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Florida
6th March 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida terror bill's reach extends to schools

A Florida bill allowing state leaders to designate domestic “terrorist” groups has advanced despite warnings that it could violate First Amendment rights and trigger legal challenges. The measure would let the state block voucher funds from private schools affiliated with designated groups and punish advocacy at colleges and universities. Critics say vague language, especially references to “sharia” law, could invite politically motivated enforcement. Sen. Tina Polsky called it a “dangerous, slippery slope,” while supporters said the bill relies on an existing definition of terrorism.

NATIONAL NEWS

Learning ecosystems gain momentum

A new National Commission on Learning Ecosystems, led by New America, will study how schools, employers, libraries, museums, universities, and nonprofits can work together to expand learning beyond classrooms. The effort will draw lessons from 12 existing ecosystems, including Pittsburgh’s Remake Learning network, which has supported projects like competency-based instruction, internships, and redesigned school spaces. Lisa Guernsey, senior director of birth-to-12th-grade education policy at New America, said the work is about “recognizing how many assets are already on the ground in neighborhoods and communities.”

State takeovers gain political edge

School district takeovers are rising again, especially in Republican-led states, with Texas emerging as a leading example. The story argues that while states still cite academic failure and financial distress, the rationale has become more openly political, often shifting control away from communities of color for limited academic gains. Fort Worth board member Roxanne Martinez warned that losing elected representation would silence local families, while researcher Domingo Morel said, “states don’t really care about having to justify this action” the way they once did.

CYBERSECURITY

Principals face cybersecurity burden

K-12 schools accounted for 74% of cyberattacks on educational institutions last year, making principals an increasingly important line of defense against phishing and other threats. Education Week outlines four practical strategies: remove direct staff emails from school websites, reward employees who report suspicious messages, promote a “pause, verify, report” habit, and involve students and families in safe device use. Michelle Bourgeois, chief technology officer for Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley district, said principals help protect “the time dedicated to teaching and learning” when they reinforce strong cybersecurity practices.

STATE NEWS

Unintended consequences of Florida's voucher bill

Rabbi David Kay, chair of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, argues that Florida’s HB 1471 would use the state’s school voucher system to target Muslim schools under the guise of combating terrorism. He says the bill undermines the religious neutrality that helped uphold voucher programs in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris and gives state officials broad authority to deny funding without public oversight or evidence. Kay warns that a measure aimed at Muslim schools could later be used against other faith communities, narrowing both parental choice and religious liberty.

FINANCE

DeSantis announces $9m job grants

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced over $9m in funding from Florida's Job Growth Grant Fund for two projects in Northeast Florida. Nassau County will receive $6.25m to develop a roadway network for an industrial site, expected to create 1,250 jobs. "That is something that is going to be big," DeSantis said. Additionally, $3m will go to the Bradford County School District for a new commercial driver's license (CDL) training facility, doubling student enrollment to 60 per year. Florida has awarded nearly $330m through the Job Growth Grant since 2019, highlighting the state's commitment to job creation.

WORKFORCE

Teacher recruitment delivers high returns

The 74 argues that the teacher shortage has become an educational and economic emergency, with 35% of public schools reporting vacancies and more than 411,000 positions either unfilled or staffed by underqualified personnel. It contends that federal cuts to educator preparation and support grants move policy in the wrong direction, despite strong evidence that teacher quality is the most important school-based factor in student learning. The author says teacher recruitment is among the most cost-effective reforms and writes that “every child deserves a qualified teacher.”

Board disputes ruling over teacher

The Brevard School Board is seeking to have an arbitrator's decision regarding the ousting of teacher Melissa Calhoun reevaluated, but the teachers union has declined. Calhoun was dismissed for using a student's chosen name without parental consent, leading to a complaint that she was "grooming" the student. Arbitrator Mark Lurie ruled that Calhoun had been wrongly disciplined, stating that the letter of reprimand issued to her violated the union's collective bargaining agreement. Despite this, Superintendent Mark Rendell has chosen not to rehire Calhoun, emphasizing the importance of parental rights.

DISTRICTS

VCS celebrates educational milestones

Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and her team have presented Volusia County Schools' strategic plan, emphasizing their commitment to "high levels of learning every day." The district has expanded Career and Technical Education programs by 70% and increased industry certifications from 70 to 126. Additionally, six middle schools will offer Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses for sixth and seventh graders by 2026-2027. The event also highlighted efforts to recruit and retain staff, with classroom vacancies decreasing from 149 to 47. The district aims to address chronic absenteeism, which remains a national issue.

Brevard schools and Space Force unite

Dr. Mark Rendell, superintendent of Brevard Public Schools, and U.S. Space Force Col. Brian Chatman, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance support for military-connected students. This agreement aims to ease school transitions for these students by streamlining enrollment processes and improving access to extracurricular activities. Chatman said: “Strengthening our partnership with Brevard County Public Schools is a cornerstone of our commitment to our service members and their families.”

Chaplain controversy at Florida school

The Sarasota County School District is facing scrutiny over its involvement with a chaplain for the North Port High School baseball team. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has accused the school of violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing a religious figure to engage with students. While Florida law permits volunteer chaplains, it remains unclear if they can participate in school sports. Craig Maniglia, a spokesperson for Sarasota County Schools, emphasized that any involvement with the Sarasota Fellowship of Christian Athletes is voluntary and that the district is committed to upholding the First Amendment.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Osceola County invests in agriculture education

Osceola County is making strides in agricultural education with the groundbreaking of a new Educational Agricultural Barn at Harmony Middle School. This facility aims to enhance animal science and agricultural education for students starting in sixth grade. The barn will provide students with hands-on experiences in livestock care and plant science, preparing them for future opportunities in agriculture.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Student expands book access

In Pine Hills,Helena Madsen, a sophomore at Lake Highland Preparatory School, is making a significant impact by providing books to students at Pine Hills Elementary School. Through her nonprofit, The Giving Shelf, Madsen raised $7,500 to fund books for approximately 650 students during the recent Scholastic Book Fair. “When I was older, I realized that not every kid gets that opportunity, and I wanted to change that,” Madsen said. The initiative is crucial for the community, where many families face financial challenges, as noted by Assistant Principal Stefanie Gray, who emphasized the importance of early access to books for students' learning. Madsen aims to raise $12,000 to allow students to take home multiple books and hopes to expand her efforts to support more schools in the future.

NUTRITION

Study links ultra-processed foods to behavioral issues in preschoolers

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that preschool children who consume more ultra-processed foods may be more likely to experience emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity. Researchers analyzing data from nearly 2,100 children in Canada found that every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods was associated with higher problem scores by age five. The findings indicate that replacing even small portions of ultra-processed foods with whole foods such as fruits and vegetables could support healthier emotional and behavioral development in early childhood.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Over 50 medical schools endorse Kennedy’s nutrition curriculum push

More than 50 medical schools in the United States have agreed to adopt a federal framework for nutrition education promoted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as part of the administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative. The voluntary guidelines recommend that medical students receive at least 40 hours of nutrition training and cover 71 competencies related to diet and health. The plan gained support from a mix of universities across the country, though several major institutions declined to participate. Critics have raised concerns about government influence over university curriculums and questioned some proposed topics, while supporters argue that expanding nutrition training could improve doctors’ ability to address diet-related health issues.

TSC unveils cutting-edge innovation hub

Tallahassee State College (TSC) has inaugurated a $4m Innovation Hub, primarily funded by a Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant. The facility, located in the college's Library Building, features advanced rooms for 3D printing, robotics, computer programming, and semiconductor productivity, aimed at preparing students for future workforce demands, especially in artificial intelligence (AI). The hub also includes an augmented reality and virtual reality room, enhancing immersive learning experiences. The hub is designed to serve both TSC students and local high school students through dual enrollment programs.

INTERNATIONAL

B.C. teachers back four-year deal with pay raises and added school support staff

Members of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, representing about 52,000 educators, have overwhelmingly approved a four-year collective agreement with the provincial government, with 91% voting in favor. The deal includes annual wage increases of 3% through 2029 and measures aimed at improving classroom support, such as adding counsellors, learning-assistance teachers, and special education staff. It also provides more preparation time for elementary teachers and allowances for psychologists, Indigenous language teachers, and those in rural schools. While union leaders welcomed the improvements, they noted the agreement does not reduce class sizes, a long-standing goal. The contract still requires final approval from school boards and, if confirmed, will run retroactively from July 2025 to June 2029.
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