Florida’s labor market adds education jobs. They’re not in public schools<\/p>\n
The latest labor data shows a bump in Florida’s education sector. Over the past year, the state added 36,400 jobs, up 2.3%, in the education and health services industry, according to data released in May by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the growth is not in public schools. The data shows that while the state added 1,400 jobs, an increase of 1.6%, in private schools, local government education services lost 5,600 jobs, a decrease of 1.6%. “This looks like a substitution effect, it’s crazy,” said Ron Hetrick, the principal economist at job market analysis firm Lightcast. [Source: WUSF<\/a>]<\/p>\n Global university rankings are out. Here\u2019s how Florida schools did<\/p>\n The U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings this morning, a list that includes more than 2,500 public and private colleges and universities across the world. Although no Florida universities made the top 100, the University of Florida barely missed the mark, tying for No. 105, up four places from last year\u2019s ranking. The University of Colorado Boulder and Norway\u2019s University of Oslo tied with Florida\u2019s flagship. [Source: Tampa Bay Times<\/a>]<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s preschool teacher shortage forces some to turn children away<\/p>\n Florida, like much of the country, has a shortage of preschool teachers. Preschools often operate on thin margins and cannot pay teachers much, making it hard to draw people into the profession. As a result, schools are turning families away, which interrupts children\u2019s early learning, leaves parents without childcare and hurts schools\u2019 bottom line, making it even harder to pay teachers more. [Source: Orlando Sentinel<\/a>]<\/p>\n New AI and drone tech aims to secure Florida schools<\/p>\n A new safety system called RADAR is being implemented at Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee. The system uses AI weapon detection, 3D campus mapping, and non-lethal drones to respond to active shooter threats. The Florida Department of Education is covering the $557,000 cost for the program’s first year. Officials hope the technology will deter potential threats and will not need to be used. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat<\/a>]<\/p>\n Free books available for Florida students ahead of summer season<\/p>\n A free literacy program is encouraging eligible families to apply by July 12 to ensure their children get 9 free books and reading activities by the end of summer. The Florida program, New World Reading, is designed to support students who aren\u2019t reading on grade level. New World Reading sends free books and activities to VPK through fifth grade students. [Source: WCJB<\/a>]<\/p>\n ALSO AROUND FLORIDA: <\/p>\n \u203a Vote on UF\u2019s next president stalls after questions over hiring practices<\/a> [Tampa Bay Times] \u203a USF board approves Sarasota-Manatee Campus transfer to New College of Florida<\/a> [WTSP]
Despite getting close to locking in the next leader of Florida\u2019s top university, the school has hit a stumbling block. The chairperson of the board that oversees Florida\u2019s university system wants to push back a vote to confirm the University of Florida\u2019s president-elect, citing what he called possible governance issues under UF\u2019s board chairperson. Alan Levine, chairperson of the Board of Governors, wrote in a letter to State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues on Wednesday that he believes a vote on Stuart Bell\u2019s confirmation, and other university matters, should be postponed.<\/p>\n
The University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees approved the transfer of its Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida on Wednesday with no formal objections. It greenlights a joint transfer and facility use agreement that takes effect July 1. The vote follows a state budget deal reached by Florida legislators in May that included the transfer of the USF campus to New College, located roughly a mile away.<\/p>\n