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

Florida proposes rule requiring all public colleges to adopt AI policies

The Florida Department of Education is proposing a rule to require all public colleges in the state to adopt policies addressing artificial intelligence. DOE wants all 28 institutions in the Florida College System to outline AI policies for students, staff and guests on campus, covering academic integrity and dishonesty, course assignments and grading. DOE is already in the process of directing all K-12 school districts to incorporate rules regarding AI in their internet safety guidelines as well. [Source: News Service of Florida]

College is back in Florida. Here are 3 things to know

The end of August means it’s back-to-school season for Florida’s college students. Florida’s higher education landscape has evolved over the last year, from new buildings to changing leadership to tragedies that rocked campus communities. Here’s what you need to know about what fall semester could bring. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Supersonic sound

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a new model for understanding how to reduce extreme supersonic jet aircraft noise levels, a breakthrough with implications for civilian and military aviation safety. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, found that as some supersonic jets descend toward the ground, exhaust plumes interact with landing surfaces and generate intense noise, often exceeding 140 decibels, which poses serious dangers to both aircraft structure and nearby personnel. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida continues push to repeal four required vaccines for public, private schools

The state of Florida wants to remove four immunizations from entry requirements for PreK-12 public and private schools. The Florida Department of Health is proposing a rule to remove hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance, a move that has been in play for almost a year after Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced his intent to get rid of all vaccine mandates in the state. [Source: CBS News]

Gov. DeSantis wants to grow education pipeline to prepare workforce for next disaster

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to strengthen the higher education pipeline to get people ready for careers in emergency management to help with Florida’s next disaster. “There’s not a state in the country that has a more multifaceted approach to disaster response and emergency management than the state of Florida, so we want to keep that momentum going,” DeSantis said at a news conference rolling out a program at Florida International University. More from  Florida Politicsand WCTV.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Pine View School ranked No. 1 high school in Florida [My Suncoast]
A Sarasota County high school is now ranked the best in Florida, according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication surveyed more than 1,300 schools statewide, looking at factors including college readiness and performance on state assessments. Pine View School received the No. 1 ranking. Pine View serves gifted students in grades two through 12. Principal Dr. Stephen Covert said what happens inside the classroom is what sets the school apart.

› Miami-Dade to determine if 27 more schools should keep operating [USA Today]
As enrollment continues to decline, the Miami-Dade School District is considering whether more than 20 schools should keep operating. The school board voted to close nine schools last year, and 27 are now being evaluated to determine whether they should “remain operational,” according to the Attendance Boundary Committee.

› See renderings of Hillsborough College’s ‘reimagined’ Dale Mabry campus [Tampa Bay Times]
Hillsborough College on Wednesday released renderings of a “reimagined” Dale Mabry campus. The campus is the site of the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium and mixed-use district. Hillsborough College president Ken Atwater said in a statement that the ballpark project provides an opportunity for the school to invest in a modern, student-centered campus.

› Enrollment in Central Florida public schools falls by nearly 12,000 students [Orlando Sentinel]
Enrollment in Central Florida’s public schools dropped by nearly 12,000 students this school year, according to pupil counts from the first 10 days of school, continuing a trend that has led to millions of dollars in funding cuts and the shuttering of some campuses. Orange County Superintendent Maria Vazquez said Tuesday her district was down 7,672 students — more than double the loss the state projected.