TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a tribute to Veterans Day, the Florida Division of Training introduced Monday that 451 Ok-12 colleges and 16 schools have acquired the celebrated Purple Star designation for his or her dedication to supporting military-connected college students and their households.
The popularity consists of 78 new colleges reaching the Purple Star College of Distinction designation and 124 colleges from this system’s inaugural cohort renewing their standing. Inside the Florida Faculty System, 16 schools have been awarded the Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation, with seven establishments newly added this yr.
“Florida’s veterans, service members and navy households make every day sacrifices to defend our freedom,” Florida Commissioner of Training Anastasios Kamoutsas mentioned. “Florida’s Purple Star Colleges and Collegiate Purple Star Campuses stay steadfast in making certain navy households obtain constant, high-quality training irrespective of the place they’re stationed.”
The Purple Star Colleges of Distinction program, signed into regulation by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021, acknowledges colleges that present extra assets and providers to navy households, notably to help within the often-challenging transition durations that include frequent relocations.
The Collegiate Purple Star Campus Program, established in 2023, extends that dedication to public schools inside the state.
The State Board of Training emphasised the significance of the designation to Florida’s mission of turning into essentially the most military-friendly state.
“As a veteran myself and spouse of a Purple Coronary heart recipient, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices navy households make,” State Board of Training member Layla Collins mentioned. “Our Purple Star Colleges and Campuses exemplify what it means to go above and past for military-connected college students.”
For the primary time because the program’s inception in 2024, the Florida Digital College, or FLVS, was acknowledged with the Florida Purple Star College District Designation. This honor is reserved for districts the place not less than 75% of colleges have earned the Purple Star designation, becoming a member of 5 different districts beforehand acknowledged.
The announcement highlighted a number of key initiatives championed by DeSantis to help navy and veteran households:
- Heroes within the Classroom Bonus Program: Gives a one-time sign-on bonus for retired first responders and veterans who turn into full-time classroom lecturers.
- Interstate Compact on Instructional Alternative: Re-enacted to make sure seamless college placement, enrollment, and data transfers for kids of active-duty navy households.
- Army Veterans Certification Pathway: Permits veterans to make use of navy service towards the requirement for a brief educator certificates, facilitating entry to jobs in training.
- Credit score for Army Expertise: Ensures navy service members obtain uniform postsecondary school credit score primarily based on their navy programs, coaching, and occupations.
To see the total listing of Purple Star Colleges and learn to apply, go to the Florida Division of Training’s Purple Star webpage.
