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The proposed statewide cellphone ban in schools, known as House Bill 949, is advancing in Tallahassee after passing unanimously in the state House. Sponsored by Representative Demi Busatta, the bill aims to reduce distractions and enhance safety on campuses. Busatta stated, "We’ve actually seen that this helps improve school safety, especially with the decrease in bullying." However, some parents have expressed concerns about the necessity of cellphones during emergencies, particularly following a recent shooting at Florida State University. While some support the bill, they argue that lawmakers should prioritize more pressing issues. The legislation would restrict phone use throughout the school day, with exceptions for students with disabilities. The bill is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.

 

WPTV

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
  
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
  
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
  
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

Hope Florida Foundation, linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis, is under investigation by the Florida House, raising questions about its financial practices. Gov. Ron DeSantis has dismissed the inquiry as a "hoax," despite some House Republicans expressing concerns over the legality of transactions involving the foundation. Erik Dellenback, the executive director, recently resigned, adding to the scrutiny. House Speaker Daniel Perez said: "It is very clear by what has been put out there that Hope Florida could have been run better," underscoring the need for transparency. The foundation's IRS Form 990 revealed it had $809,293 in cash at the end of the reporting period, with significant contributions from health care companies.

 

Orlando Weekly

The Trump administration has mandated that states must commit to ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 schools by April 24 to avoid losing federal funding. David Law, president of The School Superintendents Association, expressed confusion, stating, "The confusion is this has never happened before. We already don't allow discrimination." The Education Department's directive requires states to reaffirm compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based discrimination. However, the lack of clarity around what constitutes a violation has led to varied responses from states. Some, like New York, have pushed back against the federal demands, while others, such as Arizona, support the administration's stance. The situation has created anxiety among educators, with Law noting that "monthly changing guidance... can be a distraction and can be detrimental on school systems."

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Mike Rubin, principal of Uxbridge High School in Massachusetts, reflects on a past U.S. Department of Education civil rights investigation, commenting: “They allowed us to really look at our practices and procedures through a neutral lens of the law.” However, under President Donald Trump's renewed administration, the Education Department has launched over 80 investigations into schools and universities, focusing on compliance with his policies regarding transgender athletes and diversity initiatives. Maine is currently a focal point, facing potential funding cuts due to its policies on transgender athletes. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the administration's commitment to enforcing these policies, asserting: “We want to make sure that if you open women's sports or intimate facilities to males, you expose yourself to federal civil rights investigations.” This approach marks a significant shift from previous practices, with experts noting the rapid pace of enforcement actions.

 

Education Week News

A shooting at Florida State University (FSU) has left two people dead and six injured. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student and son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, opened fire near the Student Union during Thursday lunchtime. The incident prompted an immediate response from law enforcement, who secured the campus and confirmed the shooter was in custody.

 

Florida Today

Tallahassee.com

News 13

Fox 35 Orlando

Local10

Local10

Local10

Sun Sentinel

Tampa Bay Fl News

Tallahassee News

The Florida House has approved a bill (HB 1321) aimed at increasing transparency in the higher education system, despite strong opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The legislation, which passed with a 104-8 vote, seeks to repeal a 2022 law that exempted presidential search processes from public records and meetings laws. Bill sponsor Michelle Salzman emphasized the need for transparency, commenting: “This is about showing the voters what we're doing.” The bill would also eliminate the Board of Governors' role in confirming university presidential selections and impose term limits on board members. DeSantis has criticized the bill, arguing it undermines accountability in universities. The proposed changes come amid ongoing tensions between the House and the governor regarding higher education leadership.

 

The Miami Herald

A new legislative proposal that makes mass timber construction a focal point of the federal government’s future building plans is being advanced by a bipartisan coalition. The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and James Risch (R-ID), and co-sponsored by Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), would establish a locally sourced and recycled timber mandate for its preferred use in new federal designs, including schools and colleges. The bill creates a two-tier contracting preference, with the first applying to mass timber coming from state, federal, private, and Tribal forestlands, and the optional second applying to mass timber products sourced from restoration practices, fire mitigation projects, and underserved forest owners. Should it pass, the Act will mandate a preference in federal building contracts for mass timber products.

 

Archinect

Wood Central

In response to a growing adolescent sleep crisis, schools in Ohio and Minnesota are introducing sleep education into their health classes. The initiative aims to help teens improve their sleep habits, which are crucial for mental health and academic success. According to the CDC, nearly 80% of teens do not get the recommended 8–10 hours of sleep per night. Tony Davis, a health teacher at Mansfield Senior High School, has implemented a six-part course titled "Sleep to Be a Better You," which encourages students to track their sleep and mood. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford, highlighted the visible exhaustion in classrooms, saying: "Walk into any high school in America and you will see kids asleep." The program aims to combat high absenteeism rates and improve overall student well-being.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie-Cordero Stutz has announced the suspension of the school bus camera citation program due to significant errors in the uniform traffic citations (UTCs) issued by BusPatrol. "Many of the UTCs did not reference the correct UTC number and contained the wrong fee amount," Cordero-Stutz stated. The discrepancies included incorrect billing amounts, with UTCs supposed to be billed at $344 but instead sent out for $225. Juan Fernandez Barquin, the Miami-Dade clerk of court and comptroller, noted that individuals faced issues when trying to pay their tickets, as the citations could not be found in the system. The sheriff advised those with tickets dated before April 17 to comply and pay the fines, while those who have already paid may seek legal counsel regarding their rights.

 

Local10

The Miami Herald

NBC Miami

Encouraging students to engage in higher-level STEM courses requires strategic planning, particularly for those historically underrepresented in these fields. A recent study from Stanford University highlights the success of the AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course, which has significantly increased participation among female, Black, and Hispanic students. “What we're seeing here strikes me as a really notable success in education policy,” stated Thomas Dee, a professor at Stanford. The AP CSP course, introduced in the 2016-17 academic year, serves as an accessible introduction to computer science, contrasting with the more technical AP Computer Science A course. The study found that schools offering AP CSP saw a rise in diverse student participation, with an average of 16 additional computer science exams taken each year. This trend suggests that AP CSP could be a vital tool in promoting equity in STEM education.

 

Education Week News

The Marion County School Board has appointed Danielle Brewer as the interim superintendent. Brewer, who currently serves as the senior executive director of high schools and secondary curriculum, will have her contract voted on April 29, with a proposed salary between $125,897 and $169,333. The board aims to have a permanent superintendent in place by spring 2026, following the departure of current Superintendent Diane Gullett on July 11.

 

Ocala.com

The legal status of international students in the U.S. is facing unprecedented challenges, with over 1,024 students from 160 institutions reporting terminations since late March. Matthew Maiona, a Boston immigration attorney, noted: “It seems now like it's coming pretty fast and furious.” Many affected students, primarily from India and China, are bewildered by the sudden revocation of their visas, often without clear reasons. Lawsuits have emerged, with students claiming they were denied due process. Recent federal court rulings have temporarily restored the status of some students, highlighting the ongoing legal battles. Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA, an association of international educators, emphasized the fear among student. The situation remains fluid, with many students uncertain about their future in the U.S.

 

CNN Edition

Chicago Tribune

China will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) applications into teaching efforts, textbooks and the school curriculum as it moves to overhaul its education system. The Ministry of Education has published a paper outlining how promoting AI will help "cultivate the basic abilities of teachers and students," and shape the "core competitiveness of innovative talents." It follows China’s efforts to advance AI education in universities, including new AI courses and increased enrollment. The push gained attention after DeepSeek launched a competitive large-language model in January. That month China also unveiled its first national action plan to attain a "strong-education nation" by 2035, aiming to harness innovation efficiencies in reaching the goal.

 

Reuters

Tech in Asia