Bright Futures for scientists, nurses, engineers

Who knows how far this will go, but sophomore Democratic Sen. Jeremy Ring wants to base the amount of Bright Futures awards on whether a student studies, say, philosophy or engineering.

SB 1320 has no House sponsor yet, but Ring says Republican Rep. Frank  Attkisson will file the companion soon.

Bright Futures now covers all tuition and fees for the brightest Florida High School graduates, plus $300 per semester for expenses like books. It covers 75 percent for students with slightly lower GPAs and SATs. Ring, calling his proposal an "economic development tool," wants to encourage more students to study the sciences by awarding less to the English majors and more to the education or science majors.

Science-engineer types would get 110 percent of tuition and fees covered, plus $330 a semester for expenses, while those philosophers would get a scholarship covering between just 55 and 80 percent of tuition and fees.

"I anticipate there will be some students and parents who are disturbed," Ring told the Buzz. "But if you’re a philosophy major and you’re going to get 80 percent of your tuition covered, it’s still a good deal.”

Comments

This guy is a loon. Students should be able to study what they want with the scholarship

You think he is a loon - wait until you hear from kookie Frank Attkison

Sounds like Ring is disturbed.

This is idiotic. We need to encourage kids to go into the math and science degrees, but we don't need to discourage the ones who want to study the liberal arts. Do we really want a ton of students who aren't science or math inclined to go that route so that they can get the full scholarship? Is that really in the best interest of the students?

Ring, don't embarrass yourself... Withdraw this very bad bill.

[UF Student]

Horrible idea. I wouldn't be opposed to students getting slightly more money for certain fields, but other students shouldn't be punished for studying what they want to study. Not too mention the nightmare in deciding what majors are given extra money and what majors are punished

[Another Free Slave]

Not a snowball's chance in Key West of passing... not in an election year, not while Pruitt is in charge.

Makes sense actually. Our state (legislature, business and academic communities) wants high tech jobs to come to Florida so that were more diversified, so up'ing the amount for a student who is enrolled in science and math is very admirable. And we certainly need more teachers, but in addition to up'ing their award, they should almost be given a free ride if they commit to a 10 year contract to teach in Florida's public schools.

So all you that are poohing the idea, go back to reading your self help books.

Sounds like Ring's senate education committee needs to step back, and do an educational philosophic inventory.

Yeah, who needs to learn to spell anyway.

[Jim Johnson]

The only science and engineering students Florida schools have are members of al Quaida, so maybe the guy is a terrorist sponsor.

These stupid legislators will do ANYTHING to avoid addressing the REAL ISSUES!!!!

Hey Ring - FIX PROPERTY TAXES BY ELIMINATING THEM AND SWITCH TO A STATE SALES TAX ON SERVICES, FIX PROPERTY INSURANCE - ELIMINATE FATCAT EXEMPTIONS FROM THE SALES TAX.

These "part-time" employees earn more in their 60 days than the average state employee earns the entire year!!!!! These "part-time" employees received a RAISE last year. These "part-time" employees receive FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES. These "part-time" employees receive FREE DENTAL INSURANCE FOR THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES.
The "part-time" employees cut services to children, the handicapped, and elderly and then took a week's STATE-PAID VACATION INCLUDING EXPENSES TO BOSTON.

Kick every one of these bums out and vote NO on Amendment one!!!!

[Aquaserpent]

Democratic Sen. Jeremy Ring sounds like a Republican in sheep’s clothing. You know the party whose motto is you are free to think like we do.

Comprehension of mathematics and its application in the real world are hard abstract ideas to understand for most people. I have worked with Professional Engineers (P.E.) for more than 20 years; and a lot of them have little to no common sense, and don’t get me started on their interpersonal skills. It scares me to know that someone who has the common sense of a 6 year old can design the bridge I’m expected to drive over. Not all engineers are mentally and or socially handy capped some are rather quite intelligent people, and have a lot going for them. But like every professional organization they protect their own. I personally like solving mathematical models that effect our environment, but knowing what kind of office environment and the social void you have to live in to solve those problems I would not wish on anyone especially not my child.

Forcing a student to study a subject because society has a need for people with that particular skill set is socialism and I am offended that someone who is supposed to understand and uphold our values would suggest such a thing. Thank you Comrade Ring! I hope your constituents remember this the next time you are up for re-election.

This sounds like it will work as well as moving Florida's primary, which was also Ring's idea.

[terminator]

Ring is a douchebag and the guy who screwed the pooch by sponsoring the Senate bill last year to move Florida's primary date up to Jan. 29th.

The guy's in his second year of being a legislator and doesn't have a clue.

Every dem in Florida (and a lot of R's) should hate this guys guts for disenfranchising Florida voters and stripping it's delegates at the national conventions.

Another goofball from Broward (what can you say)?

What a BONEHEADED IDEA!