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The U.S. Department of Education has ordered the temporary return of up to 247 Office for Civil Rights (OCR) employees, placed on administrative leave in March, due to pending reduction-in-force (RIF) litigation, to resume work handling civil rights complaints from mid-December. “The Department remains committed to defending the RIF as the government-wide effort to reorient and right-size the federal workforce continues,” staff were told in an email on Friday. The agency said the move ensures those still on payroll contribute to enforcement efforts while awaiting a court decision on the legality of the RIFs. A judge’s recent ruling in a similar case at the State Department may influence the outcome.

 

FedScoop

Bloomberg

Get more 3s on the FAST ELA

According to the FLDOE, FAST ELA scores are hovering at 52% for level 3 proficiency for grades 3-5 in the 2024 and 2025 school years. 
More students reached level 3 proficiency on the FAST ELA in districts implementing HMH Into Reading Florida vs. other curricula across grades 3-5. 
Analyze prose and poetry for theme, comprehend main idea and text structure of informational texts, and build academic vocabulary to get more 3s on the FAST.  

Access free ELA resources to boost FAST scores, including SOR eBook

 

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrant parents. The case, Trump v. Barbara, will test whether the order violates the 14th Amendment and longstanding precedent, particularly Wong Kim Ark (1898). A federal judge in New Hampshire previously blocked the order, citing its potential “destabilizing effects” on citizenship. Education leaders warn the policy could depress school enrolment and funding, as families fear immigration enforcement, despite Plyler v. Doe guaranteeing education regardless of status. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argues that, while the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause “put it beyond doubt that all blacks, as well as whites, born or naturalized within the jurisdiction of the United States, are citizens of the United States,”  the clause does not “grant citizenship to the children of temporary visitors or illegal aliens.” 

 

CNBC

Education Week News

Politico

Washington Post

City Year Jacksonville recruits young adults to serve as Student Success Coaches in Duval County Public Schools, focusing on building connections with students. The program aims for each coach to spend at least 600 minutes with their assigned students throughout the year. "Every gift contributes to more possibilities for the young people in Jacksonville," said Allishia Bauman, senior vice president and executive director of City Year Jacksonville. The organization encourages community donations to support its mission, emphasizing that even small contributions can lead to significant impacts. As the year-end approaches, Bauman challenges individuals to invest in causes they care about, highlighting that all donations are tax-deductible and will help create a better future for the youth. 

 

The Florida Times-Union

UWF's progression to a national cybersecurity education leader mirrors Florida's commitment to fostering a resilient, AI-integrated workforce. Miami Dade College (MDC) supports this vision with its Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, established in 2018, offering validated associate and bachelor's degrees. MDC's programs, recognized by the NSA, feature a Cyber Range for practical training and facilitate federal grant eligibility for graduates. An articulation agreement with UWF allows seamless advancement to a Master's program. Successful alumni like Lousindy Mitton highlight the effectiveness of these initiatives. The programs showcase Florida's strategic investment in education, essential for securing national interests and advancing technological innovation.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The Broward and Palm Beach County school districts are rejecting charter schools' requests to share campus space. Out of 197 requests submitted for the 2027-28 school year, 196 were denied. The districts have stated that many schools, including Pine Grove Elementary, are not suitable for sharing with charter schools. "The Palm Beach County School District says it is not appropriate to share space with a charter school," highlighting the ongoing tension between traditional public schools and charter providers.

 

Sun Sentinel

Parents of children with disabilities are increasingly anxious about potential budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump, which could severely impact essential services. The proposed budget includes nearly $1tn in cuts to Medicaid, which funds vital services for disabled children, including therapy and medical care. Kristin Wright, the executive director of inclusive practices at the Sacramento County Office of Education, underscored the interdependence of these services, emphasizing that upending the basic foundational structure involves more than just a single cut. Advocates worry that these cuts could reverse decades of progress in disability rights and education, leaving families uncertain about their children's futures. Despite the looming cuts, federal laws still entitle students to necessary services, but the funding sources remain unclear.

 

Daily Breeze

Redlands Daily Facts

A new audit from the Florida Auditor General has raised concerns about the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarships system, revealing difficulties in tracking $270m in voucher funds. Jessica Popov, a mental health counselor, noted: "There was a major rush to put this voucher program in place without a lot of oversight and accountability." State Senator Don Gaetz is sponsoring Senate Bill 318 to address these tracking issues, emphasizing the need for better accountability in the state's education funding.

 

News 13

Miles Davis, Policy Director at PRISM Florida, is set to present a workshop titled "School Board Organizing 101" at the 2026 Creating Change Conference, a significant event for LGBTQ advocacy. His selection highlights his growing influence in Florida’s LGBTQ policy landscape, especially after successfully guiding the first-ever bill (HB 331) through the Legislature. This bill aims to restore local oversight over reproductive health and HIV/AIDS instruction, countering changes made under the controversial "Parental Rights in Education" law. Davis emphasized the importance of school boards, noting: "School boards are where the real battles over student safety, book access, and inclusive classrooms are happening." His workshop will equip LGBTQ youth, families, and advocates with the skills to engage effectively in local governance and advocate for their rights. The National LGBTQ Task Force, which organizes the conference, is one of the oldest advocacy organizations in the U.S.

 

Florida Politics

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has signalled he is likely to significantly reduce or eliminate the role of public school trustees, citing no justification for their involvement in delivering the Ministry of Education's C$43bn ($31.09m) budget. A final decision is expected early next year, following review of constitutional protections for Catholic and French-language boards, which he says will retain trustee roles. He has ruled out closing or merging school boards, unifying the Catholic and public systems, or introducing charter schools. Calandra also announced C$162m in funding for new high schools in Ottawa, along with an expansion to an elementary school.

 

CBC News

CTV News

Toronto Star