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Educators nationwide report rising anxiety, reduced attendance, and learning disruptions among immigrant students due to intensified immigration enforcement. According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 50% of educators working with immigrant families observed student fear this school year, and 75% said it interferes with learning. “Fear or anxiety is interfering with student learning ‘some’ or ‘a lot,’” particularly in large districts. While some districts share immigrant rights information or offer counseling, 42% took no action. Rural areas are less likely to have formal protocols for handling immigration officer requests, with only 30% reporting clear, written guidelines.

 

Education Week News

Florida's proposal to eliminate school vaccine standards has raised significant concerns among health experts, educators, and the public. If passed, Florida would be the only state to remove these essential standards, potentially leading to disease outbreaks not seen in decades. A recent survey revealed that nearly 70% of Floridians oppose this plan. Vaccines have historically protected children from severe illnesses, and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized that this move is a "dangerous step backward." With vaccination rates declining, the state has already seen a surge in whooping cough cases, highlighting the urgent need to maintain these standards for public health.

 

Florida Politics

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas filed a complaint against Talbot Elementary special education teacher Emily Grace for using a gender-neutral title, Mx., in class. The complaint alleges that Grace violated state law by not adhering to the title corresponding to students' sex assigned at birth. Kamoutsas said: "No school teacher can make elementary school kids use fake pronouns in Florida. This isn't hard." This action follows a letter from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier urging strict enforcement of the law, which prohibits K-12 employees from using preferred pronouns that do not align with assigned sex. The law, effective since July 2023, has faced criticism from groups like the American Civil Rights Union of Florida, who view it as censorship. Grace is currently on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Three men are facing hate crime-related charges after allegedly disrupting a Muslim prayer session at the University of South Florida (USF), causing fear among students and prompting new security measures. The suspects, Ricardo Yepez, Christopher Svochak, and Richard Penskoski, interrupted the gathering by shouting and offering bacon to students. They are affiliated with a group called the Kingdom Reconcilers Following the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) has removed the phrase “unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities” from its definition of dyslexia, challenging the long-used discrepancy model. Charles Haynes of the MGH Institute explained: “People with below-average IQs can demonstrate word-reading and spelling difficulties that don't differ… from people who are of average or superior IQ.” Critics argue this change may overlook gifted dyslexic students. Though IDA doesn’t set policy, Nicole Fuller from the National Center for Learning Disabilities noted: “It does mark a shift,” potentially influencing how states screen and support students.

 

Education Week News

Members of Orange Lodge No. 36 and I Gave a Duck (IGAD), a nonprofit focused on aiding families affected by autism, delivered sensory-support devices to five students at Rock Springs Elementary. Gerald "Jerry" Rooks, IGAD founding board member, emphasized the importance of directly assisting families, saying: "I just don’t want to drop a check off at some office. Let’s find a way to get whatever it is directly to the families." The sensory packages included tactile pads and calming tools aimed at improving focus and reducing anxiety. Rooks plans to expand this initiative throughout Florida, with an estimated $18m needed for statewide implementation.

 

The Apopka Chief Newspaper

A new Florida law has expanded the "Schools of Hope" program, enabling charter schools to co-locate in underused public school facilities. This change has attracted interest from several charter school companies looking to take over parts of local schools in Manatee County. The law is influencing the School District of Manatee County's plans for future schools, with officials preparing for potential charter takeovers. Mater Academy Inc., a Miami-based charter organization, has already expressed interest in using district facilities as co-location sites, specifically targeting Lincoln Memorial Middle School in Palmetto. "Over my dead body," said local officials, indicating strong resistance to these takeover plans.

 

Bradenton.com

Preston Davis, a parent at Orange Center Elementary School, is excited about the proposed expansion to include middle school grades. He appreciates the school's supportive environment, stating: "There isn't a single staff person at that school that doesn't know my kids' names." The expansion plan, which will be voted on by parents in January, aims to convert the school into a charter school in partnership with Lift Orlando, focusing on providing additional support to disadvantaged students. The plan could allow the school to enroll about 300 more students by 2027, enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

 

Bradenton.com

Leon County Schools are enhancing safety measures with a comprehensive strategy that includes AI-driven cameras, detection dogs, and advanced metal detectors. Over 3,000 security cameras—some equipped with ZeroEyes software—monitor for weapons. "I can't imagine starting a school year without ZeroEyes," said Jimmy Williams, Chief of Safety and Security. The AI alerts trained military or law enforcement staff who then notify 911 and school officers. Since launching these tools in December 2022, weapon seizures have dropped 58%. Williams emphasized: “Our goal is zero, zero weapons on campus,” with plans for more random searches underway.

 

Tallahassee News

A growing group of parents is resisting the tech-heavy direction of K-12 education, opting for low-tech private schools or homeschooling. Erica Frans, a Kansas parent, said: “The school didn't want to provide paper,” prompting her to homeschool. Critics argue that excessive classroom screen time contributes to mental health issues and reduced physical activity. Groups like Smartphone Free Childhood and the Balance Project are pressing for policy change. While tech can support learning, skeptics point to studies favoring analog tools.

 

Politico

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) launched a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab at Homestead Middle School, featuring advanced technology like virtual reality headsets, programmable robots, and 3D printers. This initiative aims to provide middle school students with essential skills for the modern job market. The lab is designed to foster curiosity and innovation among students. Principal Judith A. Gerena emphasized the importance of hands-on interaction with technology, saying: “This is a space for my students to learn, to be innovative thinkers and problem solvers.” Additional Verizon Innovative Learning Labs will be established in other M-DCPS schools in the coming years, enhancing educational opportunities across the district.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The Children’s Movement of Florida has welcomed Ashley Bell Barnett and Monesia Brown to its Board of Directors. Bell Barnett, an education leader and community advocate, also serves on the Florida Board of Governors and the Polk State College District Board of Trustees. Brown, a veteran policy strategist, focuses on education policy and leadership development. "We are honored to welcome Ashley and Monesia to our board," said Madeleine K. Thakur, President and CEO of the Children’s Movement of Florida. Both members bring extensive experience and a commitment to enhancing early learning opportunities for Florida's children. Bell Barnett has been a long-time supporter of early childhood initiatives, while Brown has over 30 years of experience in various sectors and has been recognized among Florida Trend’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders.

 

Florida Politics

DeOnte Brown has been appointed as the new dean of the Division of Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University. A former participant in FSU's CARE Upward Bound program, Brown has dedicated his career to supporting low-income students.

 

Tallahassee.com

New Zealand will require financial literacy education across Years 0–10 by 2026 through its Te Mātaiaho curriculum. Lessons will evolve from basic budgeting to complex topics like taxation, insurance, and digital finance, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain. Emphasizing real-world applications, the program aims to reach 800,000 students yearly. Instruction will be scaffolded by age and supported with teacher training and resources from the Retirement Commission and universities. The initiative responds to long-standing gaps in financial education and shifts focus from rote memorization to practical understanding and decision-

 

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