Homeschooling is booming in Florida
From 2017 to 2022, Florida’s homeschool population grew nearly 70 times faster than the state’s public school enrollment and was among the highest rates in the nation. Tampa Bay is now a haven for homeschoolers. Nearly 11,000 homeschool students live in Hillsborough alone — more than any other school district in Florida. To understand what’s behind the explosive growth, the Tampa Bay Times spoke with two dozen families from across the region who have chosen to teach their kids at home. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida professors challenge changes to tenure as unconstitutional
Three professors this week filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2023 law that revised tenure in Florida’s university system, arguing that the Legislature overstepped its authority in approving changes. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Leon County circuit court by professors from New College of Florida, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, contends that the Legislature unconstitutionally infringed on the authority of the state university system’s Board of Governors in passing the law. More from the News Service of Florida and Florida Politics.
Florida universities ordered to review courses for antisemitism, anti-Israel bias
The leader of Florida’s higher education system is directing the state’s universities to take aim at antisemitism and anti-Israel bias in their classrooms, in a move that some critics fear will threaten academic freedom. Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the state university system, sent an email to university presidents Friday outlining a two-pronged approach for reviewing courses with a focus on those that tackle topics like Israel, Palestine and Zionism. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
When does Florida’s ‘Tax Free’ holiday end? How much longer you have to buy school supplies
Florida Fifty-nine out of Florida's 67 counties will start the 2024-2025 school year on the first possible date — Aug. 12. By law, the earliest schools can start in the state is Aug. 10, which falls on a Saturday this year. This gives residents less than a week to finish up their school shopping. Luckily, Florida's tax-free week is still going on for students, parents and educators but you better act fast. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
National teachers unions target Florida’s pronoun law in lawsuit
Accusing Florida of “dangerous political theater,” state and national teachers unions have urged an appeals court to side with a transgender Hillsborough County teacher who challenged a law requiring educators to use pronouns that align with their sex assigned at birth. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Northwest Florida State College plans 2 town halls as it begins search for next president
Northwest Florida State College is seeking community feedback as it searches for its next president. Beginning on Aug. 12, NWFSC, along with Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, will host the first of two town halls open to all community members to gather information that the NWFSC board of trustees will use as they begin their search for the next president.
› Program that provides fresh fruits, veggies in Central Florida schools is expanding
A special program that stretches access to fresh fruits and vegetables in Central Florida schools, at no cost, is expanding. The program called Fly Beyond provided fresh fruits and vegetables in a farmers-market type setup to more than 50,000 kids and families last school year. Now, with an additional $475,000 dollar grant from Wawa, the program will expand into five more schools, for a total of 40 in the region.
› Hillsborough commission must put school tax referendum on ballot, judge rules
Hillsborough County Public Schools can ask voters for a property tax increase this November, a judge ruled on Friday. Circuit Judge Emily Peacock issued an order saying the Hillsborough County Commission must meet no later than Aug. 13 to adopt a resolution that would place the school district’s property tax referendum on the ballot.
› Florida Tech investing more than $4 million in aviation programs to help global pilot shortage
Florida Tech is investing big bucks to help fill the global shortage of pilots. Projections show a shortage of up to 50,000 pilots by 2025. The university is now bringing in state-of-the-art training tools so that its students can fill the gap. On Tuesday, the university held a special ceremony to welcome eight brand-new Piper Pilot 100i aircraft to Florida Tech in Melbourne.