Florida poised to give students a new college entry test option
The big story: Florida students soon could have another avenue to gain access to the state’s public universities.
Already given provisional approval, the Classic Learning Test is up this week for final consideration as an entry test option for applicants to schools in the state system. Students already can use the SAT and ACT exams.
The lesser known CLT, which is accepted primarily at small religious colleges and universities, came into play during the spring as Gov. Ron DeSantis sparred with College Board, the organization that operates SAT. DeSantis spoke of providing other choices, and lawmakers followed by adding CLT to state law.
The State Board of Education recently incorporated CLT scores into rules for Bright Futures scholarship eligibility and graduation test requirements.
The State University System Board of Governors is slated to debate the concept on Friday. It would become the first state system to adopt the CLT. Read more from the NY Times and The Hill.
Hot topics
Hurricane aftermath: Pinellas County students won’t have to make up time missed because of Hurricane Idalia. • Lee County schools will have two full hurricane makeup days, WINK reports.
LGBTQ+ rules: The Alachua County School Board is attempting to write guidelines for handling LGBTQ+ student rights and responsibilities in a way that meets student needs while also adhering to strict state laws, the Gainesville Sun reports. • The Miami-Dade County School Board rejected a resolution recognizing LGBTQ+ History Month for the second year in a row, WPLG reports.
Library books: The Indian River County school district has removed 34 books from its libraries after the School Board heard explicit readings at a recent meeting, while another nine titles have been pulled for review, TC Palm reports.
Political influence: Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed one of the Moms for Liberty co-founders to serve on the Florida Ethics Commission, News Service of Florida reports.
Race relations: The Flagler County school district has ended its investigation into a segregated assembly at an elementary school, with plans to recommend next steps by the end of the week, WKMG reports.
Resignations: A new national survey showed nearly half of Florida university faculty plan to seek employment outside the state within the next year. The political climate is a key factor. • School districts across northwest Florida have seen teachers leave their jobs in the first month of the academic year, WEAR reports.
Teacher unions: Federal agents are investigating Duval Teachers United over possible misappropriation of funds, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Tutoring: The Hillsborough County school district is among a growing number of districts across the nation to drop the online tutoring firm Paper amid concerns over quality and cost, Chalkbeat reports.
Other school news
A St. Johns County high school is shifting its schedule by 15 minutes. It’s trying to adjust to bad traffic in the area, WTLV reports.
Student homelessness is on the rise in central Florida. Some districts have seen their numbers nearly double in a year, WFTV reports.
The Alachua County school district is looking to redraw attendance zones to cope with crowding. Newly released data suggests the effort might not achieve its intended goal, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Two staff members at a Martin County high school have been removed from their posts over a search for vaping materials. A teacher and the principal are under investigation amid accusations that they told students to remove their clothing down to their underwear as part of the search, TC Palm reports.
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Before you go ... Funny, I don’t remember the green Army men in “Toy Story” having quite the chops.
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