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Florida
25th May 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Cybersecurity remains top priority for K-12 technology leaders

Cybersecurity remains the leading technology concern for U.S. school districts, while adoption of formal artificial intelligence guidelines has accelerated sharply over the past year, according to the Consortium for School Networking’s State of EdTech 2026 report. The survey of more than 600 K-12 technology leaders found that nearly 80% of districts now have AI guidelines in place, up from 57% in 2025, as schools increasingly focus on managing technology safely and effectively amid rising cyber threats and tighter budgets. District leaders said budget constraints, limited resources, staffing shortages, and insufficient professional development remain major barriers to implementing technology-driven learning environments, while procurement processes are becoming more focused on security, interoperability, and instructional value. The report also found that many districts continue to face staffing shortages in cybersecurity and instructional technology support, even as schools adopt more structured processes for vetting digital tools and monitoring risks associated with students’ personal device usage.

STATE NEWS

Enrollment crisis hits Florida schools

Miami-Dade County has reported a significant decline in student enrollment, losing over 20,000 students, which is the largest drop in Florida. The state's five largest school districts collectively lost nearly 68,000 students from the 2023-24 to the 2025-26 school years, according to figures from the Lee County School District. This decline is expected to lead to budget cuts, potential school closures, and the elimination of teacher positions. Miami-Dade is considering closing or repurposing nine schools, while Broward County lost 17,727 students, Hillsborough lost 12,311, Orange lost 8,090, and Palm Beach County saw a drop of 8,939 students.

Florida credits need support

The Tampa Bay Times highlights a Helios Education Foundation report warning that Florida students entering college with high school-earned credits may need stronger guidance. While credits can save tuition and accelerate degrees, students reported challenges with faster pacing, larger classes, limited time for internships and uneven advising. Some credits did not apply to majors, while others restricted course options. Paul Perrault, Helios senior vice president and report co-author, said, “Now we need to put the supports in place to make it great.” He urged students to contact university advisers early and build academic plans before campus arrival.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Florida families rally for autism care

Milagros Gil, a teacher, is witnessing the negative effects of recent changes to autism services in Florida. Families, educators, and therapy providers gathered to protest the new policy, which they argue jeopardizes critical care for children with autism and other developmental conditions. "This is the saddest thing I've ever seen," Gil said, describing how students are losing skills they had developed over years. The policy, effective since February last year, shifted Medicaid coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to private managed care plans, aiming to reduce costs and combat fraud. However, critics claim this broad approach harms legitimate providers and families, leading to reduced access to therapy and longer waitlists. Yolanda Roman, a concerned mother, emphasized: "You know what happens when you cut the hours for these kids. They go back." The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration stated that the changes aim to improve care quality and ensure service availability.

WORKFORCE

Unions face pressure from new law

Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, is gearing up for a significant challenge as Florida's new law complicates the survival of teachers' unions. The legislation, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, mandates stricter voting requirements for union recertification, raising the threshold for membership to 60% and requiring at least 50% of eligible employees to vote. Other union leaders have criticized the new rules as hypocritical, noting that elected officials rarely meet such standards.

DISTRICTS

Miami-Dade students earn degrees early

This year, over 500 Miami-Dade County Public Schools high school students achieved a significant milestone by earning their Associate in Arts degrees prior to graduating high school. This accomplishment highlights the effective collaboration between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Miami Dade College, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and preparing students for future success. Roberto J. Alonso, vice chair of the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees, said: “Seeing hundreds of our students graduate high school with a college degree already in hand is not just an accomplishment, it is a reflection of what is possible when institutions work together with purpose.” Through dual enrollment and early college programs, students can take college-level courses while still in high school, significantly reducing the time and cost to earn a degree.  

Cape View Elementary closes permanently

Cape View Elementary School has permanently closed its doors after 62 years of operation, primarily due to a significant decline in enrollment. The school, which once served over 300 students, will now see its remaining students transition to Roosevelt Elementary in Cocoa Beach. This decision, finalized by the Brevard County School Board in January 2026, was driven by a 25% decrease in student numbers over the past five years and increasing financial pressures, including a budget shortfall of $1.5m. Despite community efforts to advocate for the school's continuation, the board chose to merge with Roosevelt Elementary. The shift in Florida's education policy, particularly the introduction of school vouchers, has further exacerbated the decline in public school enrollments. 

Bonneville Elementary bids farewell

The closure of Bonneville Elementary School has left students and parents grappling with mixed emotions. Katherine Rosales expressed her daughter's fears about transitioning to a new school, saying: "She's scared about going to a new school, what it's going to be like." The school, which opened in 1961, is one of seven Orange County Public Schools set to close due to declining enrollment, with Bonneville currently housing only 382 students in a facility designed for 938. Teacher Renee Smithwick, who organized the farewell event, described it as "bittersweet," aiming to create a joyful atmosphere despite the sadness. The district has faced significant enrollment losses attributed to various factors, including declining birth rates and increased immigration enforcement. 

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Miami-Dade schools unite for $85m project

The Miami-Dade County School Board has commissioned the James B. Pirtle Construction Company and Silva Architects LLC for a significant project with an $85m budget. This initiative will merge the Arthur & Polly Mays 6-12 Conservatory of the Arts and Pine Villa Elementary into a new K-12 facility, expected to be completed by June 2029. The new campus will feature a Lower Academy for K-5 students, including art and music labs, and an Upper Academy for grades 6-12, with classrooms for various subjects and specialized facilities. The project also emphasizes environmental standards, aiming for an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 25 or less, significantly lower than the average of 56. "The project must adhere to one of the approved nationally recognized green building rating systems," said the board.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Goodwill empowers students with disabilities

Volusia County's Exceptional Student Education Program partners with Goodwill's Orange City store to provide hands-on training for students with disabilities. Seven students from Deltona High School participate in this initiative, gaining essential job and social skills. The Youth Opportunities Program, launched in 2024, has since served 300 youth across Central Florida. Transition teacher Brandi Sparrow emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of belonging for these students, who volunteer three days a week. Goodwill's partnerships extend to Orange, Seminole, and Lake counties, with Volusia County Schools collaborating with over 30 businesses. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

MSI funding redirected

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that funding previously allocated to minority-serving institutions will instead be redirected to the Strengthening Institutions Program, a federal grant initiative supporting low-resourced colleges serving large numbers of low-income students. The expanded fiscal year 2026 program will focus on workforce readiness, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and short-term educational programs. The move marks the second time the Trump administration has reallocated discretionary MSI funding, after previously redirecting funds to historically Black colleges and tribal colleges. The Education Department described minority-serving institution programs as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional,” citing objections to race-based enrollment criteria, while supporters of MSIs said they had anticipated the funding shift following earlier federal guidance that excluded several MSI categories from eligibility materials.

Education secretary weighs in on University of Florida

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has entered the politically charged University of Florida (UF) presidential search, sharing a critical letter from U.S. Senator Rick Scott. McMahon stressed the need for "bold leaders to reorient higher education toward merit, truth-seeking, and academic rigor," advocating for a president who will continue to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Her comments come as Stuart Bell, the sole finalist for the position, faces scrutiny for his past support of DEI at the University of Alabama. Despite this, Bell has received backing from Florida's Republican establishment, including Governor Ron DeSantis. McMahon's involvement highlights the ongoing national Republican campaign against DEI in higher education, as the search process has become increasingly politicized. If approved, Bell would become UF's 14th president.
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