Florida school districts look to close under-enrolled campuses
In Florida and across the nation, school districts have experienced declining enrollment as families consider other education options for their children, among other factors. It’s led to a debate over the need to shutter under-capacity, often low-performing schools. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
A battle over Florida’s general education courses
Critics have raised many concerns about Florida’s SB 266, which cut off funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programming, introduced post-tenure review for faculty members, and undercut collective bargaining. But its provision to reshape the general education curriculum has gone relatively unnoticed, playing out quietly on campuses over the summer and fall in a process that some faculty see as a betrayal of shared governance norms. [Source: Inside Higher Ed]
Demand for high school sports officials in Florida tests associations
Growth in school sports programs is outpacing that of the number of officials. It’s a statewide problem in all sports, said Justin Harrison, the associate executive director of the Florida High School Athletic Association. While there are enough registered officials to cover games, “when you factor potential injuries, family commitment conflicts, work conflicts … a shortage is created,” he said. [Source: Your Observer]
Addressing Florida’s teacher shortage with a new Early Childhood Education degree program
Florida schools opened this fall with an estimated 5,000 unfilled teaching positions – proof that training new teachers is more crucial than ever in the Sunshine State. The University of Florida’s College of Education is meeting this challenge by offering a fully online program that helps equip current and future educators with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education – along with options for certifications and endorsements in high-need areas. [Source: UF News]
Florida lawmakers propose federal standards for notifying parents of school emergencies
Three South Florida lawmakers are collaborating to set new federal standards for notifying parents and guardians about school emergencies, from shootings and bomb threats to sex offenses and natural disasters. The bipartisan School Safety Notification System Act — introduced by U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Mario Díaz-Balart of Florida, along with Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — is meant to streamline and uniformize school emergency alert procedures. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› From a homeless shelter to college, a Florida teen makes a new start
After packing all her clothes in a donated suitcase, Kenneisah Cummings, 18, sat on her bottom bunk in the group home, opened her laptop and started to sob. The next morning, her mentor would drive her more than two hours south, to start at Florida SouthWestern State. But before she went to bed, she had to write her first college essay: My personal journey.
› UF biomedical engineer inducted into prestigious National Academy of Engineering
Christine Schmidt, a UF distinguished professor, was honored Sunday among some of the country’s most notable engineers when she was formally inducted into the 2024 class of the National Academy of Engineering. The prestigious recognition celebrates her more than 25 years of improving lives through neural tissue engineering and wound healing.
› FAU interim president gets a $100,000 bonus and contract extension
Florida Atlantic University’s interim president received a $100,000 bonus this week as well as a contract extension that will keep her in the top job through sometime next year. The bonus for Stacy Volnick will be on top of her $525,000 base salary. Her contract, which currently expires Dec. 31, has been extended until a new permanent president is hired, which is expected to happen in the first half of 2025.
› Orange schools look to expel, send to alternative programs students who threaten campuses
The Orange County school district plans to impose stricter punishments on students who threaten schools and will again discuss whether putting a walk-through weapons detection system at its high schools makes sense as it deals with a wave of threats and gun arrests.
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