Today's news

ARE FLORIDA CAMPUSES SAFE? University and college security officials take a closer look at their emergency plans in the aftermath of a gunman's murderous rampage at Virginia Tech. While they've improved things since Columbine and 9/11, they admit their schools are far from immune from attack.

PLEASE GIVE US SIXTH GRADE: Parents of fifth graders at a Pasco County charter school that teaches some classes in Greek are asking the School Board to let the school add another grade. District administrators say the Athenian Academy is making strides, but it's not ready to expand yet.

YOUR KID CAN'T COME: It used to be that if a Hernando County student gained a seat in a magnet school, his or her siblings got a pass in, too. The School Board quietly changed the policy amid complaints that siblings, not applicants, were filling the magnets. Now parents of the siblings are griping, and the School Board is reconsidering.

FACULTY RAISES AT USF: Faculty members and the university agree on 4.5 percent raises, retroactive to October.

FLORIDA KIDS DON'T VOLUNTEER: A national study puts Florida's youth at 50th when it comes to giving their time, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

STUDENT LEADERS SUPPORT FEE HIKE: The university students like that the money would go to improving technology, and say they will urge others to support SB 850, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

WHEN DOES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL END? Parents in Los Angeles argue that sixth graders aren't ready for the transition to middle school, and are pushing for an expansion of elementary school to include them, the LA Times reports. The debate over how schools should be configured is gaining steam across the country.