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Florida
15th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida schools lead in graduation success

Florida's high school graduation rates are improving, with the latest data from the Florida Department of Education showing a statewide four-year graduation rate of approximately 92%. However, a closer examination reveals significant disparities between traditional district public schools and charter schools. In the 2024–25 cohort, traditional schools graduated 93.8% of students, while charter schools only graduated 78.4%, a gap exceeding 15 percentage points. Crystal Etienne, president of the EDUVOTER Action Network, emphasized that "Florida’s graduation gains are real, but they are being driven overwhelmingly by traditional district public schools." As policymakers consider education funding and charter expansion, it is crucial to align investments with the schools that yield the best outcomes for students.

SAVVAS - CONNECTING MATH AND STUDENT RELEVANCE

Amplify Real-World Relevance with Place-Based Learning

Students can often feel disconnected from the world outside the walls of their math classrooms. You can transform mathematics from a classroom subject into a lens through which students see, evaluate, and describe their world.  

One new approach to make this a reality is to connect students' lived experiences with place-based learning, encouraging them to find mathematical patterns in their own communities. As students begin to recognize math in their everyday lives, they grow more curious, connect core concepts to real-world STEAM applications, and start to see math as a meaningful problem-solving tool outside the classroom.  

Watch this place-based learning webinar!

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump administration launches 18 new investigations into transgender athlete policies

The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has initiated an investigation into 18 educational institutions, including New York City's public school system, as well as districts in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington state, regarding its policy that permits transgender students to participate in sports teams aligned with their gender identity. The inquiries are based on concerns that their regulations may violate Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational institutions. Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, said: "Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women's rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable." The investigation also encompasses transgender students' access to facilities. In response Mariah Moore, director of policy and programs at Transgender Law Center, said: “Every student, transgender or not, deserves the same respect, safety, and access to opportunities as their peers. These investigations represent another attempt by the Department of Education to exploit Title IX against the students it is supposed to protect.”

Whole milk returns to school lunches after Trump reverses previous restrictions

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing whole milk to be served in schools for the first time in nearly 15 years. This legislation aims to expand milk options for approximately 30m children participating in school meal programs. Trump said: "These changes will be major victories for the American dairy farmers, who we love and who voted for me in great numbers." The law aligns with the administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda, which promotes various health initiatives. Previously, schools were restricted to serving only low-fat and fat-free milk due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The new law permits schools to offer whole or reduced-fat milk alongside lower-fat options, reflecting a shift in dietary guidelines that now encourage full-fat dairy consumption. Implementation of the law is expected to take a few weeks, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

STATE NEWS

New faces join Florida Board of Governors

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed four new members and reappointed two to the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system. The new appointees are Ashley Lukis, Michael Okaty, Keith Perry, and Nick Sinatra, while Ashley Bell Barnett and Charles Lydecker have been reappointed. Lukis, a shareholder at GrayRobinson, P.A., holds degrees from Florida State University. Okaty is a partner at Foley & Lardner and an NYU alumnus. Perry, a former state senator, is the owner of Perry Roofing Contractors, and Sinatra is the founder of Sinatra and Company, with a background in political service. The appointments are pending approval by the Florida Senate, and BOG members serve five-year terms.

FINANCE

School choice costs Leon County millions

Alva Smith, a member of the Leon County School Board, highlighted the financial strain that school choice is placing on the district, remarking: "Enrollment in our traditional public schools has seen a slow and steady decline caused by school choice." The district is grappling with declining enrollment due to competition from charter schools and the Florida Empowerment Scholarships, which have diverted significant funds. In the 2024-25 school year, $18.6m will be allocated to charter schools, funds that could bolster the district's budget. Board members are cautious about closing schools, viewing them as vital community assets, with Rosanne Wood noting that closing a school could save about $1m annually. The board is also considering a tax increase to address financial challenges while maintaining the integrity of public schools.

DISTRICTS

OC schools face potential closure: what’s next?

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is considering the closure or rezoning of seven schools, including Union Park Middle School and Bonneville Elementary School, due to a significant drop in student enrollment. The district faced a nearly $41m deficit last year, and these closures could save approximately $10m. Community meetings will be held from January 14 to January 22 to gather input from parents before any decisions are made. Angie Gallo, OCPS School Board Member for District 1, said, “We’re going to be re-imagining the schools... we’re looking at all different types of options for those schools.” The school board is set to discuss these changes in future meetings, with a public hearing scheduled for March 10.

TECHNOLOGY

AI in education: risks outweigh rewards

According to a report by the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education, the risks of integrating AI into education surpass its potential benefits. The study, which involved K-12 students, parents, educators, and tech experts from 50 countries, highlighted both advantages and disadvantages of AI in classrooms. While AI can enhance learning, particularly for students learning a second language, and ease teachers' workloads, it poses significant threats to students' cognitive and emotional development. Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow at Brookings, said, “We know that richer communities and schools will be able to afford more advanced AI models,” emphasizing the growing inequity in educational resources. The report ultimately suggests that AI could exacerbate existing disparities in education.

NUTRITION

Tater tots recalled in Orange County

Orange County Public Schools has removed tater tots from its cafeterias following a recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall, classified as Class II, was issued by McCain Foods USA Inc on December 3 due to the presence of hard plastic fragments in the products. "The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," the FDA said. The affected items include 21,256 cases of Ore-Ida Tater Tots and 17,597 cases of Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrel, distributed across 26 states, including Florida.

LEGISLATION

Florida's religious expression amendment passes

The proposed constitutional amendment in Florida aims to protect religious expression in public schools, having passed its first legislative committee. The measure, introduced by Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, would allow students to express their religious beliefs in schoolwork and mandates a daily moment of silence. Critics, including Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, argue that the proposal favors Christianity and could undermine science education, stating, "They're pushing or they want to outline things like religious freedoms... but that's not the case." The amendment requires at least 60% voter approval to be added to the constitution if it passes the legislature. Supporters, like John Labriola from the Christian Family Coalition Florida, believe it enshrines freedom of religious expression, saying, "Students continue to get harassed for simply expressing their beliefs." An identical measure is pending in the Florida Senate.

HIGHER EDUCATION

U.S. college enrollment on the rise

Overall college enrollment in the U.S. has increased slightly, reaching 19.4m students, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Matthew Holsapple, senior director of research, stated: "Higher education has stabilized and is growing again." However, this growth is uneven; while public four-year universities and community colleges saw increases, private four-year colleges experienced declines. Notably, community colleges reported a 28% rise in short-term workforce credentials. Courtney Brown from the Lumina Foundation noted that public perception of college value is shifting, emphasizing cost, flexibility, and career relevance. Additionally, international student enrollment in graduate programs fell significantly, influenced by federal policy changes and a decline in computer science majors, attributed to the rise of artificial intelligence. Holsapple expressed optimism, stating: "Students are making different choices, which I think is a real positive for the field." Colleges adapting to these trends are likely to see continued growth.

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa: Boys falling behind as dropout rates surge before matric

South Africa’s Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, has raised alarm over a growing gender gap in matriculation, with only 44% of 2025 matric candidates being boys, compared to 56% girls. The imbalance highlights a trend of boys increasingly dropping out between Grades 10 and 12, often due to repeated academic failure, lack of motivation, and social vulnerabilities such as gang recruitment. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane echoed the concern, stressing that the issue isn’t academic ability, with boys often outperforming girls in maths and science, but rather retention. He noted that dropout rates spike in later grades, disproportionately affecting boys, and called for urgent, targeted intervention to re-engage male students and keep them in school.

 
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