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Florida
8th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

House Republicans advance education budget

Congress has begun negotiations on the federal fiscal 2027 budget, with House Republicans advancing a spending proposal that would significantly reduce federal education funding. On Friday the House appropriations subcommittee responsible for education approved the bill in an 11-7 party-line vote, proposing a $1.6bn cut to Title I grants that support low-income students, while also eliminating billions of dollars in formula and competitive grants for K-12 schools and colleges and reducing funding for education research. Republican lawmakers described the proposal as a fiscally responsible effort to prioritize spending, while Democrats argued it would undermine public education. During the committee debate, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) proposed restoring funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program and Preschool Development Grants, which currently receive $150m and $315m, respectively. Both programs would lose all federal funding under the House Republican proposal and President Donald Trump’s budget request. Hoyer ultimately did not seek votes on the amendments, criticizing the increasingly partisan nature of budget negotiations. 

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

 

STATE NEWS

Teachers unions face tough election

Teachers unions in Florida, including the United Teachers of Dade, are facing a critical election this summer. Under a new law, they must secure a minimum of 50% mail-in ballot responses from eligible employees to avoid decertification. Antonio White, President of United Teachers of Dade, described the election as an attempt to "dismantle public sector unions" in Florida, emphasizing that "they're counting on people not returning them." The union needs at least 11,540 ballots returned from its bargaining unit of 23,079 to meet the requirement. The law, Senate Bill 1296, adds to previous legislation that has already imposed strict regulations on public sector unions. Despite the challenges, White remains optimistic, saying: "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

ECG screenings deadline approaching

As the July 1 deadline approaches for Florida's Second Chance Act, first-time high school student-athletes must complete an ECG screening to participate in sports. Jessica Landingham, heart screening director for Who We Play For, emphasized the importance of these screenings, remarking: "For about 80% of sudden cardiac arrest victims, their very first symptom was sudden cardiac arrest." The screenings, which are noninvasive and take about five minutes, are crucial for detecting irregular heartbeats. Landingham noted that Escambia County's turnout has been lower than other districts, with only a few hundred students screened. The ECG screenings are available for $20, with financial assistance offered to those in need. The initiative aims to prevent tragic incidents like the death of Chance Gainer, an 18-year-old football player who died from sudden cardiac arrest in 2024.

FINANCE

Santa Rosa schools face budget crisis

Santa Rosa County schools are grappling with a $4.32m budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year, prompting the School Board to consider eliminating 45 positions across various roles. Superintendent Karen Barber emphasized that the cuts would not necessarily lead to job losses, claiming: "This doesn't mean 45 people lose their jobs." The district aims to reduce expenditures by $3m, with additional cuts from contracts totaling $800,000. The projected revenue for the year is $282.1m against expenditures of $297.4m, resulting in a significant deficit. The Financial Condition Ratio (FCR) is expected to drop from 5% to 2.98%, which could trigger state intervention if it falls below 3%.

DISTRICTS

School merger sparks mixed reactions

Lake County Schools is considering a merger between Carver Middle School and Oak Park Middle School, aiming to enhance educational opportunities for students. Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth explained: "Students were going to combine... to bring additional resources and opportunities to our middle school students." Parents have expressed both excitement and concerns, particularly regarding class sizes and safety. Parent Naquavia Snow emphasized the need for effective leadership to prevent bullying, remarking: "My biggest concern is to make sure we have the leadership, so we won’t have the bullying going on." The district is committed to ensuring safety and support, with plans to increase staff if the merger is approved. A decision will be made at the School Board meeting today, with renovations planned for the summer if the merger goes ahead.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New ASTM standard aims to improve school security

A new industry standard, ASTM F3561, has been introduced to help architects and school designers evaluate the ability of window, door, and glazing systems to resist forced entry following a simulated active shooter attack. Unlike traditional standards that focus primarily on glass strength or ballistic resistance, ASTM F3561 assesses the performance of the entire fenestration system, including glazing, framing, anchoring, and hardware, after exposure to gunfire. The standard uses a three-step testing process involving manual manipulation, AR-15 rifle fire, and repeated impacts from a 100-pound pendulum to determine how effectively a damaged system can delay unauthorized entry. Advocates of the standard say its primary benefit is providing additional time for occupants to reach safety and for law enforcement to respond during an emergency.  

HEALTH & SAFETY

E-bike safety: a teen's crash lesson

In Bunnell law enforcement is emphasizing e-bike safety after a 15-year-old collided with a deputy's patrol vehicle. The incident, captured on video, occurred when the teen ran a stop sign while traveling at approximately 19 mph. Fortunately, the teen was not seriously injured, but the Flagler County Sheriff's Office warned that "it could have ended very differently." To promote safety, authorities recommend that e-bike riders carry a photo ID, wear helmets if under 16, obey traffic rules, use lights at night, and maintain their e-bike's class label. These measures aim to prevent accidents and ensure safer riding experiences.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida's education rules spark outrage

Florida is proposing new education rules that require students to prove U.S. citizenship or legal presence before enrolling in Adult General Education programs or public colleges. Critics argue these changes will turn educational institutions into immigration enforcement entities. Norín Dollard, a senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, argued: "What it's doing is really just turning these colleges and these general ed programs into something they're not, which is immigration enforcement entities." The proposals follow the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students, potentially blocking access to education for many. Maria Gabriela Pacheco, president of TheDream.US, emphasized that the rules could prevent undocumented students from entering classrooms altogether, claiming: "They want to shut people out from higher education." Concerns have also been raised about the lack of uniform guidelines for verifying immigration status across institutions.

FAU launches cutting-edge AI lab

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is set to launch the "Michael R. Levine AI-Enabled Hands-On Engineering Lab" with a $1m donation from the Levine Family Foundation. This initiative aims to provide students with experiential learning opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) and prepare them for future careers. FAU President Adam Hasner pointed out that the lab will help students "succeed in a rapidly changing world" by focusing on practical AI applications. The lab will also collaborate with the Florida-Israel Institute to enhance global perspectives and research opportunities. Michael Levine, president of the Levine Family Foundation, stated that the lab will position students "at the forefront of AI technology innovation." Dean Stella Batalama described the donation as "an investment in student learning, mentoring and career readiness."

INTERNATIONAL

Ottawa to expand AI and digital skills training in schools

The Canadian government has unveiled a new national AI strategy that includes plans to build AI literacy among students from kindergarten through Grade 12, supported by a C$30m ($21.53m) investment in the CanCode program. The initiative will fund free training in coding, AI, and emerging technologies for students and educators, with a focus on underrepresented groups, while also expanding AI training for more than 3,000 teachers. Although the strategy provides few details on how AI education would be delivered in early grades, federal officials said the goal is to help Canadians understand issues such as bias, misinformation, privacy risks, and responsible AI use. Education experts said the proposal is better viewed as a call for AI awareness and digital literacy than as a plan to introduce AI tools directly into kindergarten classrooms. 
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