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Florida
24th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida's education system flunks report

Florida has received an F grade, scoring only 14 out of 100 points in a recent report by the Network for Public Education, which evaluates states on their commitment to public schools. The report states: "The grades in this report are not merely academic assessments influenced by demographics or changing test standards." It highlights that states redirecting funds to private schools often neglect public education. Critics argue that Florida's policies disenfranchise public schools, while proponents claim they enhance educational choice. The Florida Education Association, led by President Andrew Spar, has filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Education, citing a lack of action on critical issues like teacher shortages and funding inequities. Despite a $115bn state budget, advocates believe the funding increase is insufficient to meet rising costs. Florida's education system continues to rank poorly in national assessments, raising concerns about its future.

NATIONAL NEWS

Districts expand immigration supports

School districts across the United States are expanding family support services and revising safety protocols in response to heightened immigration enforcement activity and growing concerns among immigrant communities. Educators report increased demand for food assistance, transportation support, legal information, and emergency planning, as some families have avoided public spaces or kept children home from school out of fear of encounters with immigration authorities. Districts including St. Paul, Minnesota, and Montgomery County, Maryland, have partnered with community organizations, trained staff on responding to immigration-related incidents, and developed contingency plans for families facing detention or deportation proceedings, while school leaders warn that responding to these challenges is diverting time and resources away from teaching and learning.

STATE NEWS

Jolly secures key endorsements for governor

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly has received endorsements from the Florida AFL-CIO and the Florida Education Association, as he aims for the governor's office. "Florida's workers keep our state moving. I'm proud to have the support of the Florida AFL-CIO and the working families they represent across our state," Jolly said. The Florida AFL-CIO, representing over 500 unions and 1m members, advocates for better wages and working conditions. Jolly also expressed gratitude to the Florida Education Association, stating: "Florida's teachers and education professionals dedicate their lives to our children and the future of our state." The FEA, with over 150,000 members, is the largest labor federation for educators in the state.

Private schools surge as public schools decline

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a significant shift in the education sector in Florida, with private schools adding approximately 1,400 jobs over the past year, while public schools lost nearly 5,800 jobs. Sara Rubinstein, head of Carrollwood Day School, noted: “We have been on a growth trajectory since we opened, but it has accelerated over the past five years.” In contrast, Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, attributed the decline in public school employment to state policies that favor private institutions, stating: “Florida has really become the leader in the nation in terms of creating a marketplace for choice.” This trend highlights the growing divide in educational employment across the state.

CURRICULUM

Schools rethink math pathways

A growing number of school districts and states are replacing the traditional sequence of Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II with integrated math, which blends concepts from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry across multiple years. Supporters argue the approach helps students retain key concepts, creates greater flexibility for advanced courses such as data science and statistics, and better aligns with modern workforce and college demands. States including Maryland are adopting integrated math as part of broader efforts to expand postsecondary pathways beyond calculus, while educators in districts such as Chapman, Kansas, report improved student performance. Critics, however, warn that the model may leave some students less prepared for calculus-intensive STEM fields and can create challenges for students transferring between schools with different math sequences.

POLICY

Broward School Board debates AI rollout

The Broward School Board is reviewing the implications of the newly acquired MagicSchool AI program for students and teachers, but has not halted its rollout. During a recent meeting, board member Adam Cervera requested a pause until Superintendent Howard Hepburn's staff provides a report addressing concerns about student privacy, costs, and the program's impact on learning and mental health. While the board agreed to seek more information, most members felt a pause was unnecessary since schools are closed for summer. Hepburn plans to present a report in July, with hopes to launch the program in the fall. In an op-ed for the Sun Sentinel, Sarah Leonardi, a Broward County School Board member, warns that schools risk repeating the mistakes of social media as AI enters classrooms. She argues that social platforms prioritized engagement over wellbeing, contributing to isolation, polarization, anxiety, and youth mental health concerns. Leonardi says schools should protect reading, writing, listening, deep thinking, empathy, and the humanities while introducing AI gradually through trained educators.

DISTRICTS

Miami-Dade schools face summer closures

Nine schools in Miami-Dade will permanently close this summer following a unanimous decision by the district's school board. Initially, four schools were slated for closure, but five additional schools were added to the list due to declining attendance, with some schools seeing enrollment drop by over 50% in the past decade. Lisette Fernandez, co-founder of Moms For Libros, expressed concern about the impact of these closures on impoverished communities, stating: “The state has underfunded public schools to the point where this district is closing the schools that serve children who have the least.” The closures are part of a broader trend linked to declining enrollment in traditional public schools, attributed to factors such as fewer immigrants and families relocating for affordability. Superintendent Jose Dotres emphasized that educational quality and resources were key factors in the decision to consolidate schools.

GOVERNANCE

Candidates clash over school choice

During a candidate forum yesterday, incumbent Marcus Nicolas and challenger James Reilly presented their differing views on key issues affecting the Leon County School Board. The candidates disagreed on school choice, with Reilly advocating for it as "healthy competition," while Nicolas argued that it creates an uneven playing field. They also clashed over a proposed property tax, with Reilly opposing it due to spending concerns and Nicolas supporting it for potential teacher pay increases. Nicolas, who has served 18 years in various roles within the district, emphasized the importance of maintaining public school funding, stating: "We have a lot to lose if the half penny sales tax is not renewed."

FINANCE

Orange County faces funding pressure

Stephanie Vanos, a member of the Orange County School Board, highlighted that nearly half of the district's funding is sourced from local property taxes, with the remainder coming from state sales tax. The one mill property tax, up for renewal this November, currently contributes 11% to the district's budget. However, Vanos noted that the district is receiving about $1,300 less per student than necessary, stating: "We’re getting less funding to really provide the same services that our students need." With an anticipated decline of 3,000 students next year, the district could face a loss of $27m in state funding. To address budget constraints, the School Board has already cut 2% of non-teaching positions this year and 3% last year, with Vanos emphasizing the importance of protecting classroom teachers.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Smaller school buses rolling in 2026

The Palm Beach County School District is set to introduce 15 new, smaller 14-passenger school buses for the 2026-27 school year, addressing challenges such as driver shortages and budget constraints. The new buses, which cost $133,000 for those with wheelchair lifts and $121,000 for others, are part of a strategy to adapt to new immigration rules and declining enrollment. "I do think it's going to save us money," said Karen Brill, Chair of the Palm Beach County School Board. The district aims to utilize these buses for 75 routes this school year, while also benefiting from new state regulations allowing drivers with standard Class E licenses to operate them. The initiative follows a previous purchase of 20 electric buses, highlighting the district's commitment to modernizing its fleet.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario unveils new grading rules

Ontario will introduce mandatory grading standards and a new province-wide digital learning platform this fall, as the government seeks to increase consistency across schools and give teachers greater control over classroom assessment. Secondary school students will see attendance, participation, and final evaluations formally incorporated into their final grades, while written exams will become mandatory in subjects including English, math, and science. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will receive 15% of their final mark from attendance and participation, compared with 10% for Grades 11 and 12. The province is also investing C$60 million ($42.3m) in Edwin, a digital learning platform developed by Nelson Education, which will be made available to all school boards beginning in September. The platform is designed to help teachers monitor student progress, identify learning gaps, and personalize assignments, although its use will not be mandatory during the upcoming school year.
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