Florida lawmakers drop the diversity and equity signals from a higher-level bill

The big story: Just when you thought you knew what lawmakers planned for Florida’s higher education system, they went and changed the narrative.

With tenure revision bills stalled and several majors eliminated, a Senate committee passed a complete deletion and replacement bill that smoothed some rough points in the procedure. Among recent revisions, the Senate removed wording referring to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

A proposed ban on these concepts has raised concerns that schools could lose accreditation as a result.

The general strike, which was common in years past, is an unusual move in the current legislative session, which features an overwhelmingly Republican majority. Most of the prominent education bills Gov. Ron DeSantis has supported, such as public vouchers, have been expedited through the system with few significant modifications.

Now the Senate and House of Representatives have different versions of the reform underway. They have a little longer than two weeks to resolve it. Read more here.

Florida State University professors have warned that the state’s higher education system You could experience a brain drain If lawmakers continue down the path of changing the way subjects are taught, WFSU reports.

In other higher education news, Florida Gulf Coast University Students told school trustees they feared so would Henry Mack, a finalist for president Depriving marginalized students of their rights By sticking to Governor Ron DeSantis’ agenda, the WGCU reports. Mack is a Senior Adviser at the Department of Education.

Saint Petersburg College announced that it will target five Pinellas County high schools serving low-income communities with free degree programs for graduates of 2023.

New Florida College Appointed committee members To search for a full-time chief, WUSF reports.

a Senate Committee Advanced legislation to establish an office for Organizing the diversity of speakers Appearing in state colleges and universities, Florida Politics reports.

Exciting topics

School choice: A private school in Pinellas County has seen a surge of interest after lawmakers expanded vouchers for all students. There are no teachers, no classes, and no homework. • The Hillsborough District is preparing to close the low-enrollment F-rated Just Elementary School and expand the grade levels served by the popular Carrollwood Elementary. • The Alachua County School Board has begun looking at ways to use its magnet schools Help reduce campus congestionWUFT Reports.

Book challenges: The Brevard County School Board decided so Leave the media professionals off A countywide committee was created to review the book’s challenges, Florida Today reports. • Citrus County School Board accredited Revisions to the Objectionable Materials Policy To comply with the new state law, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. • Escambia County School District More than 100 writers face challenges, reported the Pensacola News-Journal. • Florida school districts have rejected Bible challenges based on that mandate The law allows this for secular educational purposes. Two Pinellas residents wonder if having a Bible in a library qualifies for the same protection.

race relations: Palm Beach County school district Rewrite its own copyright policy To focus on Promises to Every Child, rather than the dismantling of white advantage, WTVX reports. It is acting in response to state directives.

Bathrooms: The Duval County School District Commission has begun discussions about a policy to prevent transgender students from using the restrooms according to their gender identityWJXT Reports. • Legal experts say efforts by the legislature to restrict use of school restrooms based on sex assigned at birth It can be convicted in court The USA Today Florida Network reported that a Republican lawmaker insulted transgender people while debating the bill.

Moderators: Manatee County School District announced 12 qualified for the semi-finals A report by the Bradenton Herald.

Board Policy: The Polk County School Board member who has courted controversy with her anti-mask views during COVID has announced that she will not seek re-election and endorsed a candidate to succeed herLakeland Now reports.

Other school news

A middle school teacher in Hernando County has been suspended amid concerns about a comment made by a classmate. Officials said the teacher posed no threat, but neither did the parents to ask for more detailsBay News reports 9.

The Santa Rosa County school district will launch middle school sports in the fall. Students and parents were asking for an addition for a decadereported the Pensacola News-Journal.

Broward County schools will be closed Thursday. Heavy rains and floods prompted the decision, the Miami Herald reports.

Today in Tallahassee… complete a house It meets at 9 a.m. with a lengthy special order calendar that includes HB 829 on the Operation and Administration of Baker Law. • the Senate Appropriations Committee SB 926 will consider the Florida Virtual School when it meets at 10:30 a.m

From the police spot… An Orange County elementary school counselor has been arrested on charges Possessing and sending child pornographyWFLA Reports.

Never miss a story. Here is a link to yesterday’s report.

before you go … Taylor Swift is in Tampa this weekend. Hillsborough Schools principal Addison Davis warned students not to miss school on Friday after spending a long night enjoying Thursday’s show. Are you not heading to Raymond James Stadium? Here’s one of her latest audio releases for you to enjoy.

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