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Florida
24th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

VPK program sees 13,000 families enroll

Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program has seen over 13,000 families participate just four months after its launch, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Established in 2005-06, the VPK program offers free prekindergarten to all four-year-olds, focusing on literacy and math, regardless of family income. Since its inception, more than 3.1m students have benefited. Parents can also receive a $100 bonus upon applying. DeSantis emphasized the program's success, stating:"This is a huge thing to have this many people signing up so soon after the launch." Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Stasi Kamoutsas highlighted the initiative's goal of prioritizing families, saying, "It's called putting students first." The program is part of a broader effort to enhance early childhood education and financial planning for families.

THE LATEST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

What’s Shaping Special Education in Florida Today

As guidance around special education continues to evolve, Florida leaders are navigating how best to support students with learning disabilities while staying aligned to current research and practice. To help leaders stay current, a curated collection of the latest special education insights and free resources brings together expert perspectives, research‑aligned guidance, and recent district evidence.

Notably, a Miami‑Dade County Public Schools study examining students with IEPs using Read 180 found significant gains in reading performance, including increases in Lexile® measures and FAST ELA scores. Together, these resources highlight current thinking on special education as intervention and instructional approaches used to support students with learning disabilities within broader systems of support.


 

STATE NEWS

Florida lawmakers face budget showdown

Florida lawmakers are set to reconvene for a special session on May 12 to finalize the state budget after weeks of negotiations. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, announced the session will conclude on May 29. The new budget is expected to be lower than the current $116.5bn plan, marking the second consecutive year the Republican-controlled Legislature has failed to pass an on-time budget. "I look forward to continue our work on crafting a responsible, balanced budget," Perez said. Despite progress in negotiations, significant differences remain, particularly in funding for education, health care, and environmental programs. Gov. Ron DeSantis has expressed frustration over the delay, stating, “Dragging this out is certainly not advisable.”

Florida lawmakers reconsider vaccine exemptions

Florida lawmakers are set to revisit a proposal to expand vaccine exemptions for school children amid a measles outbreak that has reached 145 cases, the fourth-highest in the nation. Gov. Ron DeSantis has added this controversial issue to the agenda for an upcoming special session, despite previous rejection of the “Medical Freedom Act.” House Speaker Daniel Perez expressed skepticism, stating, “In the middle of a measles outbreak, it's tough for me to allow for children in schools to not have the measles vaccine.” The proposed bill, SB 1756, would permit parents to opt-out of required vaccinations for various reasons, raising concerns about public health. With Florida's childhood vaccination rates dropping to around 88%, the need for herd immunity is critical.

CHARTERS

Miami-Dade school board approves charter deal

The Miami-Dade School Board has unanimously approved an agreement allowing Success Academy, a New York-based charter organization, to operate within five district high schools. This unprecedented arrangement signifies a major shift in Florida's largest school district, which has traditionally kept charter schools separate from district facilities. Supporters argue that this policy enhances educational options for families, while critics express concerns over local control and funding redirection. “Elections have consequences,” said District 1 member Steve Gallon. Success Academy plans to enroll 186 students starting in August 2027, sharing resources with existing schools. The deal has sparked debate over the implications for public education in the district, with community members voicing their frustrations over limited oversight and input in the decision-making process.

FINANCE

Budget cuts hit Lee County schools hard

Parents in Lee County are expressing frustration over impending budget cuts that threaten school funding. The Lee County School District is facing a nearly $50m budget deficit, leading to potential staffing cuts and significant reductions at schools like Edison Park, which could lose up to $700,000. The district is evaluating positions and resources to focus on high-quality instruction, citing lower enrollment and declining property values as contributing factors to the crisis.

WORKFORCE

Payroll blunder leaves teachers in debt

Thousands of employees at Volusia County Schools were overpaid due to mistakes linked to a new payroll system, district officials said. As a result, many staff members now face the prospect of repaying the excess funds. The situation has raised concerns among employees about the financial implications of the errors.

DISTRICTS

Civil rights complaint filed over antisemitism

A civil rights complaint has been filed against Bay District Schools, alleging antisemitic harassment at A. Crawford Mosley High School. The complaint claims that an 11th-grade student endured years of bullying, culminating in classmates presenting antisemitic themes and performing Nazi salutes. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Akerman Law Firm have urged the U.S. Department of Education to enforce a zero-tolerance policy and mandatory antisemitism training. "By any measure, the antisemitic harassment and discrimination present in this school district was overwhelming and pervasive," said James Pasch, ADL vice president of litigation. The complaint alleges a pattern of discrimination that has persisted since the student’s earlier schooling, with the student reportedly attempting to hide his Jewish identity due to the harassment. Bay District Schools stated that the incident was investigated and addressed, emphasizing their commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

NTSB calls for breath-test technology to prevent impaired driving

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that all new school buses be equipped with alcohol-detection systems that can prevent operation if a driver is impaired, following a serious crash in West Virginia involving a drunk driver that injured multiple children. The agency said the issue is not isolated, citing past cases of school bus drivers being arrested or cited for driving under the influence, and emphasized that higher safety standards are needed given the responsibility of transporting children. While the cost and implementation details remain unclear, widespread adoption would likely require federal or state regulation and possibly congressional action. Although school buses are generally considered safe, with relatively few passenger fatalities compared to other vehicles, the NTSB argues that adding alcohol-detection technology could further reduce risks, despite potential resistance from industry stakeholders over costs and operational concerns.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Massive response to school threats

Jensen Beach High School faced bomb threats and an active shooter warning on Tuesday, prompting an immediate lockdown. Frank Frangella, chief of safety and security for the Martin County School District, reported that students, teachers, and staff effectively followed the "run, hide, fight" protocol. "They all did exactly what they were supposed to do," said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, praising the response. The threats were later determined to be hoaxes, with the panic stemming from a starter gun at a track meet.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles scare hits Palm Beach schools

Parents in Wellington are concerned after Palm Beach County School District reported a measles case within the Wellington Community High School community. The district has not disclosed whether the infected individual is a student or staff member, only stating that the person was not at school while contagious. The CDC warns that measles is "very contagious" and can lead to "serious health complications." Vaccination rates in Palm Beach County have dropped slightly, with only 88.3% of the most recent kindergarten class vaccinated, raising concerns about potential outbreaks. Florida currently ranks fourth in the nation for measles cases, with 130 reported as of April 16.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Data center sparks fierce local backlash

The plan for a data center by Indian River State College near Lake Okeechobee has ignited significant opposition from local residents and prompted a reversal from the DeSantis administration, which initially supported the project with $1.5m in funding. College president Timothy Moore stated: “All I'm trying to do is answer a digital workforce training shortfall by building a digital workforce training site.” However, concerns about environmental impacts and the historical significance of the site, previously home to the Florida School for Boys, have led to community unrest. The Florida Department of Commerce accused the college of misleading state officials, resulting in the withdrawal of future funding. As local apprehension grows, residents fear the project may lead to larger data center operations, despite assurances from college officials that the initial plan is for a smaller educational facility.

INTERNATIONAL

New Brunswick replaces pay-what-you-can school meal plan with fixed-price system

New Brunswick will begin rolling out a new school lunch program next week using a shared-cost model, with families paying C$4-C$5 ($2.92-$3.65) per meal while the government subsidizes the remainder, abandoning its earlier pledge for a pay-what-you-can system. Education officials said the change was made to ensure long-term sustainability, citing evidence from other provinces where voluntary contributions have declined significantly, although additional support for families unable to afford the cost is expected to be outlined. The program will initially launch in select schools, offering multiple meal options, and forms part of a broader effort to improve student nutrition and access to healthy food, while policymakers and advocates continue to debate the merits of fully universal free school meal programs.
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