State Board of Education approves general education course list

Press release from Florida Department of Education
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the State Board of Education approved the general education courses submitted by Florida’s 28 state colleges. For the very first time, all Florida colleges and state universities were required to submit their general education courses to ensure compliance with Florida statutes. The updated general education course list ensures that students attending our public state colleges are taking high-quality general education courses that provide foundational knowledge and prepare them for life-long learning and success.
“General education courses should be high-quality courses that provide foundational knowledge,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is ensuring that general education courses help students think critically and develop greater understanding before they move into the courses of their major.”
Today’s approval was established in legislation last year through SB 266 that made it clear that students attending Florida’s public institutions of higher education receive the highest quality education that provides the knowledge and skills they need to be great citizens and succeed in the ever-expanding job market. The approved list represents a 57% decrease in the number of general education courses, improving focus on the statute and transferability of courses with the state universities.
In other action taken today, the State Board approved two baccalaureate degree programs in biological science and human services at St. Johns River State College. These bachelor’s programs are in response to local and regional workforce needs and demand and will reinforce Florida’s national standing as #1 for workforce education.
57% in decreased general educational courses will certainly decrease many students’ entrance.
You mean fewer indoctrination courses to warp young minds and help ruin the country. Good.
The entire secondary and post secondary education system is a joke. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the umbrella organization for all regional accreditation associations, requires 30 semester hours of courses specifically not related to the major for a bachelor’s degree. That is an entire year of school that has nothing to with the program for which a student is attending college. You can go to the Technical University of Munich, in Germany, and get a bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering, a hardcore STEM degree, in THREE years. Not a single class in that entire program is not related to engineering. Even the math class is titled, “Math for Engineers”. The European university model is one of the only things Europe has done right.
In addition, only approximately 30% of all high school graduates in Florida ever obtain a four year university degree. So what are we doing for the other 70% of high school students? Nothing. They are wholly unprepared to enter the workforce. This is what happens when we push every single child to go to college. Why are we not graduating seniors with certifications in HVAC, plumbing, IT, etc., at 18 years old? Ready to immediately earn a living and support themselves without having to go to even more school at the junior college level and spend money. Our students shouldn’t have to spend money to learn a marketable skill with the amount of money collected from us taxpayers. Our high school diplomas are a joke.
Have I tried to voice my concerns? Of course. I’ve emailed the governor’s office my concerns. No response. I’ve emailed my congressional representative. It’s a state issue, understandable. I’ve even looked at speaking at a Florida Department of Education Board meeting. But, according to the rules, public comment is limited to items on the agenda. Maybe I didn’t look well enough, but I can’t even find the agenda for any specific upcoming meeting.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea to ensure students have a well-rounded education… but I agree that more vo-tech classes should be available in high school.
There is no job that requires a “well rounded education”.
Obviously. Tomorrow a dumb felon will become President. Good thing he does not have a well rounded brain. Hand that dumb felon the nuclear codes.