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Florida
11th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida's new history course sparks debate

Florida is introducing a new college-level U.S. history course for high school students, aiming to cover "the full scope" of America's history. However, experts have raised concerns that the proposed curriculum presents a sanitized view of critical topics like slavery. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said: "The FACT U.S. History framework underscores our commitment to instruction grounded in the full scope of our nation's history." Critics, including historian Adam Rothman from Georgetown University, argue that the course lacks depth and fails to address significant issues such as racism, calling it "shoddy" and "not a college-level U.S. history class." The course, which emphasizes Christian faith and American exceptionalism, will be piloted in select school districts starting next school year. While it may offer college credit at Florida's public institutions, its acceptance at out-of-state colleges remains uncertain.

USE ASSESSMENT DATA WITH CONFIDENCE

From Assessment Data to Instructional Impact

Turn assessment results into instructional plans that support stronger literacy outcomes. School leaders across Florida are looking for ways to provide teachers with ongoing insight into student learning while minimizing disruption to classroom instruction. With increasing expectations around early identification, progress monitoring, and effective intervention, educators need accurate and timely information that reflects student progress. Using this insight, school leaders can help address unfinished learning, focus instructional support, and strengthen instruction across classrooms and schools.  

Explore how timely, accurate insight into student learning supports instructional planning, ongoing progress monitoring, and more purposeful instructional decisions that lead to stronger literacy outcomes for students across Florida schools.

Explore Data Insights

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Education Department expands student aid hiring

The Trump administration is ramping up hiring at the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, despite previous efforts to shrink the agency and shift responsibilities to other departments. According to an internal presentation reviewed by Politico, the office plans to hire 334 full-time employees by 2027, increasing staffing levels by roughly 45% from April 2026. The office, which oversees federal student loans, financial aid programs, and loan servicers, had faced some of the department’s deepest layoffs during a government-wide workforce reduction in March 2025. The hiring push comes as the administration continues efforts to dismantle the Education Department, including transferring management of the $1.7tn federal student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. However, the student aid office has also taken on expanded responsibilities from Congress, including implementing new repayment plans, managing grant programs, and processing student loan forgiveness claims.

Reviving the Declaration's legacy

As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, history teachers across the U.S. are striving to make the nation's founding documents relevant to today's students. Karalee Wong Nakatsuka, a history teacher in California, emphasizes the importance of discussing the Declaration's ideals, stating: “From the beginning, we talk about the Declaration.” However, educators face challenges in a politically divided climate, with many feeling pressure to navigate sensitive topics carefully. A recent survey revealed that over half of teachers find teaching civics difficult, with nearly 20% experiencing backlash for their lessons. Despite these challenges, about 80% of teachers prioritize the Revolutionary period and founding documents in their classrooms, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of history among students.

FINANCE

Funding uncertainty plagues Florida schools

Florida school districts, including Orange County Public Schools, are facing significant uncertainty due to delays in state budget approval. This situation is forcing districts to make critical financial decisions without knowing their funding levels for the 2026-27 school year. Angie Gallo, an OCPS board member, expressed the need for a budget that "fully funds public education" and prioritizes teacher pay and school safety. With expected enrollment drops of over 3,000 students, the financial strain is compounded. State leaders have proposed over $16bn for pre-K through 12 education, but districts remain in a holding pattern as they await final funding numbers. Gallo noted: "It delays the process of being able to negotiate with the union and reach a settlement on raises." Lawmakers are set to reconvene to address the budget before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

Leon County schools face funding crisis

Leon County school leaders are urging voters to renew a half-cent sales tax set to expire in 2027 to avoid a projected $620m funding gap for essential facility needs. The tax currently supports school construction, safety upgrades, and technology improvements, with a renewal potentially generating over $500m over 15 years. School board member Laurie Lawson Cox said: "I wish we could do sales tax rather than property tax increase," emphasizing the need for broader community contribution. Parent David West supports the sales tax but opposes overlapping tax structures, urging: "Let's keep some stability to this." If approved, voters will decide on the tax extension in a future ballot. County commissioners will discuss the matter in their upcoming meeting.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Florida students get heart screenings

Florida has enacted the "Second Chance Act," mandating heart screenings for high school student-athletes to identify undiagnosed cardiac conditions. This law was inspired by survivors like UCF student Riley Broadhurst, who experienced sudden cardiac arrest due to an undiagnosed condition. "Three neighbors kept me alive until EMS arrived... they brought me back," Broadhurst said. Starting in July, all new student-athletes must complete a heart screening before participating in sports. The nonprofit "Who We Play For" is partnering with Orlando Health to offer $20 electrocardiograms (EKGs) to ensure accessibility.

EARLY EDUCATION

Florida families embrace VPK program

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that families can enroll in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program while starting a Florida Investment 529 plan for college savings, with the state offering $100 for new accounts. “We've already had more than 13,000 families that are participating in our prepaid VPK partnership,” DeSantis said. Since its inception in the 2005-06 school year, over 3.1m children have benefited from the program. Kiddie Academy of St. Cloud, which opened in February, will officially offer VPK starting in August, focusing on school readiness through its Life Essentials Curriculum. Director Tina Maldonado emphasized the importance of early education, stating: “You see the difference of when children haven't been in school versus when they have.” Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas noted that over 70% of VPK students demonstrate readiness for kindergarten, highlighting the program's impact on families.

TECHNOLOGY

Schools strengthen digital resilience as cloud outage risks grow

K–12 schools are increasingly developing digital resilience strategies as growing reliance on cloud-based systems leaves districts vulnerable to ransomware attacks, severe weather, and technology outages that can disrupt learning and school operations. Education and technology experts say districts should focus on continuity planning rather than attempting to fully replicate cloud platforms locally. Recommended measures include building network redundancies, adding backup internet providers, protecting critical infrastructure with backup power systems, and ensuring key applications and devices can function offline when connectivity is lost. Technology providers including Microsoft and Arista Networks said schools should enable offline access for classroom devices, allowing students and teachers to continue working even during internet disruptions. Once connectivity returns, files and applications can automatically sync back to cloud platforms.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Connected security platforms reshape campus safety

Schools and universities are rapidly moving beyond traditional security tools such as cameras, locks, and alarms toward integrated, AI-enabled platforms that provide real-time monitoring and faster responses to potential threats. Modern campus security systems now combine video surveillance, access control, environmental sensors, and visitor management into unified platforms that allow staff to monitor activity more efficiently and coordinate responses across campuses. AI-powered systems can identify unusual behavior, detect propped-open doors, and surface relevant video footage without requiring staff to constantly watch screens. Education leaders are increasingly prioritizing systems that act as “force multipliers,” helping campuses manage security with limited personnel and resources. Real-time alerts and centralized interfaces are replacing older, reactive systems that were mainly used to review incidents after they occurred. However, experts caution that technology alone cannot guarantee safety.

INTERNATIONAL

Rethink on plan to cut Mexico school calendar amid backlash

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has distanced herself from a proposal to shorten the country’s school year by 40 days to accommodate both extreme heat and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following criticism from parents’ groups and growing political pressure. The proposal, announced Thursday by Education Secretary Mario Delgado, would move the end of the academic year forward from July 15 to June 5, while schools would reopen on August 31. Delgado said the change was intended to respond to a national heat wave and the logistical pressures associated with hosting World Cup matches in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. However, speaking Friday at her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said the plan was not finalized and stressed that the government must also consider students’ instructional time. She acknowledged widespread enthusiasm for soccer and the tournament, but said “there isn’t a set timeline yet” for any adjustment to the academic calendar. The proposal triggered backlash from Mexico’s National Union of Parent Associations, which argued that children’s education should not be compromised for a sporting event taking place in only a handful of municipalities.

India launches major AI teacher training initiative

India has launched one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence (AI)-focused teacher training programs, aiming to train more than 1 m teachers by 2027 and integrate artificial intelligence into everyday classroom teaching. The “AI Literacy for Teachers” initiative was launched by Bodhan AI, an IIT Madras-backed Center of Excellence for AI in Education, and announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the IIT Madras Technology Summit in New Delhi. The program is designed to position AI as a daily classroom assistant rather than a standalone technology tool. Teachers will receive training on using AI for lesson planning, content creation, student assessments, feedback systems, multilingual translation, and administrative support. The rollout will begin with pilot testing in the coming months, followed by the first public cohort on Teachers’Day in September 2026. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, state governments, and other institutions.
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