A weekly alert that contains in-depth news, information, insight and analysis on the most critical education related issues and topics facing Florida.<\/p>\n
Florida school choice system marks 25 years, with plans to grow<\/p>\n
Twenty-five years ago this month, Florida\u2019s tax credit scholarship program went into effect. All told, more than 540,000 students take advantage of the model, which runs over $5 billion annually \u2014 the largest of its kind in the nation. And the initiative is poised to grow again next year, despite ongoing opposition among public education advocates. [Source: Tampa Bay Times<\/a>]<\/p>\n Appeals court rejects Florida case against federal higher education rules<\/p>\n A federal appeals court Monday rejected Florida\u2019s push to throw out federal rules for accreditation agencies for public universities. The unanimous decision of a three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2024 lower court ruling that found the federal accreditation structure to be constitutional. The argument from Florida that accreditation agencies were making decisions on eligibility for federal funds through the Higher Education Act of 1965 meant they were acting as agents of the federal government didn\u2019t persuade the court. More from the Orlando Sentinel<\/a> and Bloomberg Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n Column:\u00a0Florida\u2019s education spending demands an honest reckoning<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s economy is evolving, and preparing students for careers in finance, aerospace, and skilled trades is a worthy goal. But before Florida launches another round of initiatives, a more important question deserves an answer: What happened to all the others? Students in Florida\u2019s district public schools already have access to career academies, dual enrollment, industry certifications, apprenticeship opportunities, individualized academic advising, and evidence-based reading programs. [Source: Naples Daily News<\/a>]<\/p>\n See also: Federal court blocks Florida law banning \u2018woke\u2019 instruction at colleges<\/p>\n A federal appeals court Tuesday kept in place a district court\u2019s preliminary injunction on Florida\u2019s law banning \u201cwoke\u201d instruction at public universities. A 2-1 ruling from the three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Florida\u2019s assertion it could control the speech of its employees, including college professors, to be \u201ca breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse in the very places the state\u2019s own statutes recognize as centers of inquiry.\u201d More from the Tampa Bay Times<\/a>and WCTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cExploring all options\u201d: Advocates vow to fight Florida state college ban on undocumented students<\/p>\n Students will need to prove their lawful status in order to enroll in the state’s public college system or adult education programs. The Florida State Board of Education approved the changes last week, with all but one board member, Daniel Foghanoli, voting for the amendments. It’s unclear whether the new requirements will apply to current students or only to new applicants. The Florida Board of Education approved the change amid public outcry and some lawmakers calling the move a violation of state law. More from WUSF<\/a> and WFTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n ALSO AROUND FLORIDA: <\/p>\n \u203a Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras offering college scholarship<\/a> [Florida Times-Union] \u203a Orange County School Board may ban e-bikes at elementary, middle schools<\/a> [Orlando Sentinel]
\u00bb Florida\u2019s school choice program offers universal vouchers but cannot show systemwide academic improvement <\/a><\/p>\n
Through the continued partnership between VyStar Credit Union, the JSYO and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, one outstanding student will again receive a four-year VyStar JSYO Scholarship. This award covers 120 credit hours of tuition at any Florida public college or university, helping remove financial barriers that too often stand between young people and their educational dreams.<\/p>\n
The Orange County School Board considered a sweeping proposal Tuesday to regulate electric bikes and scooters \u2014 vehicles that thousands of students now ride to campus. Citing safety concerns, school district staff recommended the board prohibit the electric vehicles on elementary school campuses, require students to get a permit for their e-bikes and scooters \u2014 obtainable only after watching a safety video \u2014 and ban the fastest bikes. But board members agreed any ban should extend to middle school, and that students should have a driver\u2019s license to park such vehicles on campus.<\/p>\n