Today's news

THEY DON'T BELIEVE EVOLUTION: A St. Petersburg Times poll reveals that only 22 percent of respondents think Florida schools should teach evolution only in the science curriculum. Half want faith-based ideas such as creationism or intelligent design taught. The Times editorializes that the State Board of Education needs to adopt the standards as presented.

CAMPUS DELAYS: Layout changes forces Hillsborough Community College to push back the completion date of its new Ruskin campus.

NO, IT'S NOT A GARAGE SALE: Teachers and staff members at New River Elementary School in Wesley Chapel had packed up their books and supplies to send off to the school's new permanent buildings, which open next week. (Times photo of volunteers unpacking books, Keri Wiginton)

TOP OF THE CLASS HILLSBOROUGH: Students appeal to waiting drivers: Please, no idling (Coleman Middle); School will mimic show to celebrate three-year renovation (Mitchell Elementary); Worried mom lobbies for four-way stop at intersection (Chiles Elementary)

NOT MEETING THE MISSION: Florida university leaders tell top lawmakers that they're turning away qualified students because they can't afford to educate them. They ask for $200-million more a year over the next five years, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

MONTFORD PLANS SENATE BID: Bill Montford, head of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, plans to run for a state Senate seat in 2010, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

THAT UNEASY FEELING: A shooting at Northern Illinois University raises qualms among students at colleges in South Florida, the Sun-Sentinel reports. For more on the shooting, see this NY Times story.

FOURTH IN THE NATION: Florida students have the fourth best passing rate on Advanced Placement exams during 2007, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

MAKE THEM LEARN TO DRIVE: A Bradenton mom is pushing for mandatory driver's education in Florida high schools, the Bradenton Herald reports.

FEDS HELP TEACHERS: St. Lucie County recruited 16 teachers from India. The teachers had visa problems and looked like they were going to have to leave mid-year, until some federal officials stepped in, the Palm Beach Post reports.

COWIN BACKS OFF: Lake superintendent Anna Cowin decides not to demote an assistant superintendent and not to sue the School Board for denying her request to do so, the Orlando Sentinel reports.