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The abrupt termination of federal grants for school mental health services has left many initiatives in jeopardy. Ian Levy, an assistant professor of school counseling at Rutgers University, expressed disappointment, commenting: "The grant funding would have ended in five years, but the work of the grant would have lived well beyond the period." The U.S. Department of Education terminated these grants, citing inconsistencies with the new administration's priorities. This decision affects 174 initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of mental health professionals in schools, which are crucial given the ongoing mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding cuts have prompted appeals and legal challenges from affected organizations, but few have been successful. As a result, many school districts may struggle to retain newly hired counselors, further impacting student mental health services.

 

Education Week News

Unify Your Fleet Fast

School transportation teams are under constant pressure to deliver safer, more reliable routes with fewer staff, tighter budgets, and rising parent expectations. This white paper shows how districts are eliminating operational chaos by moving to one integrated platform built specifically for student transportation. Instead of juggling multiple routing tools, telematics vendors, and driver apps, transportation leaders gain a single system that ties together live fleet data, turn-by-turn navigation, ridership verification, on-time performance metrics, and parent communication. The result is fewer late buses, fewer ghost stops, and dramatically less manual work. Real-time dashboards let teams spot problems before they escalate. Drivers get clear, consistent instructions. Parents get accurate ETAs. Leaders get the visibility they need to run a safer, more efficient operation. If your transportation department is ready to replace workarounds with a connected, purpose-built ecosystem, this white paper lays out the roadmap.

Download the white paper

 

The White House and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) have endorsed the SCORE Act, a bill aimed at regulating college sports, despite criticism that it favors the NCAA and its most influential schools. The House is set to vote on the legislation, which has garnered significant Republican support but faces opposition from Democrats. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a key critic, described the situation as “a David and Goliath fight,” arguing that the bill would disproportionately empower the SEC and Big Ten conferences. The USOPC, while initially withholding support, has indicated readiness to collaborate on a model that benefits Olympic sports. The NCAA claims the bill codifies rules from a multibillion-dollar lawsuit settlement allowing player compensation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) acknowledged concerns regarding federal involvement in college sports, highlighting the contentious nature of the legislation. The SCORE Act aims to establish stability and national standards in college athletics, according to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

 

U.S. News

Significant changes have been proposed by state lawmakers regarding Florida Virtual School courses. The lawmakers aim to eliminate priority enrollment categories, which could impact many students. This shift in policy reflects ongoing debates about accessibility and equity in K-12 education across the state.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Nadia Bellande, a parent of a student at Orange Center Elementary, has observed the school's commitment to supporting its students. She highlighted the positive impact the institution has on its community. The school has garnered praise for its effective programs and nurturing environment, making it a standout choice for families in the area.

 

Click Orlando

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a proposed order against Illuminate Education, requiring the ed-tech firm to delete unnecessary student data, strengthen its cybersecurity practices, and cease making misleading privacy claims after breaches in 2021–22 exposed data of over 10m K–12 students. The FTC found the company had weak security measures, delayed breach disclosures, and stored sensitive data improperly. The order mandates a comprehensive security overhaul, detailed data retention policies, and regular audits, with penalties of up to $51,000 per violation if finalized. 

 

Compliance Week

Government Technology

Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association (FEA), writes for Florida Politics to criticize the "heinous" charter co-location bill, which he says is exacerbating existing problems in a public school system that is "under-resourced by design", pointing to figures showing that the state "continues to rank 50th in the nation in average teacher salary". The co-location bill, he argues, allows "unaccountable, for-profit charter school companies to come take over your neighborhood public schools, displacing students and programs and forcing out families they don’t feel fit their image".

 

Florida Politics

The Broward School Boundary Committee has recommended that five of the eight schools proposed for closure remain open. The committee, comprising around 50 members, is urging the School Board to reconsider the closures of Glades Middle in Miramar and Walter C. Young Middle in Pembroke Pines, among others. Jacqui Luscombe, a member of the committee, voiced her concerns during a meeting, emphasizing the importance of these schools to the community. "We need to prioritize our students and their education," Luscombe said.

 

Sun Sentinel

Santa Rosa County District Schools and Escambia County Public Schools have urged state lawmakers to address issues with Family Empowerment Scholarship funding that have led to funding shortfalls. The districts have pointed to evidence showing that while thousands of students who receive Family Empowerment Scholarships end up enrolled in their public schools, the current structure of education financing means districts are missing out. Santa Rosa Superintendent Karen Barber said she respects parents' right to choose the right school for their children - but that when "families choose Santa Rosa County District Schools, we believe those resources should come with the student. Our goal is to ensure every child we serve is fully supported and the funding follows the student."

 

Pensacola News Journal

Varsity Lakes Middle School in Lehigh Acres has successfully eliminated its teacher vacancies, dropping from 24 in 2023 to none this year, according to the School District of Lee County. This turnaround reflects a district-wide trend, with vacancies reduced from 222 to 19. Students like Kirsten and Rachel shared their past struggles with teacher absences, stating: "Sometimes we'd have teachers, and we would go to the cafeteria." Principal Chevoneese Anderson Thomas credited the district's support and a schedule change for the improvement, saying, "The district realized what was happening on this campus and made a unique decision." The district's commitment to enhancing the educational environment is evident, with teaching positions increasing from 5,300 to 5,500 this year.

 

WINK News

Leon County Schools has revealed its top five finalists for the Teacher of the Year award: Kenneth Horne, Lois Sellers, Lorraine Thompson, Tara Williams, and Whitney Johnson. The winner will be announced on December 8 and will have the opportunity to compete for the Florida Teacher of the Year title, which includes a $50,000 cash prize and other benefits. Kenneth Horne, a civics teacher, is praised for his dedication, with Principal Anthony McQuade stating: "He truly has a heart of gold and would do anything for his students." Other finalists include Lois Sellers, Lorraine Thompson, Tara Williams, and Whitney Johnson, each recognized for their unique contributions to education and their students.

 

Tallahassee.com

In Florida, a new requirement mandates that public school students graduate with essential financial literacy skills. The Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, ensures that students take a personal finance course, with the class of 2027 being the first to graduate under this law. Students are already gaining valuable skills, with some becoming QuickBooks-certified at just 16. This initiative aims to address the high debt levels seen in South Florida, where many young adults struggle with financial management.

 

NBC Miami

NBC Miami

School attendance in Australia remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with only 62% of students attending at least 90% of school days in 2025 compared to 73% in 2019. Experts cite cultural shifts, more permissive parenting styles, and increased digital distractions at home as contributing factors. The national average attendance rate is 88.8%, with the government targeting a return to 91.4% by 2030. Education leaders warn that sustained low attendance could harm workforce reliability and the broader economy, calling for a national strategy to improve student resilience and daily school engagement.

 

The Australian