Florida education news: Virtual college, summer school, social networking and more

JUNE 14, 2009

THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE: As USF's virtual classes expand, some educators worry whether students' social experiences with classmates and professors will suffer. (Times photo, Martha Rial)

A VERY BAD YEAR: Hernando's Nature Coast Technical High reflects on a down year that culminated with the reassignment of its leaders.

OPEN THE DOOR: Pinellas should keep its options open by tentatively approving a .25 mill tax increase, the Times editorializes.

VISIT FROM HOME: A new Web site allows high school students to "tour" more than 400 universities online, the Naples Daily News reports.

SUMMER SCHOOL STAYS: But Lee schools scale back their program by one-third, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

LIFE IS TOUGH: Four Jacksonville-area recent college grads find life after school ends a bumpy ride, the Florida Times-Union reports.

MORE FOR LESS: Florida university students face a year of higher costs with larger classes and fewer degree options, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

FINDING FANS: The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College begin using social networks to recruit new students, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Posted by Ron Matus at 5:39:14 am on June 14, 2009 in

Daily News Report

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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