Florida SAT scores fall in 2024, continuing ‘COVID slide’
Florida’s SAT scores fell again this year, continuing a downward trend that experts fear stems from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state students. The state’s average SAT score dropped to 948 out of 1600, an 18-point decline from 2023, according to recently released data from the College Board, makers of the SAT. The dip mirrors the national trend and represents the third year in a row that Florida SAT scores declined. More from the Orlando Sentinel and WFLA.
How will a second Trump presidency impact education in Florida?
While it’s not yet clear how Trump’s campaign promises will translate to policy, some of his pledges echo sentiments behind the conservative effort over the last few years to overhaul education in Florida. Trump’s official platform states an intention to dismantle the Department of Education and “return” education governance to each state. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida recognizes university Purple Star Campuses in commitment to veterans, military families
Nine Florida universities have earned the distinction of Purple Star Campuses, which recognizes colleges that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military students and their families. FAMU, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, UCF, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida and University of West Florida are the Purple Star Campuses in Florida. [Source: WUSF]
Florida education officials report hundreds of books pulled from school libraries
Recent changes to state law have empowered parents and residents to challenge school library books and required districts to submit an annual report to the state detailing which books have been restricted in their schools. Florida continues to lead the country in pulling books from school libraries, according to analyses by the American Library Association and the advocacy group PEN America. More from the AP and the Florida Phoenix.
Florida holds 3 of the best college towns in the U.S., study says
Researchers looked into a range of factors including cost of living, crime rate and quality of higher education in the city. Orlando, Tampa and Miami all made it into the top 10 large cities for college students. Orlando was the Florida city with the highest spot – at No. 3 overall. Despite being a big city, it remarkably has the 19th-cheapest tuition, including room and board for in-state students at just $24,036 per year, analysts found. [Source: NBC Miami]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida's school cellphone ban stokes controversy in Parkland
Over the summer, Florida’s Broward County Public Schools made the decision to ban students from using cellphones and other communication devices for the entire school day. Students are to keep phones off or in airplane mode the entire day and relinquish them to designated areas or face disciplinary action. The new policy, which went into effect in August, quickly sparked debate among parents, students, teachers and administrators.
› UF, UCF, Embry-Riddle launch Florida space research group with NASA's Kennedy Space Center
Days after a suite of scientific experiments arrived at the International Space Station after taking flight from the Space Coast, Florida officials launched a new university-level space research consortium with eyes to the future. The University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will facilitate the awarding of NASA research grants in partnership with Kennedy Space Center as "the state’s official space research entity."
› United Way Miami and Achieve Miami team up for Teacher Accelerator Program to combat teacher shortage in Florida
A new partnership in South Florida is helping a local veteran go from the battlefield to the classroom. In Miami-Dade County, there is a classroom teacher shortage and a partnership between United Way Miami and Achieve Miami is trying to ease that shortage. And it’s all thanks to Achieve Miami’s “Teacher Accelerator program.” The program provides job training and assigns qualified individuals to public schools in Miami-Dade County.
› ‘Zero tolerance:’ Orange County Public Schools urges parents to review threat and weapons course
Orange County Public Schools is urging parents to take the district’s new threats and weapons course so there is no room for misunderstanding. The details come from a new threats and weapons course OCPS middle and high school students were urged to take last month. Elementary school students are supposed to have a more “age-appropriate” review of changes.