Around the state: A wide-ranging education bill was passed recently regarding high school diploma requirements, lawmakers are working on bills to make it easier to establish charter schools in Florida, a contract that aided the mental health of students is coming to an end in Sarasota and funding cuts loom in districts. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Sarasota: The school district here is ending a longstanding contract that placed full-time mental health therapists in elementary schools at a time when demand for these services remains high. The annual contract with The Florida Center for Early Childhood, which has been in place for seven years and served more than 475 children last year, is set to expire at the end of June and will not be renewed, officials say. The district is now weighing a new approach that shifts away from the in-school therapy model that once made Sarasota a national leader in student mental health care. WUSF.
High school diploma requirements: The Florida Senate passed a wide-ranging education bill on Thursday that eliminates a requirement that high school students pass algebra and language arts tests to earn standard diplomas. Senators approved SB 166 unanimously. Halfway through the legislative session, it is unknown if the House will take up the proposal. The bill would require that a student’s performance on the English-language arts assessment make up 30 percent of the student’s course grade. Several school districts lobbied in support of the bill, which would expand eligibility for teachers' professional certificates, removes requirements for schools to have internal auditors and looks to enhance teachers recruitment. Third-graders who score a 1 out of 5 on their third and final reading progress monitoring tests could advance to fourth grade if they scored a 2 on the first two progress-monitoring tests. “If all they (students) learn how to do is take a test, then I think we have failed in our education system,” said Senate Education Pre-K-12 Chairman Corey Simon, who is sponsoring the bill. WCJB. WUFT. Florida Phoenix. Yahoo News. Tampa Bay Times.
Charter schools: Lawmakers in the state are working to pass two different bills to make establishing charter schools easier in Florida. House bill 123 and Senate Bill 140 would eliminate a requirement forcing charter schools to get approval from 50 percent of teachers before converting a public school to a charter school, among other changes. According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Education, charter schools serve 12% of the enrollment in public schools. Charter school enrollment has more than doubled over the last decade, the data shows. During the 2022-2023 school year, 23 conversion charter schools operated in Florida, representing approximately 3 percent of the total number of charter schools in the state. WPTV. WLFX. South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Also in the Legislature: An Orange County school board member is voicing concerns about Florida House Bill 5101, which, if it is passed, would ax funding for certain programs at high schools statewide. If approved, the bill would cut funding for AP, IB, Cambridge, Dual Enrollment and career and professional courses for high school students. “If these cuts go through, our students will suffer, our families will suffer, and our economy will suffer,” said Orange County School Board member Stephanie Vanos. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, said during a budget committee meeting that concerned families should talk to school district officials about how they use their money. If passed, HB 5101 would go into effect on July 1. Spectrum News.
Colleges and universities: Undocumented college students affected by the repeal of in-state tuition rates and their advocates recently appealed to lawmakers. The Florida Legislature earlier this year repealed a 2014 law allowing individuals brought into the U.S. as children without documentation, referred to as "Dreamers," to pay in-state tuition rates at Florida college and universities. The Florida Policy Institute reports that this will affect about 6,500 undergraduates. Florida Phoenix. The Florida House's proposed budget would take away funding for almost 22,000 Florida students who attend private, non-profit colleges and universities in the state. The Effective Access to Student Education Grant, or EASE, provides scholarships to Florida residents at some private, not-for-profit institutions to help ease the burden of the cost of a higher education. The proposed cut would impact students at 15 of the 30 schools that fall under this designation. WUSF. College of Central Florida launched a program that guarantees transfer admission to the University of Florida for students who successfully finish one of 19 pathways. Ocala Star-Banner. Meanwhile, the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, some of which are in the state of Florida, are wondering how to survive as cuts continue for higher education funding. The 74th.
Opinions on schools: Florida has long been a national leader in expanding educational choice, especially at the K-12 level, where policymakers have championed the right of families to select schools that best meet their children's needs. However, when it comes to higher education, that same commitment to choice is under threat. Arthur Keiser, chancellor of Keiser University.
Around the state: A school bus crash occurred in Lee, drivers in Miami are frustrated about a school bus camera program and concerns mount after a measles outbreak. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Measles outbreak: Students at Miami Palmetto Senior High say they are reducing social interactions due to concerns about a confirmed case of measles. On Tuesday, officials confirmed that the infected person is a student at the Pinecrest campus, and according to data, they are between the ages of 15 and 19. “Well, a lot of people are close together and we’re all right here, so it can spread really quickly,” said student Andrew Azaret. The news comes amid reports of measles outbreaks in at least nine other states. An email from the school's principal says that the Florida Department of Health will be hosting a free MMR immunization drive at the school's campus during the week of March 10. WPLG. CBS Miami. ABC Action News. WFLA. WINK.
Immigration enforcement: Sixty-two groups are seeking clarity on immigration enforcement at schools after President Trump's executive order in January that reversed a policy directing immigration agents to avoid locations like schools. The Florida Policy Institute says the groups have signed a letter being sent to the Florida Department of Education requesting guidance. BayNews 9. WEAR.
In the Legislature: In his annual address to the Florida Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis touted Florida as a U.S. leader in areas that included education. WLRN. Politifact.
Miami-Dade: Drivers in Miami are frustrated by a school bus camera program because drivers were being issued bogus tickets that many were unable to challenge. The contract with BusPatrol was signed in a hasty manner by the school district without a bidding process. The contract, which generates revenue for the school district, was signed only 12 days after the board asked staff to do a "feasibility study" on the program. The program is a partnership between the school district, BusPatrol and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s office. Jose Bueno, the chief of staff for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, said “This is costing taxpayers zero dollars for the school system, it is costing individuals breaking the law money, and at the end of the day it is saving lives.” Miami Herald.
Hillsborough: The Silent Book Club at Plant High meets in an attempt to allow students to seek a quiet connection. Tampa Bay Times.
Orange: During a lunch and learn at the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association Hall in Orlando, dozens of advocates and teachers decried cuts to public education. “The proposed education cuts are not just numbers. They are a direct attack on our children, especially those in low-income, rural and minority communities and we won’t stand for that,” said Maria Revelles, co-director of Mesa Boricua, an advocacy group for the Latin community. WUSF.
Lee: About two dozen elementary school students were aboard a school bus when it collided with a vehicle, sending one person to the hospital. According to a statement from the school district, "Preliminary information indicates the driver of the pickup truck was at fault." Ft. Myers News-Press. WBBH. Fox 4.
Teacher morale: A teacher morale index is helping gauge how educators feel about their profession, including those in Florida. Education Week.
School pairings: The student assignment method, known as pairing, can foster racial and socioeconomic integration, new research suggests. The 74th.
Opinions on schools: American student achievement is in a steep decline, recent national and international assessments demonstrate. Results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that only a third of students are reading at grade level. Lawmakers need to take action to improve student outcomes. Robin Berkley, The 74th.
Around the state: Students are being rewarded for volunteer service in Polk, student loan uncertainty looms and a superintendent is retiring in St. Johns. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
In the Legislature: Leadership is coming together for the Florida Legislature's upcoming session. Committee's start meeting in December. Tampa Bay Times.
Polk: Since 1976, the Silver Garland program has rewarded students for their volunteer service to the Polk County community. Applications are being taken until Dec. 1. “For many students, this may be their first true interview,” said Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing. “By treating the interview like a professional job interview, we aim to hone their interview and interpersonal skills. Plus, it’s a thrill for the interviewers to experience just how special Polk County students are.” Lakeland Ledger.
St. Johns: The school superintendent in this county recently announced he plans to retire in June. Tom Forson has had a 40-year career with the St. Johns School District that ranged from teacher to coach. "I'm proud that I served as superintendent through the pandemic. Our performance stayed high between 2020 and 2022 even though it was challenging for students, families and employees to work through a hybrid learning process," he said. The Florida Times-Union.
Book removals: During the 2023-24 school year, Florida schools removed nearly twice as many books than the year before after challenges from parents and members of the community. Schools removed 732 titles during the 2023-24 school year on top of 386 removed the year before. Twenty-three districts contributed to the list. Creative Loafing. CBS News. Tallahassee Democrat. WPBF.
Teen pleads: A California teen pleaded guilty in a Florida federal court to making threats of violence against schools. The Associated Press. CNN.
Next administration: Elon Musk's new role as chief architect of President-elect Donald Trump's plan to remake the federal government may have big implications for school usage of technology and what STEM programs may look like. Education Week.
Food removal: Consumer Reports said it "applauds" Kraft Heinz for removing Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adopt stricter standards for school lunches. “Lunchables and other lunch kits with concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals have no place on the school lunch menu,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. ABC Action News.
Colleges and universities: Over $1 million in grants from the Florida Department of Education will place FAMU and TSC education students in classroom apprenticeships. WXTL. Meanwhile, millions of federal student loan borrowers are facing uncertainty as President Biden leaves office with must of his student loan agenda tied up in the courts. NPR. The man behind the Lemony Snicket pseudonym will be at the University of Florida on Monday, Nov. 25. In a Facebook post, Daniel Handler highlighted some of the topics that he and fellow author Lauren Groff will talk about, including his new memoir, the writing process, Lemony Snicket, television and film and censorship. Main Street Daily News.
Opinions on schools: There is glaring student achievement inequality in America’s public schools. Rigorous evidence suggests that “a substantial portion of the unequal education outcomes that we see between richer and poor students is related not to home, but to what happens in school.” Charter schools are reducing that inequality by closing achievement gaps between groups and improving outcomes for all students. Bruno Manno, Philanthropy Daily. There hasn’t been much talk about Florida in recent years, at least not regarding K–12 education. The spotlight has shifted to other states, particularly Mississippi, whose remarkable progress in literacy on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) captivated the attention of reform enthusiasts. But a new paper published by AEI’s Conservative Education Reform Network (CERN), Grading Florida’s Schools: A for Achievement and Return on Investment, suggests that even as ed reform’s attention was diverted elsewhere, Florida has kept its eye on the ball and delivered good results. Robert Pondiscio, Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
