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Florida
20th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Wealth fuels school-building boom

The Wall Street Journal looks at how an influx of wealthy families into South Florida is intensifying pressure on private school capacity and prompting billionaires to fund new campuses tailored to elite expectations. Jeff Greene built The Greene School in West Palm Beach after seeing too few openings for incoming families, creating a campus with flight simulators, 3-D printing, sailing, and tightly managed dismissal systems. Other high-profile figures, including Stephen Ross, Adam Neumann, and John Marshall, are also backing new schools despite steep costs, permitting delays, and neighborhood resistance. Greene said: “You can’t just write a check and magically have a great school.” The expansion push reflects a growing belief among affluent parents that strong private-school options are essential for relocation, especially for families focused on prestigious college admissions and specialized programming.

THE LATEST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

What’s Shaping Special Education in Florida Today

As guidance around special education continues to evolve, Florida leaders are navigating how best to support students with learning disabilities while staying aligned to current research and practice. To help leaders stay current, a curated collection of the latest special education insights and free resources brings together expert perspectives, research‑aligned guidance, and recent district evidence.

Notably, a Miami‑Dade County Public Schools study examining students with IEPs using Read 180 found significant gains in reading performance, including increases in Lexile® measures and FAST ELA scores. Together, these resources highlight current thinking on special education as intervention and instructional approaches used to support students with learning disabilities within broader systems of support.


 

TECHNOLOGY

New AI rules shake up education

The U.S. Department of Education has announced new artificial intelligence priorities for K-12 districts and colleges applying for grant programs, effective May 13. The new rule mandates that grant proposals must expand AI and computer science education, enhance teacher preparation, and provide professional development for educators to integrate AI into various subjects. Schools and colleges are encouraged to offer dual-enrollment credits for high school students in AI and utilize AI for early intervention and special education. Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, emphasized the need for a separate funding stream for AI to ensure sustainability and maintain support for other essential programs. Unlike California's recent guidance, the federal rule lacks a plan for evaluating student data privacy and equitable access in AI implementation.

Teaching AI-era media literacy

Schools are reworking media literacy lessons as AI reshapes social media, search, messaging, and online content creation. Educators say students often struggle to tell AI-generated material from human-created work, especially in elementary grades, while state policy and classroom practice race to keep up. Brian Baker of Media Literacy Now said it is “difficult for the media literacy, education world to keep up” with AI development. Teachers and researchers argue students need both practical AI skills and critical habits that help them question sources, recognize manipulation, and reflect on ethics. Classroom examples in Washington and Wyoming show schools pushing students to verify information, disclose AI use, and treat AI as a tool for stronger thinking rather than simple efficiency.

DISTRICTS

Florida districts face enrollment squeeze

School closures in Alachua County mirror a broader Florida pattern as districts confront falling birth rates, rising charter, private, and homeschool enrollment, and state policies that public school leaders say are accelerating enrollment losses. Alachua has already voted to close three elementary schools and may close a fourth, while Pinellas, Orange, and Broward described similar pressures in a statewide PTA meeting. Orange board member Angie Gallo said: “I don't believe that this is temporary,” arguing the changes reflect a longer-term push toward privatized education.

Brevard teachers finally get paid

Brevard Public Schools (BPS) and the Brevard Federation of Teachers (BFT) have reached a settlement addressing the compensation concerns for first-year teachers. This resolution comes after ongoing discussions regarding pay discrepancies.

Superheroes unite for reading fun

Students from Matanzas High School's AMIGOS Hispanic Cultural Club and ESOL program visited Rymfire Elementary School to read stories in English and Spanish to K-5 students. The initiative, led by Matanzas Spanish teacher Christina Gilliam, aimed to enhance bilingual skills and emotional intelligence. After reading about virtues like honesty and love, the elementary students participated in related activities and received superhero capes. “We are proud of the students at Matanzas who participated in this reading initiative,” Gilliam said, highlighting the project's success in fostering mentorship and literacy.

FINANCE

Lake County considers school tax hike

The Lake County Commission will hold a public hearing on April 28 regarding a proposed measure to renew and potentially increase a property tax levy for school security and mental health programs. Originally adopted after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Douglas High School tragedies, the current levy is set at 0.75 mills. The school district is seeking voter approval for an increase to 1 mill for four years starting in 2027. County commissioners, who voted 4-1 to advertise the hearing, emphasized that their action does not indicate support or opposition to the tax. "It will be up to the school district to explain and justify the higher millage request," they said. If approved, the levy question will be placed on the ballot for voter decision.

WORKFORCE

Celebrating teachers!

National Teacher Appreciation Week is set for May 4-8, 2026, a time to honor the dedication of teachers who often go above and beyond for their students. Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA, said: “Teachers are shining stars going beyond the call of duty every day.” Parents estimate that teachers spend an average of $382 annually on classroom supplies, while the national average is $482, according to the American College of Education. The week includes National Teachers' Day on May 5, which recognizes the lasting contributions teachers make to society. Ideas for appreciation include practical gifts, classroom support, and personalized gestures. The tradition began in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt advocated for National Teachers' Day, emphasizing the importance of teachers in communities.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Healing after tragedy: FSU's journey

Clarke Crockett, a graduate assistant at Florida State University (FSU), expressed concern for his students' well-being following last year's mass shooting. "I wish I could go back to a time when I was only worried about their well-being," he said. The university's counseling services reported a 21% increase in new students seeking help after the April 17 shooting, which left two dead and five injured. Carlos Gomez, FSU's dean of students, emphasized the importance of community support in the healing process, stating: "You saw healing almost immediately." However, the ongoing work of counselors reveals that healing is not linear. Symptoms of trauma manifest in various ways, including academic distress and emotional detachment. FSU offers multiple resources, including traditional counseling and peer support through the TalkCampus app, to help students navigate their healing journey. As the anniversary approaches, counselors remain vigilant about potential triggers for students.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

A violinist's journey

Lizbet Martinez, a third-grade teacher at Milam K8 Center in Hialeah, has a remarkable story that began 25 years ago when she fled Cuba on a crowded raft. "It was scary and exciting at the same time because we were leaving Cuba," Martinez said, recalling her perilous journey across the Florida Straits. Rescued by the Coast Guard, she refused to part with her violin and played "The Star-Spangled Banner" for her rescuers. This performance led to her playing for President Bill Clinton shortly after arriving in Guantanamo. "That little girl with that violin brought the light," she noted, reflecting on how her music changed perceptions of Cuban migration. Now, as a music teacher, she shares her experiences with her students, emphasizing the importance of appreciating their opportunities in America. "Don't take it for granted that you live in a country where that's possible," she advises.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Taxpayers face bad deal over campus

Nancy Parrish, former chair of The Ringling Museum of Art, critiques the proposal to merge the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus with New College of Florida, arguing it lacks financial justification. "If NCF cannot independently support USFSM's facilities, that alone is not a reason to proceed — it is a reason to pause," she said. USFSM serves about 2,000 students and operates on a solid financial foundation, while NCF struggles with high operational costs and low retention rates. The merger could exacerbate existing issues rather than solve them, raising concerns about accountability and the effective use of taxpayer funds. Florida's commitment to responsible fiscal management is at stake, as the proposal may lead to increased costs without improved educational outcomes.

ARTS & CULTURE

Fisher joins Florida Arts Council

Frances Fisher, a dedicated arts advocate from Palm Beach, has been appointed to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, marking the first representation for Palm Beach County in nearly two decades. "Art and culture in the Palm Beaches will build a stronger economy," Fisher said, emphasizing the importance of arts in driving tourism and community engagement. Her term began on February 20 and will last until the end of 2027, with the possibility of reappointment. Fisher's extensive background includes leadership roles in various cultural organizations, and her appointment is seen as a significant step for the county's arts community. Jennifer Sullivan, senior vice president of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, noted that having a representative on the council is crucial for influencing grant funding and supporting local arts initiatives. Fisher's first meeting is scheduled for June 18 in Tallahassee, where she will participate in discussions on grant allocations for Florida's arts organizations.
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