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An audit by the Florida Auditor General revealed significant issues in tracking $270m in voucher funds within the state's $4bn private school voucher program for the 2024-2025 school year. The report indicated potential overpayments for approximately 30,000 students and noted that $47m was sent to families for private school expenses while their children were enrolled in public schools. Jessica Popov, a mental health counselor, expressed concern, stating: "There was a major rush to put this voucher program in place without a lot of oversight and accountability." State Representative Anna Eskamani highlighted the lack of transparency, saying: "This audit specifically states the money did not follow the child." In response, Republican State Senator Don Gaetz is sponsoring Senate Bill 318 to improve tracking and ensure funds are allocated correctly. Gaetz emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent further complications in the future.

 

News 13

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A federal appeals court has denied the Trump administration's request to block the release of millions in grants aimed at addressing the shortage of mental health workers in schools. These grants, established by Congress following the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are intended to help schools hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson previously ruled that the administration's attempt to cancel these grants was arbitrary and capricious. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this ruling, stating that the government failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success in its claims. The grants were initially awarded under President Joe Biden's administration, with a focus on increasing diversity among mental health professionals in schools. Evanson's ruling specifically benefits grantees in 16 Democratic-led states, restoring significant funding in areas like Madera and Marin counties, California.

 

U.S. News

Senate Democrats have accused Education Secretary Linda McMahon of unlawfully dismantling the Education Department by outsourcing key responsibilities to other federal agencies without congressional approval. In a letter signed by 35 senators, including Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), they claim the move undermines public education and burdens states and schools with added bureaucracy. “The other federal agencies that will suddenly have significant responsibilities in administering billions in education funding, have provided no information about their roles or their capacity to carry out these programs and activities,” the senators wrote. “The plan seems clear, to jam these changes through for a talking point, whatever the consequences may be for states, school districts, schools, students, and families.”

 

The Hill

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sparked controversy at the Florida School Boards Association's conference in Tampa by suggesting that school districts “could be shut down.” This statement led to an uproar among district leaders, highlighting the tensions surrounding K-12 education policy in Florida. The discussion reflects ongoing concerns about the future of education in the state.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Frost Fest, hosted by Horizon High School's Student Government Association, will take place on December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 10393 Seidel Road, Winter Garden. This festive event will include gift wrapping, photos with Santa, food, music, and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring a toy or canned goods as an entry fee, all of which will be donated to charity. "This event will welcome the holiday season with a new celebration," said a representative from the Student Government Association.

 

Orange Observer News

Florida's school bus camera program has drawn significant criticism from drivers who feel the appeals process is ineffective. Alicia Clark, an assistant principal, expressed frustration after receiving two citations despite her clean driving record, stating, "I felt very trapped with this." Jason Penny echoed her sentiments, describing the appeals process as a "kangaroo court." Judge John Van Laningham acknowledged the limitations of the law, saying: "It doesn't give us any discretion to do anything but uphold the citation or void the citation." The program, launched in 2023, has resulted in nearly 300,000 violations, raising concerns about due process and fairness in ticketing.

 

WPTV

Drivers in Lee County are facing strict enforcement against illegally passing stopped school buses, with fines starting Monday. The School District of Lee County reported that 2,742 drivers were caught on camera during a 30-day warning period, with 2,678 receiving warning citations. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating, "There's zero tolerance." The fine for violations is set at $225, and the initiative is a collaboration between the school district, the sheriff's office, and BusPatrol. Parents like Chelsea Wilson expressed concern for children's safety, highlighting the need for action. The sheriff's office will review violations to prevent wrongful citations.

 

WINK News

School districts face significant challenges in aligning financial and academic goals due to barriers such as short-term thinking, siloed decision-making, and staff turnover. According to the EdWeek Research Center report, which surveyed 223 educators, 71% identified federal funding uncertainty as a major obstacle. The report outlines six actionable steps for districts, including adopting outcomes-based contracts and promoting internal staff to mitigate turnover. A district leader from Missouri emphasized the impact of federal funding cuts on professional development, explaining: "It's really impacting our ability to provide ongoing professional development." The report highlights the importance of strategic planning and early discussions among stakeholders to ensure alignment with long-term goals.

 

Education Week News

Bettina Gannon, a junior at Oxbridge Academy, has made a name for herself in the world of debate, ranking sixth in Florida and 16th nationwide in Congressional Debate. After placing fifth at the Nova Titan Invitational, she expressed, "It felt like a big milestone that reflected how much I have grown as a debater." Gannon, who is also the junior class president, began her debate journey in her freshman year and has since developed critical skills while advocating for issues like gender equity. She founded the Justice Advocates Network, a nonprofit aimed at supporting victim-survivors of abuse. Christopher Hamilton, her speech and debate teacher, praised her positive impact, stating, "I admire her passion not only for debate but for making the world a better place." Gannon plans to pursue a double major in political science and women and gender studies, with aspirations of attending law school and running for public office to create policies that uplift marginalized voices.

 

Palm Beach Daily News

Waymo has issued software fixes after 19 incidents of its autonomous vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, sparked a federal safety investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is probing the incidents, which were captured on school bus cameras. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, said the violations stemmed from a software issue, now resolved, and acknowledged the need to better follow road rules. Critics have raised broader concerns about the safety and oversight of driverless cars, despite Waymo’s claims of a lower crash rate than human drivers.

 

ABC News

Reuters

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has launched a comprehensive review into student learning outcomes following the release of disappointing EQAO standardized test results. The data showed that only 58% of Grade 9 and 51% of Grade 6 English-language students met provincial standards in math, figures that have seen only marginal improvement over the past year. Calandra criticized the lack of progress despite the government's back-to-basics education reforms and placed further emphasis on addressing achievement gaps in reading, writing, and math. An advisory body will be appointed to lead the review, coinciding with increased provincial oversight of several school boards, including Toronto and Near North. Critics, including the Ontario Liberals and the teachers' union, have challenged the delay in releasing the results and questioned the government’s priorities.

 

Toronto Sun

CBC News

Toronto Star