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Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas discussed allowing charter schools to operate within public school facilities during the Florida School Boards Association's conference in Tampa on December 4. He emphasized the importance of evaluating the implications of such arrangements, stating, "We need to ensure that all students have access to quality education." The conversation around this issue continues to evolve as stakeholders weigh the benefits and challenges of integrating charter schools into public spaces.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Get more 3s on the FAST ELA

According to the FLDOE, FAST ELA scores are hovering at 52% for level 3 proficiency for grades 3-5 in the 2024 and 2025 school years. 
More students reached level 3 proficiency on the FAST ELA in districts implementing HMH Into Reading Florida vs. other curricula across grades 3-5. 
Analyze prose and poetry for theme, comprehend main idea and text structure of informational texts, and build academic vocabulary to get more 3s on the FAST.  

Access free ELA resources to boost FAST scores, including SOR eBook

 

The Secure Rural Schools Act, which provides essential funding for school districts surrounded by untaxed federal land, expired in fall 2023. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly, 399 to 5, to extend the program through 2027 and provide retroactive payments to affected districts. Jaime Green, the superintendent of Trinity Alps USD, emphasized the importance of the program, commenting: "If the Secure Rural Schools Act was extended, financially we will be alright for years to come." The program, originally enacted as a temporary measure, has faced funding lapses due to congressional disagreements. The recent extension aims to stabilize funding for rural schools, which have been significantly impacted by the decline of the logging industry and the federal government's ownership of land.

 

Los Angeles Times

Handy, a nonprofit organization, has filed a lawsuit against the Broward School District in Broward County Circuit Court, claiming it is owed full payment for a $2.6m lease. The lease was intended to provide space for district employees at Handy's building located at 2101 N. Andrews Ave. in Wilton Manors. The district terminated the lease, prompting Handy to seek legal recourse.

 

Sun Sentinel

Florida's Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is considering closing several campuses due to declining enrollment, which has resulted in significant budget shortfalls. OCPS has lost about 6,500 students this year, equating to a loss of approximately $50m in state funding. The district is facing pressure from charter schools seeking to occupy under-enrolled public school buildings, a move critics have labeled a "land grab." The trend of falling enrollment is not isolated to Orange County; Broward County has also reported a loss of around 10,000 students.

 

Orlando Sentinel

The Brevard School Board is contemplating the consolidation of Cape View Elementary with Roosevelt Elementary, with a public hearing set for January 20, 2026. Cape Canaveral's city council has urged the school board to keep Cape View open, emphasizing the need for community collaboration to boost enrollment. Community members have consistently voiced their support for Cape View, which is the only public elementary school in Cape Canaveral. The proposed changes would also affect students from Central Middle School, redirecting some to Johnson Middle School to reduce commute times.

 

Florida Today

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has expressed strong opposition to the Senate Banking Committee's proposed crypto market structure bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act. AFT President Randi Weingarten stated: "If passed, it will undercut the safety of many assets and cause problems across retirement investments." The AFT argues that the legislation poses "profound risks to the pensions of working families and the overall stability of the economy." Concerns include the potential for widespread fraud and the erosion of protections for traditional securities. Weingarten emphasized that the bill could lead to unsafe assets in pension and 401(k) plans, warning that it may lay the groundwork for the next financial crisis. The AFT's stance reflects broader apprehensions among labor unions and state officials regarding the implications of the bill on financial oversight and consumer protection.

 

CNBC

In Tampa, Florida, students from Freedom High School collaborated with Rep. Susan Valdés to draft House Bill 667, aimed at enhancing safety for e-bike riders. The proposed legislation mandates that all e-bike users under 18 wear helmets and is set to take effect on July 1 if passed. This initiative is part of Hillsborough County's "Ought To Be a Law" program, which empowers high schoolers to research and advocate for real laws.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Anthony Cook, a member of the Osceola County School Board, announced his resignation effective January 19, 2026, calling it "one of the hardest messages I've ever had to share." Cook cited personal loss and the need to prioritize his well-being and family as reasons for his decision, emphasizing that it was made "after much deliberation and prayer." Osceola School Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff described the announcement as "tough for the team to process," acknowledging Cook's significant contributions to the district.

 

Osceola News-Gazette

Tim Mills, the first Black drum major at Buchholz High, has dedicated his life to inspiring young musicians as the director of the Westside Elementary Marching Eagles, Volusia County's only elementary school marching band. Mills, who graduated from Bethune-Cookman University, started the band in 2010 with just 10 students, and it has since grown to 21 members.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Orange County Public Schools is taking action to address declining student enrollment by hiring a recruiter. The school board is collaborating with Caissa K12, a recruitment firm that has successfully brought back approximately 1,900 students to the district, generating over $900 per student.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

The Unique Abilities School Fair is a vital resource for parents of children with disabilities, offering access to over 30 schools and education providers. This event allows parents to meet school leaders, schedule campus tours, and connect with educators who understand their children's unique needs. The fair continues to make stops across Florida, providing essential resources for families seeking the best educational fit for their children.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The U.S. Education Department has agreed to end former President Joe Biden’s SAVE student loan repayment plan as part of a proposed settlement with Republican-led states who argued it was too generous. SAVE, which offered low or $0 payments and early loan forgiveness for low-income borrowers, will stop accepting new applications, and 7m current enrollees will be shifted to other plans. Borrowers must soon choose between fixed or income-driven options, ahead of the rollout of new Republican-backed repayment plans in 2026. The change comes as 12m borrowers are already behind on payments, raising concerns about a potential default wave.

 

NPR

New research by DCU’s Create centre has found that 86% of primary and post-primary teachers in Ireland are experiencing moderate to high levels of personal and work-related burnout. The 2025 Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Research report, which surveyed over 1,000 educators, identified workload as the primary contributor, alongside unrealistic parental expectations, complex work structures, and challenges in supporting students with special educational needs. In response, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has called on Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to establish an independent review of teacher workload, mirroring a recent initiative in Northern Ireland. INTO General Secretary John Boyle warned that “intolerable and unmanageable demands” are fuelling burnout, contributing to teacher shortages and vacancies.

 

RTÉ

Rod Paige, the first Black and first educator to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education, has died at 92. Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, Paige championed the No Child Left Behind Act, a landmark education reform focused on standardized testing and accountability to close achievement gaps. Though initially celebrated, the law later faced mounting criticism for its rigid mandates and inadequate support for underperforming schools. Paige’s tenure was marred by controversies, including inflammatory comments about teachers’ unions and a public relations scandal. A former Houston schools superintendent, Paige remained active in education after leaving office, co-authoring books and briefly leading Jackson State University.

 

New York Times

The Texas Tribune