Florida reading, math scores fall to lowest mark in more than 20 years on nation’s report card
Florida’s students scored significantly worse on national reading tests taken last year compared to peers two years earlier, mirroring a continuing national decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, data released Wednesday morning shows. The Sunshine State’s eighth graders also struggled on the national math test, posting the state’s lowest scores in 20 years. Those middle schoolers’ reading scores dropped to the lowest recorded in more than 25 years. The state’s fourth grade reading score fell to the lowest mark since 2003. Those students’ math score was about the same as two years ago, but still short of pre-pandemic numbers. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and NBC 2.
Florida lawmakers consider repealing in-state tuition for undocumented students
In a special legislative session that began Monday, Florida lawmakers debated bills that could revoke in-state tuition benefits for undocumented college students, often referred to as Dreamers. The 2014 law currently allows the students to access reduced tuition rates is now at risk of repeal. [Source: WUFT]
Florida educators, students speak out against curriculum changes
Educators, students and advocates across the Florida higher education system spoke out Monday against the recent removal by the state of hundreds of general education courses that touch on race, gender, and sexual orientation, calling the restrictions "censorship" during a webinar hosted by the United Faculty of Florida union. [Source: ABC News]
Executive order to freeze funding felt in Florida at universities, programs and more
Local governments, schools and nonprofits around the country - including in Florida - went into a panic after learning President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday to pause federal loans and grants while his administration conducts ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. A federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze minutes before it was to go into effect, but not before confusion set in to those worried their financial lifeline was in jeopardy. The pause lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. [Source: WUSF]
Former University of Florida administrator set to be deputy education secretary
The former University of Florida administrator, who proposed changes to PK Yonge’s admissions process, is on her way to Washington D.C. Former vice president for PK-12 and pre-bachelors programs Penny Schwinn faces a Senate hearing to confirm her appointment as President Trump’s deputy education secretary. The plan for a selective admissions process to PK Yonge was met with opposition from many parents and after Ben Sasse left as president, it is on hold. [Source: WCJB]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› UCF, Embry-Riddle among fastest-growing universities in state
Central Florida's higher education enrollment continues to grow, with two local institutions among the fastest-growing in the state. According to data from the Department of Education, the University of Central Florida saw the largest increase in full-time equivalent enrollment from 2014 to 2023 in the state — increasing by 7,128 to 55,513 — just ahead of the University of South Florida, which gained 7,054 students in the same period.
› School districts unsure if students will have to make up missed snow days
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa County Schools returned to the classroom Monday, but administrators are still unsure if make up days will be required for the four snow days last week in which students were out of the classroom. In Santa Rosa County, Superintendent Karen Barber said the school district builds storm days into the calendar each year to account for situations like Winter Storm Enzo, which brought upwards of 10 inches of snow and low temperatures to the area.
› Immigration agents at schools? Tampa Bay schools get prepared
Word spread quickly across social media Jan. 24 that federal immigration agents had come to Clearwater High School. School district and law enforcement officials said the incident never took place. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said such false reports have cropped up across the nation. But the idea that an immigration enforcement action might take place at a school, which until only days earlier had been considered a “protected area” by the Department of Homeland Security, sent chills through Tampa Bay.
› Former residents of UF graduate housing push back over demolition plans
Chemistry graduate student Derek LaMontagne has been advocating relentlessly for the University of Florida to stop its plans from demolishing Maguire Village and University Village South. After finding out the University of Florida’s board of trustees had allocated $10 million to demolish the graduate housing property in December, he feels like he's fighting a losing battle.