The big story: With homeschooling on the rise, Pasco County schools last year looked for ways to bring those students into their classrooms, if only for a single class.
The Flex Education program began with 34 high school Advanced Placement courses, available for a price to teens who received state-funded vouchers and free to those who don’t take the money.
It started slowly. Four students took six courses during the first two semesters.
That hasn’t deterred the district from growing its initiative.
On Tuesday, the school board approved expanding the offerings to include career and technical education classes, Cambridge AICE courses and other middle and high school courses where space is available
It also added elementary art, computer science, music and physical education. As before, families with vouchers would pay a fee, as permitted in state law that allows voucher funds to be used for contracted services from school districts.
Board members said they like the idea of helping students and families make educational choices that suit their needs, however many it might be.
“We’re not just creating a pathway for our (voucher) and homeschool students to take classes on our campuses,” said board member Jessica Wright. “We’re also communicating directly with those families, we’re partnering with them, so that parents can really have the most unique setting for their child that they think is appropriate.”
A growing number of districts in Florida have started offering similar services.
Hot topics
UF president search: The head of Florida’s Board of Governors has called for a delay in deciding UF’s next president. He says it’s not about the person selected.
Testing: Pasco County teens taking accelerated high school courses won’t be required to take the associated tests next year, as initially proposed. School board members nixed changes to their policy, saying they want more input before making a decision.
Superintendents: Hillsborough County voters will decide in November whether to return to an elected superintendent. Few were around to recall the reasons why the district converted to an appointed leader 60 years ago.
Security: Catholic schools in Miami-Dade County received $15 million for security improvements, The Florida Catholic reports. • A Gadsden County elementary P.E. teacher says becoming a trained school guardian has given her a new perspective on her job, WTXL reports.
School closures: Nine schools in Miami-Dade County will close and several others will combine under a sweeping rezoning plan the school board unanimously approved, WPLG reports.
Salaries: The Orange County school district might have extra money to support teacher salaries, if lawsuit settlements regarding allegations of excessive property tax charges cost less than anticipated, Orlando Weekly reports.
Non-discrimination clauses: Two Flagler County school board members signaled support for the University of North Florida’s decision to remove “sexual orientation” as a protected class in the agencies’ non-discrimination agreement, Flagler Live reports.
Law school: Florida A&M University’s struggling law school has a new leader, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Simone Marstiller has held leadership roles in the administrations of governors Jeb Bush and Ron DeSantis.
High school sports: The Alachua County school board ended lengthy negotiations for the possible purchase of a city-owned sports field, the Gainesville Sun reports. The field has been used by three high schools for decades.
From the court docket ... The St. Johns County school principal who was removed from her job over use of a rap quote in the yearbook has sued the district, Jacksonville Today reports. • An administrative judge has recommended the reinstatement of a Martin County teacher who was fired over social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, WPBF reports.
In their own words
“Who’s going to take those calls? Who do I even contact? Who do I even call? I don’t know.” — Richard LaBelle, CEO of the Family Network on Disabilities, on federal plans to shift enforcement of special education laws (WEAR)
“The teacher is still the expert, but they’re able to put some of these things into these tools and get it done a lot more quickly.” — Gary Brady, Hillsborough County schools chief academic officer, on training educators to use AI (Bay News 9)
“It will be different, to say the least, to no longer see the USF identity on US 41.” — Rick Piccolo, USF Sarasota Manatee campus board chairperson, on plans to hand the campus to New College (WUSF)
Quick quiz
Seven Florida International University students are facing disciplinary action over their springtime protest of federal immigration enforcement activity on their campus. What are they accused of doing wrong?
a) Opposing university policy
b) Expressing their opinion indoors
c) Disrupting a campus event
Find the answer in this story from WLRN.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
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