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The Florida Chamber Foundation has issued a report urging significant enhancements in math education to align with the state's job market needs. The report, titled Aligning Math Education to Workforce Needs: Insights From Florida’s Employers, reveals a gap between the math skills taught in K-12 schools and those demanded by employers. Dr. Keith Richard, vice president of research at the Florida Chamber Foundation, pointed out the significance of integrating real-world math applications into curricula. The report highlights that while 65% of Florida’s eighth graders are proficient in math, continuous improvement is essential. Bemetra Simmons, president & chief executive of the Tampa Bay Partnership, called the findings a "call to action," noting that every percentage point gained contributes to a stronger economy for Florida’s students. The report will be discussed further at the upcoming Learners to Earners Summit on June 24 in Tampa.

 

Florida Politics

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

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In recent months, K-12 educators have faced increasing pressure regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A notable incident occurred at Herriman High School in Utah, where a poster for Inclusion Week sparked backlash from a former state school board member, who criticized it as a defiance against anti-DEI sentiments. Principal Todd Quarnberg expressed frustration, commenting: “When did diversity and inclusion—when did these become nasty words?” The U.S. Department of Education has issued directives to eliminate what it deems “illegal DEI practices,” but has not clearly defined these terms, leading to confusion among educators. A survey revealed that about 5% of educators reported a complete halt in DEI programs since the Trump administration began, with larger districts more likely to report a decrease. As investigations into DEI practices unfold, concerns grow about the impact on educational equity efforts.

 

Education Week News

The Bay Building Industries Association (BBIA) has awarded $17,000 in scholarships to Bay County students during a luncheon at Captain Anderson's Event Center. U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis attended the event and expressed support for the students. Notable recipients include William Anderson, who will attend Clemson University, and several students heading to Haney Technical College. Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen expressed gratitude, stating: "We would like to thank BBIA for investing in our community and caring for our students." The scholarships aim to support the educational aspirations of local students and enhance community investment.

 

News Herald

Schools in Pinellas and Pasco Counties are set to welcome new principals, as announced by the districts. In Pinellas County, the school board approved the appointment of Etje Ramdohr, previously the assistant principal at Disston Academy, as the new principal of the school. Additionally, Holly Huey, the principal of Forest Lakes Elementary, will take over as principal of Belleair Elementary. In Pasco County, Jimmy Rodriguez has been named the new principal of Odessa Elementary School.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Matanzas High School celebrated its expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 13, featuring a performance by the Matanzas Blue Steel band. The project includes a new 1,560-sq-ft building construction workshop, four additional classrooms, and a new media center. Principal Kristin Bozeman expressed gratitude to the 1/2-cent citizens oversight committee and project manager Chuck Coates, stating: “Chuck knows every detail of this project. He was on site every day.” Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore highlighted that the expansion was a vision of the school's staff since its opening in 2005. Assistant Principal Sara Novak reflected on the transformation, saying, “After 20 years and seeing what the school looks like now, it's just crazy.”

 

Ormond Beach Observer

Orange County Public Schools is set to expand its full-day Voluntary Prekindergarten program to seven additional schools for the 2025-26 school year. The new locations include SunRidge and MetroWest elementary schools in West Orange and Southwest Orange, along with Brookshire, Camelot, Deerwood, Waterbridge elementary schools, and Kelly Park School. The program will be available as a Parent-Pay option at $150 per week, following the regular school day schedule. A minimum of 20 students must enroll, and parents can register directly at the school by the deadline of May 30.

 

Orange Observer News

Broward County Public Schools will discontinue the universal free lunch program for the upcoming school year due to depleted federal funds. Mary Mulder, the Food and Nutrition Services executive director, stated that the program was maintained to utilize surplus funds from the pandemic, costing about $9m annually. Starting next year, lunch prices will increase by $1, with meals priced at $3 for elementary, $3.35 for middle, and $3.50 for high schools. Parents can apply for free or reduced-price lunch beginning July 14. School board member Lori Alhadeff spoke about the significance of clear communication regarding the changes, while Rebecca Thompson advocated for exploring options to expand free lunch access, noting: "The economic situation of our state is not going to get any better."

 

The Miami Herald

A recent survey by Highland Electric Fleets reveals a strong connection between electric school buses and improved mental health for students, especially those with special needs. The April 2025 Echelon Insights Verified Voter Omnibus survey found that 67% of U.S. parents believe reducing stressors like diesel fumes can enhance their child's emotional and academic success. Notably, 70% of voters consider a calmer ride essential for mental health, with 81% of parents agreeing. Duncan McIntyre, founder and chief executive of Highland Electric Fleets, stated, "It's encouraging to see so many parents recognizing the benefits electric school buses bring to students." The survey highlights a growing awareness of how school transportation impacts student well-being, with many voters favoring electric buses over diesel for their quieter, smoother rides.

 

School Bus Fleet

The Broward School Board is advocating for a comprehensive sex education program that includes consent and contraception, despite state pressure to focus solely on abstinence. John Sullivan, the district's chief communication officer, indicated that time constraints prevent the implementation of the new curriculum before the school year ends on June 3. However, board members, including Lori Alhadeff, expressed urgency, claiming: "There has to be a curriculum that was approved." The district has faced challenges in the past, struggling to comply with state laws that restrict certain topics in sex education. Board member Sarah Leonardi highlighted the risks of not providing adequate education, saying: "If students aren't getting that instruction, this is a massive disservice to our students." The board is now seeking permission to use an already approved curriculum from another district to ensure students receive necessary education before the school year concludes.

 

Sun Sentinel

Civics education is increasingly contentious, with President Donald Trump advocating for "patriotic" education to counter perceived "radical indoctrination." Recent debates in Texas and Oklahoma over including Bible stories in social studies highlight the tensions. Despite these challenges, there is a push for enhanced civics instruction, with 44 states introducing related measures this legislative session, according to CivxNow. Wisconsin state Rep Amanda Nedweski said: “The more people are educated, the less frustrated they are with government.” However, the ideological divide complicates the implementation of civics education, raising questions about whether increased mandates can truly bridge partisan gaps. As Scott Warren from the SNF Agora Institute noted: “People, especially young people, don’t trust institutions.” The ongoing debate over knowledge versus skills in civics education further complicates the landscape, with bipartisan efforts emerging in some states.

 

Education Week News

Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiancé, Alireza Doroudi, faced a life-altering event when immigration officers arrested Doroudi at their home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Bajgani expressed, “I was living a normal life until that night. After that nothing is just normal.” The couple, both doctoral students, are part of a larger group of international students affected by President Donald Trump's immigration policies, with over 1,000 students having their visas revoked since late March. Doroudi, who entered the U.S. legally, is currently detained in Louisiana awaiting a deportation hearing. His lawyer, David Rozas, stated he was “flabbergasted” by the lack of evidence against Doroudi, who has no criminal record. The situation has instilled fear within the Iranian student community, with many feeling they must “lay low” to avoid drawing attention.

 

Los Angeles Times

Violence against educators in schools across Ontario is now so frequent that it has reached crisis levels, according to a new report by researchers at the University of Ontario. The report, titled Running on Fumes: Violence, Austerity, and Institutional Neglect in Ontario Schools, is based on a survey of 6,000 Ontario education sector workers regarding their experiences of workplace violence in the 2022-23 school year. Researchers found that 67% of respondents had experienced at least one act of student-initiated force, and 30% had experienced more than 20 different acts of force during the school year. As well, 63% of respondents reported a threat of physical force from a student, with 23 % reporting being threatened by students at least 20 times during the year. Underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, increasing student needs, lack of supports such as school psychologists and dwindling professional health services are all to blame for the increase, researchers say.

 

The Globe and Mail