As Florida continues to grow and flourish, the state stands at a pivotal moment for its future. Florida’s state colleges play a critical role in that growth, driving economic mobility, strengthening communities, and fueling the state’s economic engine.

A recent Lightcast report, “The Economic Value of the Florida College System,” issued in October by the Association of Florida Colleges, offers clear evidence that the “Great 28” state colleges are not only educating students and upskilling today’s workforce — they are powering Florida’s prosperity. An investment in the Florida College System (FCS) truly pays dividends for the state.

In fiscal year 2023–24, the Florida College System generated $56.7 billion in added income to Florida’s economy, representing roughly 3.7% of the state’s total gross product. FCS colleges supported 640,484 jobs statewide, meaning one in 24 Florida jobs is connected to a state college, its students, or its alumni.

These figures are not abstract. They represent real livelihoods, thriving small businesses, strong regional economies, and communities positioned to grow and prosper.

For students, an FCS education is a smart and life-changing investment. The Lightcast analysis shows that for every dollar students invest in tuition, fees, and forgone income, they receive $6.30 in lifetime earnings — a 21.2% average annual rate of return that outperforms many traditional investments. Collectively, students enrolled in 2023–24 will earn $14.5 billion more over their lifetimes than they would have without attending a state college.

Taxpayers also see substantial returns. Every $1 invested in the Florida College System yields $2.40 in added tax revenue and reduced public spending over students’ working lives. A more skilled workforce lowers demand for social services, generating $13.30 in social savings for every dollar invested during the same period.

At its core, the Florida College System is about building human capital. FCS institutions offer associate and bachelor’s degrees, workforce certificates, skills-based training, continuing education, and professional development — delivered both in person and online — and tailored to meet Florida’s evolving economic needs. Alumni contribute to industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and health care to technology, education, and the skilled trades. The $51 billion in added income generated by alumni underscores the lasting value of an FCS education.

As Chair of the FCS Council of Presidents and President of Seminole State College, I view Florida’s state colleges as far more than postsecondary institutions. They create pathways to economic mobility, strengthen community resilience, and support long-term prosperity statewide. The Council appreciates Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget recommendation of $1.9 billion for the Florida College System, which will have a significant impact when reinvested in students and communities.

The Lightcast report confirms what has long been evident: investing in the Florida College System is one of the most cost-effective investments Florida can make. Every dollar invested delivers measurable benefits to students, taxpayers, communities, and the broader economy.

As Florida attracts new residents, expands industries, and navigates global economic challenges, the Florida College System stands ready — educating today’s workforce, preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities, and powering the state’s future success. When Florida invests in the Florida College System, it invests in itself.

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Dr. Georgia Lorenz is president of Seminole State College and Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents.

Florida policymakers are convening for the final Legislative Session of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tenure, as well as the last for House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton. As always, education policy sits at the top of the agenda, and the Foundation for Florida’s Future is urging lawmakers to act on priorities that will shape student outcomes for years to come.

Reading: Invest in literacy

Florida’s reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have fallen to their lowest levels since before 1999. Meanwhile, states such as Mississippi — drawing inspiration from reforms that originated in Florida — are now outperforming us.

While a broad recommitment to literacy is necessary, lawmakers can make an immediate, high-impact investment by ensuring every elementary school has a dedicated reading coach. These highly trained instructional leaders work directly with teachers to improve reading instruction schoolwide.

Today, nearly 800 elementary schools report having no active reading coach. Because not all districts prioritize funding for proven literacy strategies, policymakers should establish a dedicated literacy coach fund and require participating districts to better align reading plans with state priorities. This approach would give students a much-needed boost while providing the state greater accountability over literacy outcomes.

School choice: Protect Florida’s progress

Florida has been the gold standard for school choice for two decades, distinguished by its scale and responsiveness to families. That progress, however, is not guaranteed.

Current concerns about tracking and funding students stem from technological limitations, not bureaucratic failures. Adding new administrative requirements for parents and schools would be a mistake. The solution to a technology problem should be technological.

Florida can look to other states with education scholarship account programs that have successfully addressed these challenges. Investing in modern student tracking systems and adopting a common data governance standard such as EdFi — already used in Texas, Indiana, and Arizona — would strengthen accountability without discouraging participation.

Additional bureaucracy would stifle innovation, deter families, and risk turning a life-changing scholarship program into a difficult-to-navigate government system. Lawmakers should proceed with caution.

Generative AI: Implement reasonable guardrails

Florida has led the nation in protecting students from the harms of social media and cell phone use in schools. The next step is establishing reasonable guardrails for Generative Artificial Intelligence.

Policymakers should focus on two priorities. First, protecting student data by requiring transparency, auditing of interactions, and robust parental notice and controls.

Second, the state must prevent minors from accessing Generative AI products that use addictive, human-like deception to form relationships. These interactions pose serious emotional risks, tragically illustrated by the experience of Florida’s Megan Garcia and the loss of her son, Sewell. These powerful technologies should not be allowed to reach children unchecked.

Higher education accountability: Capture return on investment

The One Big Beautiful Bill requires colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to report annual wage outcomes for graduates. Programs whose graduates consistently earn less than high school diploma-only workers will no longer qualify for federal aid.

Florida can reinforce this accountability by ensuring the same data reported federally is also shared with the state, giving students and policymakers clearer insight when choosing degree programs.

Florida already boasts one of the nation’s strongest higher education systems, but transparency and incentive alignment remain essential to keeping student outcomes front and center.

Policy changes lives. While this is a lame-duck year for many state leaders, Florida has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to deliver meaningful reforms that keep the state at the forefront of education policy.

To view the full policy agenda, click here.

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Patricia Levesque is executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future.

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

After months of speculation, Jay Collins is officially in the race for Governor, launching his campaign with a Fox News exclusive that leaned heavily on biography, service, and continuity with the DeSantis era — even as the Governor himself declined to offer an endorsement.

“I’m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites. I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self. That experience shaped how I lead and why I believe public office is a public trust,” Collins said.

Collins praised Gov. Ron DeSantis in his announcement, casting himself as a results-oriented conservative focused on law enforcement, public safety, and maintaining Florida’s national profile. DeSantis, however, struck a notably noncommittal tone when asked about Collins’ bid just minutes before the announcement.

“Jay’s a good guy. He served this country admirably as a Green Beret,” DeSantis said in Davie. “If I get involved in the Primary, you’ll know it. It’ll be at a time and place of my choosing.”

First elected to the Senate in 2022 after defeating Janet Cruz, Collins briefly flirted with a congressional run before switching to the state Senate with a field-clearing endorsement from DeSantis. Since becoming Lieutenant Governor, he has embraced a far more visible role than his predecessors, earning national media hits — and occasional controversy — along the way.

But visibility alone may not close the gap. Collins enters the race with roughly $900,000 in his political committee, Quiet Professionals FL, well behind Byron Donalds and Paul Renner, who have raised more than $35 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

Donalds, who entered the race with Donald Trump’s endorsement, remains the early front-runner in polling — a poll released last week showed Donalds would lead Collins 45%-6% if he were a candidate.

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump is trying to change how the Midterm Elections are conducted” via Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez of The Washington Post

—”Today is the day that Democrats’ chances of winning the Senate got real” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Fed changes course and takes on Trump’s political fight” via Colby Smith of The New York Times

—”Banana Republicanism” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic

—“Fifty people control the culture” via Ted Gioia of The Honest Broker

—“The speed-obsessed Texas wildcatter in pole position for Venezuela’s energy riches” via Benoît Morenne of The Wall Street Journal

—”Uber costs down after Florida tort reform” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics

—”Florida deregulated nursing schools. Scam colleges and failing students followed” via Annie Martin of the Orlando Sentinel

—“Nick DiCeglie brings thoroughbred decoupling effort to the Senate” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics

—”Kathryn and Brian Ballard’s latest FSU gift punctuates long history of giving back” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics