Around the state: A program is launching in Duval to address absenteeism, district officials hope to work with students on the cellphone policy in Broward and early childhood educators can advance their careers for free. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: The school board here recently approved an initiative to review whether district-approved curriculum contains examples of antisemitism. The move comes after the state’s public universities were ordered to review all college course materials for antisemitic content or “anti-Israeli bias.” Axios.
Broward: Superintendent Howard Hepburn said during a press conference on Tuesday that the district wants to work with students as they get accustomed to the new cellphone policy being implemented this year. School board members adopted the new policy last month that expands on the current state statute that prohibits students from using cellphones during class instruction time — unless given permission by teachers. The policy requires that students either turn off phones or leave them on airplane mode. “We don’t want it to end up in a suspension,” said Hepburn. Miami Herald.
Duval: The city of Jacksonville launched a new program on Wednesday called “Show Up to Shine,” which addresses the absenteeism issue in Duval County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said Duval county leads the state in the percentage of students who are “habitually truant.” The Florida Department of Education says Florida law defines a habitual truant as a student aged 6 to 15 who has 15 or more unexcused absences within 90 calendar days, whether or not their parent or guardian is aware. Bernier and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said the program is a call to action for the community to help combat the issue. News4Jax. Action News Jax.
Pasco: Early childhood educators can further their careers for free. “We know that teacher salaries are a little tight and can make it difficult for teachers in return, so the early learning coalition wanted to offer that opportunity and support to our teachers,” said Samantha Dominguez, the Early Education Adviser at the ELC of Pasco and Hernando counties. ABC Action News.
Collier: Teachers and staff greeted students during the first day of school at Palmetto Elementary School in Naples earlier this week. Naples Daily News.
Sarasota: Superintendent Terry Connor talked about his goals for the 2024-25 school year, which include academic achievement with a focus on literacy, safe schools and enhancing options for students. ABC Action News.
Leon: The school district here is the first to use WeatherSTEM systems to monitor weather conditions in 2019, and will now be the first to receive the latest alert system offered by the local company. The new system will be used at the district’s Gene Cox Stadium to alert attendees of impending weather conditions in real time. The stadium, where the county’s five public high schools play football, is the first location where the system has been installed, the company CEO said Tuesday. Superintendent Rocky Hanna said the system will serve as support in addition to the district’s communications with the National Weather Service. Tallahassee Democrat.
Colleges and universities: This week, the University of Florida’s student newspaper reported that former university President Ben Sasse spent millions of the school’s money to hire GOP political allies. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions on schools: What teachers, administrators, school board members and candidates-hopeful, the superintendent, the governor and Florida education commissioner, the president and the U.S. secretary of education should do is lead, develop curriculum, and offer supportive materials (books or otherwise) that acknowledge difference in race, gender, migration, and economic class in a way that assures these characteristics are assets instead of liabilities in life as they have been (acknowledged or not) for hundreds of years. Nikesha Elise Williams, Jax Today.
