Year-round school? Florida wants to test it out with a pilot program

A small number of Florida elementary students could start attending public school year-round as lawmakers explore starting a new pilot program. The House Choice & Innovation subcommittee voted to launch the four-year program at five school districts starting in the 2024-25 school year. The subcommittee approved HB 891 with little debate. Rep. Patricia Williams, the bill’s sponsor, said her proposed legislation looking to expand year-round school is important after Florida students’ learning was affected during the pandemic. She also said the crime rate increases for juveniles during the summer. More from Florida Politics and the News Service of Florida.

Florida isn't alone in trying to ban campus diversity programs

Florida is among 15 other states where lawmakers have filed bills that would ban efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion on college and university campuses. The Chronicle of Higher Education has launched the DEI Legislation Tracker, which shows the states that have filed bills and whether those measures pass or fail. So far, none of the bills have passed; three have failed. More from WUSF and WMFE.

Lawmakers look to help military members in higher ed

A House panel Tuesday gave initial backing to a measure that seeks to ease the transition into higher education for students in the military and dependents of military members, as a similar Senate bill continued advancing. The House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee unanimously approved the House bill (HB 845). The measure would require the State Board of Education and the state university system’s Board of Governors, which combine to oversee Florida’s colleges and universities, to establish the “Collegiate Purple Star Campuses” program. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Education groups ask Florida to stop enforcing rule regarding classroom books

Think about all of the books and other reading materials your kids may have access to in their classrooms. A rule from the Florida Board of Education says all of those materials need to be cataloged, just like all books in the school media center. Now a legal challenge says that rule goes too far. [Source: WPTV]

Bill advances to make associate degree-holders eligible for teaching certification

An effort to solve the teacher shortage crisis at the state’s public schools would mean loosening the requirement that teachers need a bachelor’s degree, according to a bill advancing in the Senate. Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud has introduced legislation (SB 244) that echoes many of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ educational priorities. It also adds news bonuses for first responders and military veterans who want to pursue a teaching career. The bill received unanimous support in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Appropriations at its second committee stop. [Source: Florida Politics]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› All eyes are on FAU thanks to its March Madness run ... is a big payoff on the horizon? [Florida Today]
From Boca Raton to Broadway and, now, maybe even beyond. Google searches for "Florida Atlantic" likely will skyrocket as the Owls make their first trip to college basketball's March Madness Sweet 16 stage Thursday night. FAU students, alums and administrators can soak it all in as the school prepares for the 9 p.m. tipoff against national powerhouse Tennessee at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

› USF student government votes ‘to stand in solidarity with our transgender peers’ [Tampa Bay Times]
The University of South Florida student government has passed a resolution that “strongly urges” the school to deny future requests from state officials regarding gender-affirming care until they explain how the information is to be used. The resolution expressed disappointment over a January letter from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget office requiring Florida’s 12 state universities to submit detailed information on all gender-affirming care they provided since 2018. USF responded to the request on Feb. 10.

› Industry links boost Miami Dade College rolls [Miami Today]
Miami Dade College enrollment has risen 3.8% compared to this time last year thanks to key programs in place. New short-term certifications and opportunities instituted to ramp up to associate and bachelor’s degrees have carried through the momentum and have attracted students, said Dr. Malou C. Harrison, the college’s executive vice president and provost.

› Jacksonville University responds to nursing shortage with new programs [Florida Times-Union]
Diagnosed with one of the country’s highest nursing shortages, Florida is a prime location for promising health care professionals in search of interesting careers. Florida’s population is growing and aging, and thousands of nurses are expected to retire in the next several years. Higher education is stepping in with a solution. The demand is for universities to deliver flexible, affordable, and specialized educational options to nurses while leveraging the latest technologies in their clinical conditioning.