Florida’s state universities have been doing a lot of thinking about science, technology, engineering and mathematics education recently, spurred by Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature’s interest in turning out more graduates ready for high-tech jobs. Last week WUSF Mark Schreiner profiled a University of South Florida researcher trying to figure out what attracts students […]
Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon said state lawmakers trying to benefit their own parochial interests have muddied the mission of the state’s higher education system. Cannon, R-Winter Park, said the House will study how to improve the system because the state’s economy is tied to a “strong and dynamic” higher education system, according to prepared […]
Gov. Rick Scott’s speech is scheduled to start at 11:30. We’re keeping an eye on education issues, including the budget, higher education, school choice and legislative issues. Follow it here: Florida State of the State
The biggest issues affecting education debate in Tallahassee this year may have nothing to do with classrooms. The once-every-ten-years redistricting, South Florida casinos and overhauling state insurance rules should provoke contentious debate, lawmakers and education advocates said. Those bills could squeeze out education as the session’s marquee issue. Last year the Legislature approved a sweeping […]
When Governor Rick Scott asked the state’s 11 public universities to prove their worth to him, the universities responded to the challenge. The Governor asked the schools to answer 17 questions that he says will help him craft higher education reform. And those schools have been turning in their answers. The Sun Sentinel reports the University of […]
Marketing and sales and hospitality and tourism industries will create the most jobs in Florida between 2008 and 2018, according to a new Georgetown University report. Overall, researchers expect the state will create 1.04 million jobs over the ten-year period. The report projects information technology and health science will have the fastest percentage growth over […]
Some students working on college degrees in Florida are signing a petition asking Governor Rick Scott not to sign their diplomas. The creator of the petition says it’s because of the governor’s repeated assaults on the Florida education system. Petition author Eric Curtisson writes that Scott works constantly to remove students’ rights to higher education. […]
Gov. Rick Scott is stoking his feud with social scientists, adding some data to his argument that state universities should push more students toward degrees in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields. Scott’s press office sent around a link to a Wall Street Journal collection of unemployment rates by college major. The database […]
Charles Reed says Florida’s colleges and universities have lost their way. He paints a picture of a disjointed, parochial higher education system where every university and college is out for itself, and “It’s turned into what the local chamber wants, not what the state needs.” Exhibit number one, he says: USF Polytechnic’s drive for independence. […]
Supporters of independence for USF Polytechnic in Florida have won a crucial vote by the university system Board of Governors. But they didn’t get everything they wanted. Board members voted 12 – 3 in favor of splitting Polytechnic from the University of South Florida…but not right away. USF Polytechnic has to jump over some hurdles […]
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