PUSHING A STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM: Florida lawmakers propose a new governing system for colleges and universities that focus on undergraduate education. A growing number of community colleges already is offering bachelor's degrees.

JUST DON'T CALL IT A UNIFORM: Hernando school officials want to impose a district-wide dress code for kindergarten through eighth grade. The main target is middle school girls' tops.

SETTLEMENT NEAR: The Pinellas school district is close to a $1.1-million deal with the family of a girl who was killed after she stepped off a school bus and was struck by a car while crossing the street.

THEY LIKE IT: Pasco's "undisclosed location" for a turkey dog taste test was Pine View Elementary, and the kids gave the switch to the less expensive new cafeteria offering a green light.

TOP OF THE CLASS HILLSBOROUGH: Tampa school gets A on real-life test (Folsom Elementary); Parents, official discuss school swap (Webb and Farnell middle schools); School notes (county wide)

USE SPELL CHECK: Pasco School Board candidate Peter Hanzel's campaign message was diluted by sloppy spelling on his news release, the Times editorializes.

THE TRUTH REMAINS: Florida senators can belittle the state's university leaders all they want, but it won't change the fact that the higher ed system is woefully underfunded, the Times editorializes.

DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION: A new report written for the NAACP Southeast Region, which includes Florida, finds that black people still face disparities in the public education system, the AP reports.

TEACH ABOUT SEX: Parents aren't likely to have the "big talk" with their kids anymore, so schools should offer comprehensive sex education, Palm Beach Post columnist Elisa Cramer writes.

THE RAINY DAY IS NOW: The Collier School Board dips into its reserves to ensure its bills get paid and its budget remains balanced, the Naples Daily News reports.

BUDGET AGREEMENT NEAR: Florida's House and Senate are likely to complete budget cuts for the current fiscal year today, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Education stands to be hit hardest.