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Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that the "schools of hope" initiative will focus on the most challenging areas in the state, rather than high-performing schools. "They are going to the toughest areas that we have," DeSantis said, emphasizing the limited geographical scope of these schools. Despite concerns from school districts about the potential impact on resources, DeSantis assured that the initiative would not be a fiscal burden. The program, which began in 2017, allows charter schools to operate near struggling schools, but recent applications have raised alarms about their locations. State Rep. Robin Bartleman expressed skepticism, stating that the applications indicate a trend towards stable, high-performing schools. DeSantis also highlighted the success of New York-based Success Academy, which has shown impressive proficiency rates.

 

Orlando Sentinel

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

 

Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a budget that exceeds the current year's budget by approximately $3bn, allocating a record $1.56bn for teacher salary increases, $14.3bn for infrastructure, and $1.4bn for Everglades projects. "Today I announced the ‘Floridians First' Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility," DeSantis said. The budget also includes $6m for expanding the school guardian program and $300m for property tax relief. Additionally, it aims to ban state funding for social justice initiatives and net zero policies. DeSantis emphasized the importance of teacher pay, stating: "The classroom, 90% of it is what teacher do you have standing in front of the classroom." The legislative session begins on January 13, 2026, with the General Appropriations Act being the only mandatory bill to pass.

 

Florida Phoenix

The School District of Lee County has initiated its "Unplugged" campaign, encouraging students to engage in traditional learning without screens. At Bayshore School, sixth-grade teacher Corey Doughty emphasized hands-on activities. Students enjoyed face-to-face interactions, with sixth grader Kaylee noting: "I like working with my group, because, like, if I don't know something, I can get help." Principal Ben Ausman observed improved student interactions and a decrease in conflicts, saying, "We've really seen better student interactions." This marks the second consecutive month of tech-free days in the district.

 

WINK News

The new Myrtle Grove Elementary School, a 77,000-sq-ft facility, combines modern technology with historical elements. Principal Nicole Everette emphasized the importance of honoring the school's legacy, stating: "The mural wall paints a picture of the school's history from inception until today." The school, which opened on November 20, is part of a $44m upgrade, with future phases planned to enhance facilities further. The new building features 27 classrooms, a STEM lab, and an outdoor classroom, while also preserving elements from the original school, such as repurposed wooden stage planks. The community is excited about the new facility, which is expected to serve as a focal point for the next 50 to 60 years.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The Volusia County School Board has approved a $1.8m contract for outside speech language therapy services, which has drawn criticism from district speech language pathologists (SLPs) who argue that their wages are not competitive. The contract allocates $900,000 annually to hire outside SLPs at rates significantly higher than what district employees earn, with SLPs making between $36.58 and $48 per hour. Joanne Strickland, an SLP at Freedom Elementary, said, "We keep hearing that recruiting and retaining SLPs is difficult, but when you look at the numbers, it's not difficult to understand why." The contract was passed with a 3-2 vote, despite concerns raised by board members about the implications of hiring outside therapists over district staff.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

In a recent incident, a Florida middle school was placed on lockdown after its AI weapons detection system mistakenly identified a student holding a clarinet as a rifle. This incident raises questions about the reliability of AI systems in educational settings.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Orange County Public Schools is contemplating the closure of seven schools due to a significant decline in student enrollment, which has dropped by over 8,300 students in the past three years. This year alone, the district reported 5,539 fewer students, a nearly 3% decrease. Teresa Jacobs, Orange County School Board Chair, said: "The decision to close a school is not something that any single one of us wants to do." The district has lost an estimated $41m in funding this year, prompting the need for tough decisions. To combat this decline, the district is collaborating with Caissa Public Strategy, a recruitment firm that has successfully brought back about 1,900 students. A school board work session is scheduled for December 16 to discuss the implications of declining enrollment and potential closures.

 

News 13

Fox 35 Orlando

The Leon County School Board has approved a plan to introduce Head Start classrooms in several elementary schools starting January 2026, aiming to enhance kindergarten readiness, particularly in underserved communities. "That kindergarten readiness issue will soon be an issue of the past because of the involvement and intentionality and purposeful investment we have made as a district," said School Board Member Darryl Jones. The initiative will generate over $11,000 in monthly rent for the district and utilize empty classroom space, while also preventing a potential Schools of Hope takeover that could allow private operators access to public school facilities. LCS Early Learning Director Brooke Brunner said the strategic partnership with Head Start will provide essential services and support for families, ensuring a smoother transition into kindergarten.

 

Tallahassee.com

China has launched new national guidelines aimed at transforming science education in primary and secondary schools by 2035, with a focus on fostering curiosity, hands-on learning, and real-world problem-solving. The Ministry of Education-led initiative calls for tiered, inquiry-driven teaching aligned with students' cognitive development, and promotes project-based learning, digital tracking of innovation, and collaboration with universities and tech firms. Schools are encouraged to integrate classroom and local resources, while teacher training and student evaluations will shift toward creativity and exploration over rote learning. "We often ask children during field visits, 'What is your favorite subject?' They used to say physical education. We hope in the future they will say science," commented Tian Zuyin, director of the ministry's department of basic education.

 

China Daily