Education briefs

n College of Central Florida offering computer courses

The College of Central Florida Levy Center is offering two courses to help computer users keep their machines in top condition.

First, the school is holding a Computer Repair and Troubleshooting course, scheduled for Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. Class time is slated to be 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how to disassemble, configure and assemble the basic computer; and how to install the Windows Operating System. They also will learn about computer maintenance, upgrade and repair.

An Intermediate Computer Repair and Troubleshooting course will meet on Aug. 20 and Aug. 27, also from 9 a.m. to noon. This course will enable participants to repair specific problems on a desktop or laptop computer by using software programs to isolate and repair problems including viruses. Participants will install programs and utilities designed to help maintain computers. The class will also cover the role of the Windows Operating System and how to keep it working smoothly.

Cost for both courses is $60. The deadline for enrollment is one week before the start of each class. Enroll at the Levy Center, 114 Rodgers Blvd., by telephone at 352-493-9533, or online at CFItraining.cf.edu.

n  Florida picked as Race to the Top FInalist

The White House on Tuesday announced that Florida is among 18 states that were selected as finalists for the Race to the Top program.

If Florida wins a portion of the funding, Levy County schools could receive an estimated $1.1 million, distributed over four years.

Race to the Top is a $3.4 billion fund for schools that encourages innovation in education, attaching teacher evaluations to student performance and new learning standards.

The program started last year with $4.35 billion. The initital funds were given to Tennessee and Delaware. Each state received $600 million.

The other finalist states selected in this round were Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

These sates will present a final presentation to a group of judges in August. A final selection of about 10 to 15 states will be chosen in September.

— Compiled by Steve Waters/sports@chieflandcitizen.com