Education

In Florida, and across America, higher education is facing unprecedented attacks — affecting what subjects can be taught, how university presidents can be ousted, whether various institutions will lose federal funding and if diversity and inclusion offices are even allowed to exist.It’s not just a battle. It’s an all-out war against the traditional norms of academia.President Donald Trump’s crusade against Harvard University and other colleges began in January 2025, but in Florida, where Republicans have long had a monopoly on power in a staunchly red state, that same war has already been underway for several years.

FGCU on Friday received the largest philanthropic gift in its history — $22 million. The donation came from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation to the Marieb College Of Health And Human Sciences.

On June 3 Collier County Public Schools broke ground on the site of Ave Maria Elementary School, which is expected to open in August 2026.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s math department is hosting its annual coding camp from June 30 to July 3. The camp focuses on the coding language python, game-building, artificial intelligence and guest sessions with industry professionals. Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders are eligible to participate.

The Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida is opening a private academy — sort of. The organization is converting its current Dunbar location into a private alternative academy. Julian Ramirez, executive director of the center, shared early details about the plan, hinting at what’s to come for the longtime community space.

A Charlotte County Public Schools teacher/coach is on administrative leave for an issue a school official said is “serious.” The official confirmed the district is cooperating with an investigation by Punta Gorda police.

The University of Florida international student arrested near campus and sent to an immigration detention center has returned to Colombia, according to a new statement from his mother there.Felipe Zapata Velásquez, 27, was arrested March 28 for driving with a U.S. driver’s license that had been suspended since January 2024 and with an outdated vehicle registration. He was taken to Jacksonville by federal immigration agents after his arrest and told he could await his case’s resolution in jail in the United States or sign his self-deportation and return to Colombia, according to an interview on April 2 with his mother, Claudia Velásquez, by NTN24. The University of Florida international student arrested near campus and sent to an immigration detention center has returned to Colombia, according to a new statement from his mother there.Felipe Zapata Velásquez, 27, was arrested March 28 for driving with a U.S. driver’s license that had been suspended since January 2024 and with an outdated vehicle registration. He was taken to Jacksonville by federal immigration agents after his arrest and told he could await his case’s resolution in jail in the United States or sign his self-deportation and return to Colombia, according to an interview on April 2 with his mother, Claudia Velásquez, by NTN24.

A new cell phone ban could go into effect at the start of the next school year should the Lee County school board give an expected nod to the proposal when it meets Tuesday evening.

In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in 2024, we hear Finzo Hall and his mother Marcia Robinson talk about immigrating from Jamaica to the U.S, Finzo’s determination to follow his dream of becoming a pilot, and helping other young people achieve their dreams through the powers of faith and resiliency.

The School District of Lee County is proud to announce the graduation rate for the class of 2024 rose to 85.8%, setting a record high for the School District since new graduation standards were implemented in 2022. The 2019-2020 graduation rate was artificially inflated by the exemption for seniors from statewide, standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law due to the COVID pandemic.

A federal judge backed two public school unions in a legal battle over dues deductions. Educators say this is good news, but will continue watching for potential challenges to other parts of the sweeping union law.

Trump's cabinet pick Erika Donalds advocates ending education department