The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee got a big surprise this week. Turns out, in-state university tuition rates are already available for some undocumented immigrants. That’s the case at Florida International University. It may have strengthened the hands of opponents of an in-state tuition bill, but not enough to defeat it. Rick Stone from member station […]
A Florida lawmaker has proposed allowing students to attend college tuition-free, and then repay the cost with a percentage of their salary after graduating. The proposal has been nicknamed “Pay It Forward” tuition because students making their payments keep tuition free for future generations of college students. Students might pay their Alma mater between 2 […]
Gov. Rick Scott said he will support a Senate bill granting in-state tuition to some undocumented immigrants because the bill also would prevent universities from raising tuition above what lawmakers approve, according to the Associated Press. Lawmakers have considered in-state tuition the past several years, but the bill has never made it through both the […]
Pop-Tarts chewed into the shape of a gun would not be grounds for suspension under a bill passed Thursday by the House Education Committee. The bill is supposed to cut down on the number of students arrested because of zero tolerance policies. The ‘Toaster Pastry Gun Freedom Act’ is known as the Pop-Tart bill after […]
A Senate panel has approved changes to the state school grading formula which echo those proposed by Florida schools chief Pam Stewart, the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau reports. The bill looks similar to recommendations made last month by state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. It eliminates the bonus points schools can earn, as well as the so-called triggers […]
Former Washington Post owner Donald Graham and Miami education activist Gaby Pacheco sat down with NPR to talk about a new scholarship program for undocumented immigrants. Allowing undocumented students access to in-state tuition rates will be a big issue in the legislative session set to begin tomorrow. A court has ruled Florida can not force […]
Sondra Hulette and her granddaughter joined dozens of anti-Common Core protestors as they circled a fountain outside the Orange County school district offices last month. Inside the building, the State Board of Education was about to rename Common Core as “The Florida Standards.” But outside, Hulette and others chanted “Stop Common Core!” “Keep education local!” […]
Brevard County schools are considering 30 new middle and high school textbooks for the nationally crafted math and language arts standards known as Common Core, Florida Today reports. The standards are currently used in kindergarten through second grade, and are scheduled to be used in every Florida grade when classes start this fall. Like Brevard […]
The debate over whether to require students using one of the state’s private school scholarship programs take state standardized tests is flaring up again. Florida lawmakers want to expand the state’s private school scholarship program for low-income students funded with tax credits. But Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, thinks the scholarships should also come with […]
Florida’s move toward Common Core standards in schools is sure to be discussed during the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers will also consider allowing undocumented college students to pay cheaper, in-state tuition. Plus, state universities that improve their graduation rates may be able to boost their funding. Senate President Don Gaetz sat down with StateImpact Florida […]
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