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The U.S. government shutdown has ended with a bipartisan funding deal, but neither party emerged satisfied. Democrats failed to secure a key health insurance tax credit extension, while Republicans faced public backlash, as reflected in polls and elections. The shutdown disrupted millions—federal employees missed paychecks and food banks saw long lines due to stalled aid. "Never have American families faced a situation where their health care costs are set to double — double in the blink of an eye," warned Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Meanwhile, schools are still struggling with food insecurity and disrupted support services. SNAP benefit delays caused food shortages in school pantries, severely affecting low-income families. Federal education staff layoffs halted services for homeless and migrant students, with uncertainty persisting until at least January 30. “I don’t think anything goes back to normal after such a long shutdown,” said Barbara Duffield of SchoolHouse Connection. Advocates warn of ongoing challenges and potential program cuts in upcoming funding decisions.

 

AP News

Ed Source

Florida is grappling with significant debt, totaling $71.82bn, making it the 10th most indebted state. Sarasota County alone carries over $1.5bn in debt. Governor DeSantis's proposal to eliminate property taxes raises concerns about spending cuts needed to balance this tax reduction. The Florida Retirement System (FRS) is on a fragile path to eliminate unfunded pension liabilities by 2042, as noted in an analysis by Aon Investments USA Inc. The system's funded ratio has improved to 83.7% from 70% in 2009, but market downturns could reverse this progress. Reason's Annual Pension Solvency and Performance Report warns that a recession could increase annual costs significantly, potentially reaching 22.9% of pay. Policymakers must consider these risks when discussing new pension benefits, as proposals could add billions in costs. "Policymakers need to be aware of Florida's long-term pension strategy," said Zachary Christensen, Adrian Moore, and Steven Vu from Reason Foundation.

 

Sarasota Observer

In Florida, families are leaving schools due to fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The Trump administration's rollback of protections against immigration enforcement in schools has led to significant enrollment declines, particularly in immigrant communities. For instance, Orange County reported a drop of around 6,600 students, with many families opting out of public education. Education leaders, including School Board member Stephanie Vanos, noted that “allowing immigration enforcement activities near schools sets up a culture of fear among immigrant families.” The situation reflects a broader trend affecting schools across Florida, as families prioritize safety over education.

 

Florida Politics

Florida is facing significant challenges in early math education, with only 63% of third graders meeting state standards. Chad Aldeman, an education policy expert, stressed that "early math gaps don’t simply disappear with age—they persist and grow." The situation worsens in high school, where only 60% passed Algebra and 55% passed Geometry. Despite Florida's fourth graders scoring above the national average, many students fall behind early and struggle later. To address these issues, Aldeman says Florida must prioritize early interventions, improve instructional time, and ensure students master foundational skills. He advocates for a renewed focus on early math education to prepare students for future success in college and careers.

 

Florida Politics

Alachua County school board member Tina Certain is facing scrutiny for her critical remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Her attorney, Gary Edinger, argued that her comments are protected political speech under the First Amendment, statingl “It is inappropriate to seek to discipline or publicly shame another citizen for political viewpoints with which you and your colleagues appear to disagree.” Florida's Education Commissioner Anastasios "Stasi" Kamoutsas has summoned Certain to a state meeting, expressing concerns about her ability to serve on the board. This incident follows previous controversies involving the Alachua school board, including a summer incident where board chair Sarah Rockwell faced backlash for a social media comment about Hulk Hogan. The state board previously found the Alachua school board in violation of the First Amendment, requiring free speech training.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Daytona Beach News Journal

In Tallahassee, discussions between Leon County Schools and the Leon County Teachers Association have made headway regarding state funds for teacher salaries and a potential millage rate increase. Although both parties reached an impasse over proposed salary increases of $4.4m, they expressed optimism about the outcome. "A general feeling is, you know, optimism," said Scott Mazur, President of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association. They agreed to allocate $1m from the state to teachers retroactively, potentially by December. Superintendent Rocky Hanna noted that a mill increase could yield around $26m for Leon County, and both sides believe the community will support this proposal. "The voters of Leon County love their public schools and their public school teachers," Mazur stated.

 

Tallahassee.com

Tallahassee News

The Martin County School Board is considering adding grades 6-8 to Crystal Lake Elementary, reflecting a broader trend in the Treasure Coast region. As reported by TCPalm, St. Lucie County has long offered K-8 schools, while Indian River County has recently transitioned four elementary schools to include sixth grade, with plans for seventh and eighth grades in the coming years. This shift comes as Treasure Coast middle schools experience declining enrollments, with many parents opting for private or charter schools instead. 

 

TCPalm

The School District of Manatee County is implementing a phased opening for its new high school in response to the controversial “Schools of Hope” legislation. This law, effective immediately, allows charter schools to occupy underused district facilities, prompting officials to avoid having unused space that could be taken over. Mike Pendley, an executive planner, said: “It will be more expensive to build the two remaining buildings later... it’s imperative that we don’t get ahead of ourselves.” The new high school, set to open in 2027, will initially serve ninth and tenth graders, with full operation expected by 2029. The district is also finalizing new attendance zones to coincide with the school's opening, further complicating the situation.

 

Bradenton.com

Eustis Elementary School in Tavares, celebrating its 100th birthday, received a significant update as the Lake County School Board voted 4-1 to preserve its historic Mediterranean-revival facade while rebuilding the school at its current location. Concerns about the school's capacity arose during discussions, with Vice Chair Stephanie Luke expressing her worries about the board's financial stability and future growth. Board member Tyler Brandeburg stressed the need for adequate student stations, suggesting that "650 student stations, instead of 750 at Eustis Elementary, would adequately accommodate all anticipated growth." The school district plans to spend the next year designing the new facility, with classes temporarily relocating to Eustis High School's Curtright building in 2027.

 

Daily Commercial

Nineteen students from Tallahassee have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition, which recognizes over 16,000 high school juniors nationwide. These students qualified by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT and submitting detailed applications. Leon Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna expressed pride in the achievement, stating, "We have a lot of the best and brightest kids right here in our public school system." Finalists will be announced in May, competing for scholarships totaling $26m, which range from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years at participating colleges.

 

Tallahassee.com

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has highlighted the necessity of foundational computer science (CS) education for all students. According to the upcoming 2025 Teacher Landscape Report, 70% of computer science teachers are already incorporating AI into their curricula. The CSTA's recent survey, conducted in partnership with the Alliance for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Computing Education (AiiCE), found that 80% of K-12 computer science teachers view AI as essential to the curriculum. The report highlights that 44 states have established standards for teaching these foundational skills, with many requiring computer science for graduation.

 

EdSource

J.B. Branch critiques the use of unproven AI surveillance tools in schools, highlighting a Baltimore case where a student was handcuffed over a chip bag misidentified as a weapon. "If pointing guns at a child with a snack is success, then we must question these systems," Branch argues. He warns these technologies often reinforce racial bias, particularly against Black and Latino students, and divert funds from proven support strategies. He calls for transparency, community input, and prioritizing human relationships over automated systems in school safety efforts.

 

Education Week News

Despite a decline in K-12 enrollment in Tampa Bay, Florida's college enrollment is projected to rise for the third consecutive year. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's Preliminary Fall Enrollment Trends report, national college enrollment increased by 2% this fall, with undergraduate enrollment up by 2.4%. Florida is expected to surpass this trend with a 3% increase overall.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Chinese authorities have introduced new measures aimed at enhancing the mental health of primary and secondary school students. The initiatives, announced by the Ministry of Education, focus on reducing academic pressure, limiting screen time, and mandating two hours of physical exercise daily. Schools are required to enforce a ban on mobile phones in classrooms and implement "screen-free" periods to mitigate excessive internet use. Additionally, the ministry emphasized the need for schools to manage homework loads and ensure students receive adequate sleep. The ministry said: "Strictly enforce sleep management regulations, resolutely curb violations such as excessive studying and prevent excessive academic burdens." These measures are designed to help students cope with stress and anxiety, particularly during exam periods. Furthermore, the ministry is also working to alleviate teacher workloads by limiting out-of-school duties.

 

Reuters