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Florida
18th March 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

New law boosts autism education in Florida

Florida has enacted a new law, HB 851, mandating that all 67 school districts provide at least one annual autism-specific professional learning opportunity for instructional personnel and school-based administrators. This legislation, carried by freshman Rep. Rob Long, aims to enhance the education of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by focusing on evidence-based strategies. Long explained: "For families navigating autism, the quality of teacher preparation can make an enormous difference in a child’s experience at school." The law reflects a growing trend to expand support for students with autism, differing from other states that typically target specialized educators. Alongside this, Long has supported additional measures to improve firefighter benefits and address harmful chemicals in the environment.

STATE NEWS

New bill boosts school board transparency

The Florida House and Senate have unanimously passed the District School Board Member's Bill of Rights, inspired by Volusia County School Board member Donna Brosemer's struggles with public records. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislation will ensure school board members have "free and timely access to all school district documents" necessary for their duties. It also allows them to comment publicly on relevant matters, excluding student and employee disciplinary hearings. The bill also prohibits school districts from requiring employees to sign non-disclosure agreements, addressing past controversies in Volusia County Schools.

NATIONAL NEWS

School equity gains slip

An Education Law Center analysis found that while most states held steady or modestly increased school funding from 2022 to 2023, more than 10 reduced the share going to high-poverty districts, reversing a decade-long pattern. Research director Danielle Farrie said: “In order to be fair, school funding must be both adequate and equitable.” The report identified 17 progressive states in 2023, down from 28 in 2022. It also showed wide variation in per-pupil funding, with New York highest and Idaho lowest, while advocates warned long-term inequities remain entrenched.

FINANCE

Miami-Dade schools face budget crisis

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is grappling with a significant budget crisis due to an "unprecedented" drop in enrollment, according to chief financial officer Ron Steiger. The district's budget for the current school year is $7.4bn, already reduced by $100m, with potential further cuts of $52m next year. Steiger emphasized: "If we lose $100m, it’s very difficult not to impact the classroom in some way." The district has seen a decline of 13,200 students this year, attributed to fewer immigrant families moving to South Florida. Superintendent Jose Dotres noted that new student registrations from abroad have plummeted from 14,000-22,000 to just 3,000 this year. If the trend continues, the district could face an additional loss of 8,000 students next year, leading to a potential revenue shortfall of $14.9m. 

GOVERNANCE

School board prayers spark controversy

The Freedom From Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State have raised concerns over the Duval County School Board's practice of starting meetings with Christian prayers. Since Charlotte Joyce became chair in December 2024, the board has shifted from student-led thoughts to clergy-led invocations, which critics argue violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. Samantha Lawrence, a staff attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, stated: "Out of respect for the First Amendment and the diversity of the Duval County Public Schools community, we urge the Board to cease opening its meetings with invocations." The board maintains that it is a legislative body entitled to host invocations, but advocacy groups are monitoring the situation closely.

DISTRICTS

Florida students struggle with civic knowledge

Last year, fewer than half of Florida high school students passed the Florida Civic Literacy Exam, with a statewide pass rate of only 44%. John Legg, the superintendent of Pasco County Schools, emphasized the importance of civic understanding, claiming: "A strong republic depends on citizens who understand both the rights and responsibilities of self-government." In response to these concerning results, Pasco County Schools is launching the Pasco Civic Scholar Program to recognize students who excel in civic knowledge and encourage careers in public service. Additionally, the Pasco Civic Scholarship will support a graduating student pursuing public service, while a partnership with the University of South Florida will offer a Public Service Leadership Program.

Art shines at Volusia exhibit

The 54th annual Volusia Students Create exhibition is currently showcasing 120 artworks from K-12 students across 50 Volusia County Schools at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Garden, running until April 26. The opening reception featured a variety of 2D and 3D pieces, all selected by teachers and judged by board members for awards. 

TEACHING

Practical money skills gain ground

Personal finance is increasingly replacing economics in U.S. high schools, with 39 states now requiring a standalone course for graduation, up from recent years, while only 22 states mandate economics, according to a forthcoming report from the Council for Economic Education. States including Texas, California, and Indiana have shifted toward practical financial education, reflecting demand for real-world skills such as budgeting, investing, debt management, and navigating rising student debt, which now totals $1.7tn. The change is driven by the growing financial complexity facing young people, from student loans to gambling and self-employment, as well as evidence that financial education improves decision-making, including during economic shocks.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

New coalition tackles opioid crisis

During a recent commission meeting, Osceola County approved a new agreement with Uplift, led by the Brevard Prevention Coalition, to enhance prevention efforts as part of the county's Opioid Settlement Plan. The $200,000 agreement will fund Uplift services until June 2027, focusing on education about naloxone and engaging with schools and healthcare providers. Park Place Behavioral Health Center, which serves 9,000 individuals, is expanding its services to include adolescent detox programs.

LEADERSHIP

Elementary leaders invited to join National Principals Association

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is rebranding as the National Principals Association (NPA) to include elementary school leaders, marking a significant shift in K–12 leadership. Ronn Nozoe, the chief operating officer for NPA, stated: "We're excited about reaching folks who are not currently affiliated because every single school leader deserves this kind of support." This expansion aims to enhance professional development and advocacy for all grade levels, addressing challenges such as teacher pipelines and student mental health. The NPA will also reorganize its leadership structure to ensure equitable representation across all educational levels. As the association evolves, it seeks to foster collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) while maintaining its unique identity.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Electric school buses could lower power bills for all consumers

Electric school buses could help reduce electricity prices for all consumers by improving grid efficiency, as their flexible charging schedules allow utilities to increase off-peak usage and spread fixed infrastructure costs across more users without major new investment. Charging overnight or during periods of excess solar generation, combined with managed charging systems, enables buses to add demand when the grid has spare capacity, while vehicle-to-grid technology allows them to feed power back into the system, reducing peak demand and lowering overall costs. These capabilities can also generate revenue for school districts and provide backup power during outages. With U.S. household electricity bills up about 30% since 2021, research showing electric vehicles have delivered net financial benefits to the grid strengthens the case for wider adoption, positioning electric school buses as a scalable tool to lower costs, improve grid resilience, and support the transition to cleaner energy.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU expands hospitality and entrepreneurship degrees

Florida State University (FSU) is set to introduce new master's and doctoral degrees in hospitality management and a doctoral degree in entrepreneurship, starting in fall 2027, pending approval from the Florida Board of Governors. The master's program will focus on industry needs, while the PhD will emphasize research to train future faculty. The initiative responds to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality sector, which saw 143.3m visitors in Florida in 2025. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that leisure and hospitality management roles are among the fastest-growing professions.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico eyes youth safeguards

Mexico is exploring the introduction of a minimum age for social media use, with Education Minister Mario Delgado citing concerns over the impact of unregulated platforms on young people’s mental health and a lack of accountability from major tech companies. Inspired by recent legislation in Australia and France, the government has launched consultations with experts, communities, and industry stakeholders, with proposals expected by June, while parallel regional efforts such as Jalisco’s proposed restrictions in schools signal increasing domestic momentum for tighter regulation.
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