A new report finds Florida’s public university system is a good model in affordability for the rest of the country. Florida Rising: An Assessment of Public Universities in the Sunshine State analyzed cost, administrative and academic spending, curriculum, and graduation rates at Florida’s 11 universities. (Florida Polytechnic University – the 12th in the system – […]
As the school year is winding down, Florida school districts are looking ahead to next year and the additional funding coming their way. Almost half a billion dollars is available to boost the salaries of teachers and other personnel. Plus, spending is going up by more than $400 per student. Legislative leaders have repeatedly said “education […]
Florida spent $8,887 on each public school student in 2011, making it one of the lowest states in the nation for per-pupil spending. The totals from the U.S. Census Bureau – including federal revenue – were compiled before Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature cut about $1.3 billion from education funding. Since then, the state has […]
Gov. Rick Scott has signed a budget that’s very different than the one he’s been paying for since he authorized massive education cuts two years ago. Back then, pundits speculated Scott may have sealed his fate as a one term governor when he proposed a few billion dollars worth of cuts to education. Scott, for […]
The Florida Legislature convenes next week for its annual 60-day session. Education will be among the key issues getting lawmakers’ attention. The Miami Herald and WLRN radio hosted a town hall meeting this week in Fort Lauderdale featuring three panelists – Senate majority leader Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater; Senate minority leader Chris Smith, D-Oakland Park; and […]
Gov. Rick Scott has changed his stance on education in a few ways this year: He met the teachers’ union president for dinner and promised ongoing meetings. He returned a billion dollars to education funding. He said education is his new priority, since it will ultimately lead to job growth. Seth McKee, Associate Professor of […]
The State Board of Education had a day-long meeting in Orlando Tuesday. Here are the highlights: The Board approved a plan by the Florida Department of Education to ask lawmakers for $15.2 billion in spending next fiscal year. That’s a 4.4 percent increase over the current year. The Board figures the state’s transition to digital […]
Some Tampa Bay lawmakers are reacting with anger and defiance to a Senate proposal to cut 58 percent of state funding for the University of South Florida. Those proposed cuts are more than twice as big as the proposed reductions for other universities, according to an analysis by USF. Senate Finance Chairman J.D. Alexander of […]
As the legislative session approaches the midway point, education will take a prominent place in the Florida Legislature this week amid budget talk and proposed tuition increases. The Florida House has announced its budget proposal; now it’s the Senate’s turn. Senate President Mike Haridopolos has scheduled a series of budget subcommittee meetings as the chamber […]
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