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Florida
28th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Parents' rights bill sparks controversy

The proposed HB 173 in Florida seeks to amend the Parents' Bill of Rights, eliminating certain rights related to minors' health care. The bill, which passed the House Health and Human Services Committee with a 19-7 vote, would remove provisions allowing physicians to provide care to minors without parental consent if they face health risks. Rep. Shane Abbott said, "I've heard today that we have the highest STI rates in the country... maybe as a parent, we can change a behavior." The bill also limits minors' access to mental health services, allowing only immediate crisis intervention. Critics express concern over the timing, as STI rates and youth suicide remain pressing issues. The bill mandates that school boards inform parents of health screenings for all K-12 students, expanding existing requirements. Sen. Erin Grall sponsors a companion bill, SB 166, which mirrors HB 173.

READING INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

Get FREE Reading Intervention Resources to Raise FAST ELA Scores

Florida’s latest FAST ELA results show that too many students are still below grade‑level proficiency, making strong intervention practices more important than ever. Improving reading comprehension, building background knowledge, and using explicit, research‑based instruction are key to accelerating literacy growth for striving readers.

This curated collection of articles, videos, and downloadable resources was created specifically for Florida educators and administrators who support reading intervention and who are working every day to move more students toward FAST ELA success.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Ed. Dept. slashes sexual assault investigations amid staff cuts and policy shifts

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has sharply reduced its investigations into sexual violence in schools following mass layoffs by the Trump administration. With half its legal staff gone and a backlog exceeding 25,000 cases, the department has opened fewer than 10 sexual violence probes since March 2025, down from dozens annually. Meanwhile, it has increased Title IX investigations into transgender accommodations. Victims now increasingly turn to lawsuits as complaints stall or go unacknowledged. Advocates say this undermines accountability, risks a return to a two-tiered justice system, and erodes decades of civil rights progress. Though the department has pledged to restore some staff, it continues defending the layoffs and its revised Title IX focus.

FINANCE

Leon Countyudget cuts threaten virtual school

The Leon County School Board is grappling with significant budget shortfalls, prompting discussions about the potential closure of Leon County Virtual School (LCVS). Superintendent Rocky Hanna indicated in an email that he would recommend shutting down LCVS due to financial constraints, stating: "Unfortunately, after careful review of historical enrollment data in light of current legislative budget shortfalls, the district is no longer able to sustain the financial gap." Board member Alva Smith expressed concern that the email suggested a decision had already been made. Hanna clarified that any closure would require a board vote, emphasizing, "Only the school board can close the school." The board is exploring various options to save approximately $6.7m, including staffing changes and cuts to arts and athletics, following their annual retreat.

DISTRICTS

Head start expands to new schools in Leon County

Leon County Schools is set to expand its free preschool programs by introducing Head Start at Sealey and Astoria Park Elementary Schools in the 2026-2027 school year. This initiative aims to enhance social-emotional skills and classroom readiness for young children before they enter kindergarten. Darrel James, the director of Head Start at the Capital Area Community Action Agency, emphasized the program's accessibility, stating: “It’s a no-cost program, so for, you know, some kids, some families can afford us to send their children to well-known preschool.” Brooke Brunner, the Director of Early Learning for Leon County Schools, highlighted the program's role in acclimating children to a classroom environment, ensuring they are prepared for academic instruction by the time they reach kindergarten.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Staying safe online: A teacher's tips

Susan Fray, a research and critical thinking teacher at Legacy Middle School in Orlando, emphasizes the importance of online safety for her sixth graders. “Never give your information out,” she advises, highlighting the skills that will serve as building blocks for their future. Fray integrates social-emotional learning in her classroom, stating: “I want the kids to have an opportunity to feel like they’re valued.” Her journey to teaching was unexpected; she initially worked in corporate America but found her passion for teaching through substitute roles. “I started realizing that no matter what I do I’m teaching,” she said. Fray expresses that her students bring her immense joy, saying, “If I’m not here with the kids, I feel a little lost.”

Marion County schools to get security boost

Marion County is poised to implement a weapons-detection system in its schools, potentially enhancing campus safety. This initiative could position Marion County as a leader in school security within Central Florida. The move reflects a growing trend among districts to adopt advanced safety technologies.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Healthconnect expands to boost student wellness

The Children's Trust in Miami-Dade County is significantly expanding its HealthConnect in Our Schools initiative, investing nearly $26m annually to enhance health services for students. This investment, a 29% increase from last year, aims to provide comprehensive health care to hundreds of thousands of students across all Miami-Dade County Public Schools and some charter schools. James R. Haj, President & CEO of The Children's Trust, said, “This significant expansion of our investment and collaboration in HealthConnect reflects our commitment to ensuring all students have access to the health services and education they need to thrive.” The initiative will offer in-person nursing, telehealth, and mobile unit services through six health care agencies, ensuring that medical and mental health support is readily available on campuses. Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, emphasized the link between student health and academic performance, stating, “By increasing access to care, we are empowering our students to stay in the classroom and reach their full potential.”

HEALTH & SAFETY

Heating issues chill Escambia County schools

On Monday, students in Escambia County Public Schools faced cold classrooms due to "sporadic heating problems" reported by CPS spokesman Cody Strother. He noted that less than 10 classrooms experienced issues, all of which were resolved without any schoolwide disruptions. Morning temperatures dropped to 29 or 30 degrees, feeling as low as 18 to 19 degrees during peak hours. Although Bailey Middle School's heating system failed briefly, it was restored before classes began. Parents expressed frustration on social media, with some planning to keep their children home until temperatures improved.

LEGISLATION

Florida bill sparks book ban debate

A new bill in Florida, HB 1119, proposes stricter definitions of harmful material for minors, aiming to prevent books that depict "nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement" from being available in public schools. Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka, who sponsors the bill, emphasized that it is "narrowly focused" on blocking access to pornography and does not intend to ban classical literature. However, critics argue that the bill accelerates book bans and disproportionately targets LGBTQ and marginalized voices. Quinn Diaz from Equality Florida stated: "This bill hurts students, chills education, costs districts millions and exposes taxpayers to more lawsuits." The bill has passed its final committee stage and awaits a vote on the House floor.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Yale to offer free tuition for families earning under $200,000

Yale University has announced that beginning with the fall 2026 class, it will waive tuition for students from families earning under $200,000 annually and cover full costs — including housing and meals — for those with incomes below $100,000. This move aligns Yale with peer institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Penn, which have recently expanded financial aid to boost economic and racial diversity following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling restricting race-based admissions. Under the new policy, about 80% of U.S. households would qualify for free tuition, and nearly half would pay nothing to attend Yale. The initiative also includes travel allowances, medical insurance, and start-up grants for low-income students.

New security measures for campuses

In response to a tragic shooting at Florida State University, state lawmakers are advancing a bill aimed at enhancing security on college campuses. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the plan, which draws from safety measures implemented in public schools after the 2018 Parkland shooting. Rep. Kevin Chambliss, D-Homestead, emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating, “It can happen anywhere, at anytime.” The bill, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, includes provisions for allowing trained employees to carry firearms, developing active assailant response plans, and conducting annual security assessments. Additionally, it proposes creating threat management teams to address potentially dangerous student behavior.

INTERNATIONAL

French Parliament backs U-15 social media ban and school phone curbs

French lawmakers have approved legislation banning access to social media for children under 15 and prohibiting mobile phone use on high school premises. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government and fast-tracked through parliament, the bill was introduced by MP Laure Miller following concerns over the psychological impact of platforms such as TikTok on minors. After legal concerns from France’s top administrative court about compatibility with EU law and fundamental freedoms, the bill was softened and rewritten. The adopted version does not directly impose obligations on platforms but states that access to social networks is prohibited for under-15s, with the government indicating platforms will need to implement age-verification measures. The legislation also includes provisions to protect minors from excessive commercial pressure and harmful content, and could extend to certain social features of messaging apps and popular video games. The government intends for the social media ban to apply to new registrations from September 2026, with full age verification of users required by January 1 2027, allowing the measures to take effect at the start of the next school year.
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