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On August 1, Florida launched a month-long sales-tax holiday aimed at back-to-school shoppers, allowing exemptions on various items. This initiative, approved by lawmakers, enables shoppers to avoid sales taxes on clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less, school supplies at $50 or less, learning aids at $30 or less, and personal computers costing up to $1,500. Lorena Holley, general counsel of the Florida Retail Federation, said: “This is always a very popular holiday for retailers.” However, critics like Miles Trinidad from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy argue that such tax holidays primarily benefit wealthier families who can time their purchases. The back-to-school holiday is expected to save shoppers $217m annually and is part of a broader tax package that includes permanent sales-tax exemptions on various items.

 

Keys News

In the past five years, the number of Florida students being homeschooled has surged by 46%. Orange County Public Schools anticipates losing over 3,000 students this school year as families increasingly opt for homeschooling and charter schools. With more than 155,000 students enrolled in Florida's home education programs for the 2023–2024 school year, Orange County has one of the highest rates of homeschooling in the state, with 8% of families choosing this path. The shift is largely attributed to Florida's expanding school voucher program, which provides families with more educational choices.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

School districts in Central Florida are grappling with budget shortfalls, primarily due to the increasing participation in the Step Up program, which provides scholarships for families to explore alternative educational options. In 2019, around 140,000 scholarships were awarded, but this number surged to nearly 500,000 last year. Dr. Pamela Piorkowski, Headmaster of Altamonte Christian School, noted: “It has just given us more opportunity to make our school better.” However, public schools are feeling the impact, with over 33,000 students in Orange County receiving Step Up funds, leading to significant financial losses. Each student represents about $9,000 in funding, and a loss of 3,000 students could result in a $27m deficit for the district.

 

News 13

More than 300 new teachers are gearing up for their inaugural day at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. According to NBC6's Ari Odzer, this influx of educators marks a significant moment for the district as it prepares to welcome fresh talent into its classrooms. The addition of these teachers is expected to enhance the educational experience for students across the county.

 

NBC Miami

NBC Miami

Osceola County Schools is implementing significant changes to its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program this school year, including the introduction of hub classrooms. The changes aim to address the low performance of ESE students on alternate assessments, which currently stands at 46% proficiency. However, not all parents and advocates support the new model, expressing concerns that transferring students to different schools may increase stress. Xiroyma Disla, a parent of an ESE student, worries about the impact of these changes on her son, who faces a longer commute and a challenging transition. Special education advocate Daryl Greenwood also voiced concerns about the adequacy of support for students moving into general education classrooms.

 

News 13

As students in Lee County gear up for the new school year, safety remains paramount. The Lee County School District has implemented metal detectors, resulting in a 30% reduction in incidents since 2023. Law enforcement presence has also decreased, with the Lee County Sheriff's Office down by nearly 20%. Chad Oliver from Collier County Public Schools highlighted the necessity of layered security, stating, "There's not one way to keep an entire campus safe." Parents like Lacey Turner express gratitude for the enhanced safety measures, noting: "It does make it feel a lot better, knowing that our kids are safer day by day." Overall, the community feels more secure as schools prepare for the upcoming year.

 

WINK News

The City of Bradenton will continue its school zone speed camera program for the upcoming school year, despite the county's decision to end its similar initiative. Meredith Censullo, spokesperson for the Bradenton Police Department, commented: “Results from speed studies in Bradenton indicate that there is a positive impact in reducing the number of drivers who speed in school zones.” The cameras will monitor speeds throughout the school day at ten campuses, with ticketing resuming on August 11. While some residents criticize the cameras as a revenue-generating scheme, others support their role in enhancing safety for students.

 

Bradenton.com

Pasco County students will have access to nutritious meals during after-school activities in the 2025-2026 school year, with 65 schools approved for the Afterschool Meals Program. This federal initiative aims to provide reimbursements for healthy snacks and meals to children in low-income areas. Families are encouraged to contact their child's after-school program coordinator to confirm meal availability. The program is designed to ensure that students can enjoy nutritious food while participating in after-school activities, promoting better health and well-being.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

This summer, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expanded its National Advocacy Institute, hosting three weeklong sessions for high school students from across the U.S., including Puerto Rico and Guam. Andrew Domingue, the program director, noted a significant increase in participation, noting: “We had 120 students in the last year of Obama and the next year, the first year of Trump, we had 550 students.” The program focuses on civil rights issues, including immigration and transgender rights, and aims to equip students with advocacy skills. Participants like Ashley, a transgender student, expressed the importance of the program, saying, “This is rare and beautiful,” highlighting the supportive environment. The ACLU's efforts reflect a growing interest among youth in civil liberties amid political tensions.

 

Education Week News

In an effort to combat declining enrollment, the Martin County School District is enhancing its specialty programs to attract students from outside the county. Superintendent Michael Maine stated, “We are in constant competition to get additional students to join our school district.” The district has implemented a marketing campaign utilizing platforms like Spotify and social media, resulting in nearly 800 out-of-county students enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year, a 45% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, Indian River County's Superintendent Dr. David Moore emphasized the importance of providing more opportunities, noting a slight increase in out-of-county students this year. Both districts are focused on maintaining high educational standards and attracting new students to ensure financial stability.

 

WPTV

The Brevard Schools Foundation has received substantial funding from Disney Cruise Line to enhance educational resources for local students. This grant will support three key initiatives: The Supply Zone for Teachers, which provides essential classroom supplies; the Take Stock in Children program, which offers mentoring and scholarships for underserved students; and resources for Endeavour Elementary School to meet specific back-to-school needs. With over 57% of Brevard Public Schools students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, this funding aims to alleviate financial burdens on families. Janice Kershaw, President/CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation, stated, “Disney Cruise Line's support will make a direct difference in the lives of students and teachers throughout Brevard County.”

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

Rosenwald Elementary School in South Bay, Florida, has made a remarkable leap from a "C" to an "A" in the latest Florida School Grades report. Rev. Al Polk, pastor of Miracle by Faith Church, expressed pride in the community's efforts, adding: "We earned it." However, Nathan Hoffman, senior legislative director for the Foundation for Florida's Future, raised concerns about the grading system, noting: “Too many schools are getting 'A's' and 'B's' while we’re still leaving too many students behind.” In Palm Beach County, 46% of schools received "A" grades, but discrepancies exist between letter grades and actual student proficiency, as seen in schools like Dodgertown Elementary and Pahokee Elementary, where proficiency rates in language arts were below 60%. The scoring formula rewards schools for "learning gains," which may not accurately reflect student achievement.

 

WPTV

In Afghanistan, girls' education has been severely restricted since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. The Taliban's ban on female education has left nearly 1.5m girls without access to secondary schooling, as reported by UNESCO. While madrasas have proliferated, many girls, like Nargis, a 23-year-old woman, feel these institutions do not provide the education they need. Nargis has taken it upon herself to teach girls in secret, despite the risks involved, commenting: "Even if I lose everything, I will do this one thing." The situation highlights the dire consequences of the Taliban's policies on women's rights and education in Afghanistan. Until recently, USAID had been funding secret schools across the country, known as “community-based education,” as well as study abroad programs and online scholarships. However, several of these programs are now winding down, due to the cancellation of $1.7bn-worth of aid contracts.

 

CNN Edition