Education
In FL, girls did worse than boys in 4th grade math during COVID pandemic
Girls performed worse than boys in 4th grade math during the course of the COVID pandemic in Florida, according to new national data. And the difference, often described as the “achievement gap” between various demographics, widened since 2019 compared to scores in 2022. In 2019, 4th grade male students in Florida had an average scale […]
FL education issues became muddled when Crist and DeSantis sparred during this week’s debate
The Monday televised debate between Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Charlie Crist was a whirlwind of political talking points and a rowdy audience. But in the world of public education policy, what was true, what wasn’t, and which details were omitted? The Phoenix has provided clarifications and context for some of the education-focused claims […]
Nation’s report card: Alarming, appalling losses in reading, math scores; FL kids not proficient
A large majority of Florida eighth graders do not read proficiently and struggle with 8th grade-level math skills, according to a nationwide assessment of students in 2022 — an uncomfortable reality for teens unprepared for a rigorous high school schedule. A large portion of Florida’s fourth graders also struggled with math and reading skills — […]
Faculty union in FL demands UF officials release information on finalists in presidential search
Higher education union officials on Monday urged the University of Florida to release information related to its presidential search – consisting of more than 700 applicants for the position – and especially release the names of the final pool of candidates. The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) has submitted a public records request “demanding the […]
U.F.’s loudmouth leftists need to straighten up and fly right!
Did you see those ungrateful commie brats at the University of Florida hollering and hissy fit-pitching at Emerson Hall just because our wise and benevolent governor chose U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Some State Without A Coastline, to become president of their school? The students, faculty, staff, and those nosy types who think they have a […]
Biden student debt forgiveness plan on temporary hold after appeals court ruling
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from carrying out its student loan forgiveness plan, until the court makes a determination on a request for an injunction brought by six Republican-led states, according to multiple media reports. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is giving the Biden administration […]
State education meetings forecast tumultuous school policies in upcoming gubernatorial debate
In a fell swoop, Florida’s State Board of Education has approved a swath of rules that claim to improve transparency in education and bolster so-called parental rights. But LGBTQ+ advocates say the new rules are discriminatory. In the backdrop, two gubernatorial candidates will gear up for a televised debate on Monday: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, […]
Parkland shooter faces life in prison; how do we navigate the mental health conversation?
Last week, a jury in Broward County recommended sparing Nikolas Cruz, the murderer behind the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, from capital punishment. The jury recommended life in prison instead. But as with many widely covered tragedies involving extreme gun violence, myriad questions loom: How did mental health play into […]
The student debt relief application is live: Here’s what you need to know
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Monday that student loan borrowers can begin to apply for debt relief through a new online application. Biden said the application is easy and fast. It will allow every borrower with an income of $125,000 or less ($250,000 for married couples) to have up to $10,000 in debt forgiven, […]
Some 1,400 Florida schools receive $200 million in ‘school recognition’ funds
Some 1,400 Florida schools will share $200 million in state funds because they improved their grading ratings or received an ‘A’ evaluation last school year, including in areas highly damaged by by Hurricane Ian, Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted during a Monday press conference. “This is 1,400 schools throughout the state of Florida that are going […]
Lee County schools on the mend, but some may need ‘temporary’ campuses
Hard-hit counties in Southwest Florida are working to get their schools reopened so that students can finally return to classrooms after Category 4 Hurricane Ian swept through Florida and upended coastal communities. And all school districts will be open by Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a Cape Coral press conference Thursday. “Here in Lee, […]
Most schools operational post-Ian but thousands of FL students still can’t go to class
Some students are entering their second week since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida with their school closed. And while local education leaders form plans to move everyone back into the classroom, some kids may have to wait longer than others, putting their educations on hold. In some counties, the damage is so great that […]