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House Bill 423, introduced by State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-District 42, mandates public schools to establish a School Staff Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) Team and an emergency elopement plan for students with disabilities. Eskamani emphasized, "When it comes to safety of our children, especially our children with disabilities, these are not partisan issues." The bill aims to alleviate concerns for parents like Monica Carretero, who highlighted the stress of elopement situations, stating: "Eloping is one of the most nerve-wracking situations that any parent of a child with a disability can have." The proposed plan includes notifying parents, searching the campus, and contacting emergency services if a student goes missing. A similar bill, SB 494, has been filed in the Florida Senate by State Sen. Kristen Arrington, D-District 25. Eskamani noted the bill has garnered bipartisan support and requires hearings in both legislative chambers before potentially being signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

 

News 13

Arts Access Miami, established in 2020, aims to bridge the gaps in arts education across Miami-Dade. Following significant cuts to arts funding during the 2008 recession, many schools lacked consistent arts programs for over a decade. The initiative has led to improved student attendance and engagement in participating schools. “Miami is proving that real change happens when we build together,” said Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, chief executive of Young Musicians Unite. The Central Dade Arts Alliance, part of a broader strategy, will serve over 3,500 students in underserved neighborhoods. Arts Access Miami plans to invest $14.9m in arts education over the next three years, ultimately reaching over 90,000 students by 2028. Alan Valladares, director of Arts Access Miami, emphasized the importance of collaboration in making arts a core part of education.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

In the 2024-25 school year, approximately 400 books were removed from Florida public schools, according to the Florida Department of Education. This marks a decrease from about 700 removals the previous year. Notably, over half of the removed books were from Clay County, located southwest of Jacksonville. The Florida Department of Education is mandated by state law to publish a list of books removed in response to parental objections. This year, the report was released in September, two months earlier than last year, which saw a list of around 700 books.

 

News Herald

The Duval County School Board is preparing to vote on consolidating four underused elementary schools into two, driven by financial challenges. One proposal suggests merging Anchor Academy with Mayport Elementary, while another would transfer students from Long Branch Elementary to R.L. Brown Gifted and Academically Talented Elementary. Board Vice Chair April Carney mentioned the possibility of federal funding to renovate Anchor or build a new school, stating: “We potentially might be able to do something that's never been done in Duval County before.” Concerns have been raised about potential disruptions and whether students will actually transfer to the new schools. Superintendent Christopher Bernier emphasized the importance of the consolidation vote, noting that a 700-student school costs about $8,800 per student to operate, compared to $11,000 for smaller schools. The vote is scheduled for December 1, with changes expected to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

 

The Florida Times-Union

In Florida, there is a growing movement to improve compensation for high school teachers who also serve as coaches. Currently, coaches receive stipends ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for extensive extra hours, which often equates to less than minimum wage. The proposed legislative changes aim to ensure fair pay for coaches but should also extend to all teachers involved in extracurricular activities. Justin Chase, a music director at Lake Nona High School, comments: "Education is built off the good will and free labor of teachers." Clinton McCracken, president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, said: "These programs do far more than fill the calendar. They are the heart of our schools."

 

The Miami Herald

A national study in JAMA found that a one-week social media detox significantly improved mental health in 18- to 24-year-olds. Participants who paused use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat saw reduced anxiety (16%), depression (25%), and insomnia (15%). The largest gains were seen in those with existing moderate to severe depression. Despite reduced social media use, overall phone time slightly increased. “Brief digital detox interventions may offer meaningful mental health benefits,” the study noted, especially for youth with compulsive or problematic social media habits.

 

Ed Source

A new type of lens, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to slow the progression of nearsightedness, or myopia, in children aged 6 to 12. The Essilor Stellest lenses, which utilize concentric rings to refocus light, have shown a 70% reduction in myopia progression over two years. Dr. Michael Repka from Johns Hopkins noted, “It was typically and simply: ‘Your child needs to wear glasses and they'll live with it.’” The lenses are expected to cost around $450, with major vision insurance providers likely covering them. Unlike contact lenses, which are also FDA-approved for myopia, these glasses offer a more comfortable alternative for younger children. While the lenses have shown promising results, further research in the U.S. is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

 

U.S. News

Indian River County's Moonshot Goal aims for 90% of students reading at grade level by third grade. Superintendent David Moore and Barbara Hammond, chief executive of The Learning Alliance, transformed Vero Beach Elementary into a model school, achieving a remarkable increase in reading proficiency from 38% to 71% in just three years. This success stems from integrating proven strategies like instructional coaching and targeted interventions, rather than relying on new technology. The initiative serves as a blueprint for other districts, demonstrating that systemic alignment and community involvement can lead to significant educational improvements.

 

Orlando Sentinel

In the fall 2025 semester, new international student enrollment at U.S. institutions decreased by 17%, primarily due to visa restrictions and government policies, according to a report from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE). This decline is projected to cost the economy $1.1bn, as international students contributed nearly $55bn to the U.S. economy during the 2024-25 academic year. Bjorn Markeson, an economist at Implan, stated: "International students do far more than attend classes—they sustain local economies." The U.S. has historically been the leading host for international students, but the enrollment pipeline is under pressure, with fewer students choosing to study in the U.S. due to restrictive visa policies and changing attitudes abroad. Fanta Aw, NAFSA's executive director and chief executive, remarked on the precarious position of global talent in the U.S., emphasizing the ripple effects of these policy changes on campuses and communities.

 

CNBC

A significant transformation in education is occurring at several universities in South Florida, including Nova Southeastern University and St. Thomas University, which are now offering eight-week courses instead of the traditional 16-week format. While some students appreciate this accelerated learning approach, others find it difficult to manage their time effectively. Kaylyn Lee, a sophomore at NSU, expressed mixed feelings about the change, highlighting the challenges it presents. This shift aims to enhance learning efficiency and adapt to the evolving educational landscape.

 

Sun Sentinel

Following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling which found that religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools have failed to comply with human rights law, Minister for Education Paul Givan has issued guidance to school leaders insisting that "both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement," and that the judgement has not struck down existing legislation. The court recently upheld a 2022 ruling by the High Court in Belfast that religious education and Christian worship were not conveyed in an “objective, critical and pluralistic manner” and therefore breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). A child, known as JR87, and her father sought a judicial review after she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship as part of the curriculum at a controlled primary school, a common form of state-funded school, in Belfast. Her parents “did not wish her to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth” and in 2019 voiced concerns that their daughter’s education “did not appear to conform with their own religious and philosophical convictions." Givan has said he will provide further "legally sound" and comprehensive guidance to schools in the coming weeks, and that his department has "requested further legal advice to understand the full implications of the judgment." 

 

BBC News

The Irish Times