Education in Florida facts for kids
The Florida education system is how kids and young adults in Florida learn, from kindergarten all the way through college. It includes public schools, private schools, and even online schools. Florida has a big system of public universities called the State University System of Florida (SUSF) and public colleges called the Florida College System (FCS). There are also many private colleges and universities, some of which are part of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF).
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How Florida's Education System Works
Florida's education system is managed by different groups. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) looks after public elementary and high schools, and also the Florida College System. The public universities in the State University System are overseen by the Florida Board of Governors.
Public Universities and Colleges
Florida has ten public universities and one special liberal arts college. These are all part of the State University System. In 2008, over 300,000 students were attending these universities.
The Florida College System has 28 public colleges, which used to be called community colleges. By 2010, many of these colleges started offering four-year degrees, not just two-year ones.
Local School Districts
Florida has 67 school districts, which means there's one for each county. These districts are separate from city governments. They collect taxes from property in their area to help pay for schools.
Private Schools
Florida also has hundreds of private schools. The Florida Department of Education does not control how private schools operate. Private schools don't have to be officially approved (accredited) or require students to take achievement tests when they graduate. However, many private schools choose to get accreditation and have their students take tests to show parents they care about good education.
Homeschooling in Florida
In 2008, about 55,000 students in Florida were homeschooled. This means they learned at home instead of going to a regular school. The state government supports homeschooling and doesn't set rules for how many days or hours students must learn. Homeschooled students also don't have to take achievement tests when they finish high school.
Images for kids
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The University of Miami in Coral Gables, 2006
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Palm Beach Atlantic University
