Florida needs to give its seniors easier access to earning college credits | Opinion
- Florida Statute 1009.26 allows Floridians over 60 to audit college courses for free but not earn credit.
- Changing the law to allow credit for these courses would help address Florida's labor shortage and benefit older adults.
- This change would utilize existing empty seats in colleges at no cost to the state while potentially boosting the tax base.
- Continued learning for older adults has societal benefits, including promoting intergenerational understanding and potentially reducing cognitive decline.
Florida is facing a significant labor shortage. A simple change by legislators can help older Floridians obtain college credit and remain in the workforce for longer.
Statute 1009.26, regarding Floridians 60+, is an outdated law and does not use state resources best. The law allows those 60+ to attend a state university or Florida College System institution for free (using the unfilled seats) but only for audit, rather than allowing them to earn credit for their coursework.
Oftentimes, seniors need to prove they have retained specific skills, and taking classes for credit ensures this is achieved. An “audited degree” cannot maintain or increase the workforce for persons of any age.
At a time when concerns about Social Security, retirement, and the adverse financial effects of the pandemic are at the forefront of mind, it's essential to recognize that many older adults are seeking alternative paths in their third chapter of life. While some may choose to retire, others are eager to continue contributing to society in meaningful ways, whether through volunteerism, traditional employment, or entrepreneurship.
By allowing older adults to earn college credit by using the empty seats, we can empower them to obtain the skills necessary to remain in the workforce. The outdated policy limits older people's ability to adapt to changing work requirements and new technology.
With Florida's significant older adult population, we can utilize these unused resources at no cost to the state, increase the tax base, and strengthen Florida’s workforce. The world is experiencing a drop in population while simultaneously experiencing a significant increase in aging adults; all ages benefit if seniors continue to “put in” rather than “take out”.
Many states have recognized the changing landscape of decreasing birth rates, retirement, Social Security concerns, and education. In response to these significant societal changes, they have updated their laws to assist older adults in pursuing or completing degrees.
This assistance, at no cost to the state, can help caregivers and others reenter the workforce, possibly at a higher educational level, as they often have set aside their goals for the care of others. The state benefits as continued employment is financially beneficial, and naturally influences students to maintain health and societal connections. Perhaps most importantly, continuing to challenge the brain increases cognitive reserve, which reduces Alzheimer’s and related dementias and the necessary support systems for these diseases.
Research has shown that continued learning can have positive effects beyond strengthening Florida’s workforce. Intergenerational learning environments foster mutual respect and understanding between older and younger students, challenging stereotypes and promoting community across generations.
Everyone knows someone who, due to their sacrificial care of others, shelved their goals and dreams, and often thought that when the time to reenter society, when their caregiving season was over, the time had passed.
My mom, 75, after 43 years as a registered nurse, embraced wood carving and dreamed of finishing her eagle, but her last work went unfinished, as my father needed care.
Caregivers sacrifice their energy, finances, and time, which is all we have, and leave their dreams on the table. Florida has underutilized services to share, and we could honor them by giving back a little of what they contributed by saying, “Thank you for your service,” and “Come finish your dream; we’ve got room.”
Updating Statute 1009.26 to allow older adults to earn college credit using empty seats is a win-win-win for everyone.
Lorraine Randall of Tallahassee is a local business owner, and graduate student, School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida.
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