Influence

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Education is big business. These are stories about the politicians, businesses, lobbyists and other leaders seeking to impact education decisions.

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November 1, 2011

Nearly-Deported DREAM Act Student Shamir Ali: In His Own Words

Days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told StateImpact Florida that DREAM Act student Shamir Ali was a “fugitive alien,” Ali was released from detention. We got in touch with Ali, who is now making new college plans. Ali says he shouldn’t have been facing deportation and is thankful to be out. Here’s Ali, in his own words: “I am […]

How Can More University Grads Get Hired? Gov. Scott Says He’s Listening

Gov. Rick Scott sat down for an interview with WLRN’s Phil Latzman this morning. StateImpact Florida slipped Phil a few questions. Here’s a transcript of Scott’s responses. Listen to the full interview here. Q: Studies show that half of STEM graduates — science, technology, engineering and math — choose careers in other fields. What specific […]

October 31, 2011

Florida College Student Facing Deportation Released

College student Shamir Ali has been released from a Florida detention center after being told he would be deported to Bangladesh. The decision comes after Nestor Yglesias, spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Miami told StateImpact Florida Ali was a “fugitive alien” because he ignored a previous deportation order. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials […]

Business Group Supports USF Poly Independence

A Polk County business group overwhelmingly supports the University of South Florida Polytechnic’s bid to create a new state university independent from the USF system, according to the Lakeland Ledger. State Sen. J.D. Alexander, chairman of the Senate budget committee, rallied support for an independent school after a survey of students and faculty showed a […]

October 27, 2011

From the Comments: Not All Opinions on Anthropology Are Equal

A commenter, citing a letter from a University of Florida anthropology professor, responds to the ongoing conversation about whether anthropology is a STEM study. The opinions of the groups assessing anthropology should not be treated equally: First, there are scientific organizations, institutions built, managed and participated in by a broad spectrum of scientists, united in […]

University of Florida President Suggests Alternative to Texas College Reforms

University of Florida president Bernie Machen has offered an alternative to higher education reforms floated by Gov. Rick Scott, according to a letter obtained by the Times/Herald capital bureau. Scott has yet to submit a proposal, but the Texas reforms have sparked criticisms from administration and faculty. Florida State University’s president has also drafted an […]

October 26, 2011

Three School Ideas Ohio Should Import From Florida

In the trade balance between Ohio and Florida, the Sunshine State usually imports far more than it exports. (Those imports are usually in Clearwater wearing Ohio State jerseys on Saturdays) But School Choice Ohio believes the Buckeye State should import some education ideas from Florida. The group released a Friedman Foundation report today that argues […]

October 25, 2011

Pension, Voucher Lawsuits Head to Court This Week

The Florida Education Association sends a helpful reminder that two lawsuits they filed are heading to Circuit Court in Tallahassee this week. The first case challenges a new state law which requires state employees take a 3 percent pay cut in order to pay a portion of their pension benefits. The suit argues the law […]

University of South Florida Cannot Audit Regional Campus Expenses, President Says

University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft told two state Senators that any audit of USF Polytechnic is up to the regional campus chancellor. Republican state Sens. Paula Dockery and Mike Fasano asked Genshaft to audit USF Polytechnic after learning the school hired regional chancellor Marshall Goodman’s son to run a business incubator program. The […]

October 24, 2011

Gov. Scott Not Apologizing to Anthropologists

Florida Governor Rick Scott is still answering questions after he suggested Florida colleges and universities should get less funding for social science programs, and more funding for science, engineering, technology and math programs, or STEM fields. Scott told a Miami radio station that he’s related to the angriest anthropologist he’s heard from so far. With Halloween […]

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