News Summary
Students from Cypress Creek High School in Orlando are organizing a protest against the planned discontinuation of the International Baccalaureate program. Scheduled for Tuesday, this demonstration aims to rally support from fellow students, staff, and alumni. The reason cited by Orange County Public Schools for the discontinuation is a lack of student interest, while proposed state funding cuts threaten the future of advanced academic programs like the IB and AP classes in Florida. The protest highlights the students’ commitment to preserving opportunities for advanced education.
Orlando – A group of high school students in Orange County plans to protest against significant changes to advanced academic programs, including the discontinuation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Cypress Creek High School. The protest is set for Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. outside the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center in Downtown Orlando.
The students, primarily from Cypress Creek High School, are rallying others, including students, staff, and alumni, to join them in a demonstration against the decision made by Orange County Public Schools. The district has cited a lack of student interest as the reason for discontinuing the IB program, although current IB students will still be able to complete their diploma requirements through graduation without new admissions for the upcoming academic year.
The protest is taking place amidst ongoing discussions among Florida lawmakers regarding funding for advanced academic programs, such as IB and Advanced Placement (AP) classes, that have traditionally received additional state support. Proposed cuts to this funding could reduce financial resources for advanced programs by up to 50%, raising concerns about the potential reduction in class offerings and increased costs for families.
If the House’s proposal for funding cuts passes, it could result in a $290 million deficit statewide, whereas the Senate has suggested a lower reduction of $214 million. These proposed cuts would affect the distribution of funding for advanced academic programs, impacting resources such as teacher bonuses and classroom materials.
Currently, students who achieve scores of “3” or higher on AP exams generate an additional $865 in funding allocated for their education. Lawmakers, including House Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, have expressed concerns regarding the reliance on this extra funding to meet basic educational needs within school districts.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of these cuts, legislators are considering a compromise that would allow for the restoration of full funding while revising its allocation. This plan would ensure that 80% of the funds would directly benefit schools, while the remaining 20% would be reserved for discretionary spending.
In terms of student participation, Florida leads the nation in AP class enrollment, with over 100,000 students taking at least one AP exam each year. Enrollment in IB programs has also seen an increase, rising from around 16,000 students in the 2023-24 academic year to over 17,000 for the 2024-25 year.
Students have voiced that the proposed funding cuts could jeopardize their opportunities to enroll in advanced courses that provide them with college credit while still in high school. Advocacy from students, staff, and parents aimed at maintaining funding for these programs has been ongoing for several months, highlighting the importance of these advanced classes in college readiness.
As the Tuesday protest approaches, updates regarding both the demonstration and legislative negotiations concerning educational funding in Florida will be closely monitored and reported by local news organizations.
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Additional Resources
- ClickOrlando: Students Plan Rally for Advanced Class Funding
- Wikipedia: International Baccalaureate
- Fox 35 Orlando: Florida Teacher’s Dismissal Sparks Protests
- Google Search: Florida Advanced Academic Programs
- Orlando Weekly: FSU Students Protest Weakened Gun Safety Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Advanced Placement
- Orlando Sentinel: Central Florida Dreamers Protest
- Google News: Florida Education Funding Protests
