A weekly alert that contains in-depth news, information, insight and analysis on the most critical education related issues and topics facing Florida.

Families are paying more for college. How are they footing the bill?

Students who hail from Florida pay $26,866 a year on average for public state institutions if they live on campus, up more than $700 dollars from last school year. For those who live off campus, that bill rose nearly $600. While Florida universities are touted for having one of the most stable tuition costs for its students, according to College Board research, tuition costs through America are rising and the ways families are paying for it are shifting. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

How safe is living off campus? A look at Florida college safety measures

Thousands of students across the state are in the midst of establishing their college residence as classes get ready to begin. While many will be living on campus, an even larger number will be living off-campus. About 75% of college students in Florida live off campus, according to a review of major Florida universities. With that, comes the extra worry for parents — how safe is my child? [Source: Florida Today]

Florida allocates $2.4 million to expand statewide debate initiative

Florida is putting $2.4 million in state funding toward speech and debate programs during the 2026-27 school year, with the goal of expanding access across all 67 school districts. The money will support the Florida Debate Initiative, a Central Florida-based nonprofit that runs debate tournaments, student programs and training for teachers and coaches. The funding is intended to expand access to competitive debate for students who have had fewer opportunities to participate, including ESOL students and those in rural and high-need communities. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]

Florida first state to sign higher education ‘Call to Action’

Florida became the first state on Tuesday to respond to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s “Call to Action.” Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a Tuesday roundtable event at New College of Florida that all public college and university presidents signed onto the joint statement. In a letter earlier this month, McMahon asked all university presidents and governing boards to address a series of questions and “describe to the American public your commitments to rigorous teaching, pathbreaking research and national service.” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Cursive writing and autism-specific teacher training among new laws for the new school year

As Florida students settle back into their desks, there are a few new laws on the books, including required testing of cursive writing and providing teachers more training to work with students with autism. Take a look at which Florida education laws the Legislature and governor approved this spring to go into effect over the summer. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› USF receives $5 million gift to name Tyson-Martin Eye Institute, expand ophthalmology care
 [Florida Trend]
The University of South Florida has received a $5 million gift to name the USF Health Tyson-Martin Eye Institute and support the growth of ophthalmology education, training and patient care at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. The gift from USF alums Caroline Sue “Suzi” Martin and her son, Dr. Farrell “Toby” Tyson, will also name future satellite clinics, establish the Tyson-Martin Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology and enhance the Ophthalmology Medicine Fund. USF celebrated the naming of the Tyson-Martin Eye Institute during a ceremony at the institute this week.

› Florida Atlantic University welcomes record number of students to Boca Raton campus [WPBF]
Florida Atlantic University is welcoming a record-breaking number of students to its Boca Raton campus in southern Palm Beach County. More than 4,700 students are moving into campus housing for the first time — the highest number in the university’s history. Also a first in FAU history is the number of residential students on its Boca Raton campus this fall: 5,400.

› New NEFBA workforce center opens to train next generation of skilled trade workers [News 4 Jax]
A new workforce education center from the Northeast Florida Builders Association opened this week on Sunbeam Road. It will train carpenters, electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians to meet growing demand across the region. The Northeast Florida Builders Association, or NEFBA, has been connecting students with training and employers for 82 years and has operated an apprenticeship program for more than 50 years.

› University of Miami plans to shatter traditional barriers [Miami Today]
The University of Miami is looking to build on recent investments in research, patient care and student development as it moves toward what Provost Joel Samuels described as its next phase of excellence. Mr. Samuels, who recently marked his first year at UM, said the university is in a strong position and has made progress in each of the three areas at the center of its mission: students, research and patients.