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Florida
30th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

DeSantis signs Florida's budget, fiscal restraint prevails

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed Florida's new state budget, which totals $117.6bn after $1.6bn in line-item vetoes. DeSantis emphasized that this budget marks the fourth consecutive year of reduced spending, stating: "The budget that I'll sign today... will represent the fourth straight year in Florida that we've actually reduced our state budget." The budget allocates funds for public schools, teacher salaries, healthcare, and environmental projects, with K-12 funding increasing from less than $22bn to about $30bn during his tenure. Additionally, over $9bn has been invested in Everglades restoration. The signing event at Hillsborough College highlighted local campus improvements linked to a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium district, with DeSantis noting: "No one's going to benefit more than Hillsborough College." However, the budget process faced political tensions, particularly regarding local projects tied to lawmakers' support.

STATE NEWS

Florida's reading crisis demands action

Following a national report that ranked Florida last in reading performance, United Way Miami is advocating for early childhood education as a solution. The Education Recovery Scorecard, led by Harvard and Stanford researchers, revealed that Florida students faced the steepest declines in reading achievement from 2022 to 2025, highlighting the need for improved literacy strategies. "Florida’s ranking is a wakeup call, but it is also a call to action," said Symeria Hudson, president and chief executive of United Way Miami. The organization supports nearly 9,000 children annually and has reached 80,000 families since 2007. A recent conference brought together over 200 educators to discuss enhancing classroom instruction and family engagement, emphasizing the critical link between early education and future success. United Way Miami aims to strengthen literacy outcomes and economic opportunities through sustained investment in educators and families.

EXAMS

South Florida students ace standardized tests

South Florida students have demonstrated significant improvements in standardized test scores this year, indicating that local districts may maintain their A grades. The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) revealed that 65% of Broward students in grades 3-10 achieved proficiency in English and language arts, up from 61% last year. Miami-Dade's proficiency increased from 60% to 65%, while Palm Beach County rose from 58% to 62%. Math proficiency also improved across the counties. Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn said: “These results highlight the incredible dedication of our teachers, school leaders, staff and families.” Gov. Ron DeSantis noted that for the first time, over 60% of Florida students are performing on or above grade level in both English language arts and mathematics, showcasing the effectiveness of education reforms like progress monitoring.

Volusia County Schools celebrate student success

Volusia County Schools (VCS) have reported significant progress in the 2026 state spring assessment results, as highlighted by Superintendent Carmen Balgobin, who said, "We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made." The Florida Department of Education released scores from the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) for reading and math, as well as science assessments and end-of-course exams. Notable achievements include a 61% proficiency in Grade 3 ELA, a 66% proficiency in Grade 4 Math, and a 96% achievement rate in middle school Geometry. The district also outperformed state averages in Grade 5 and Grade 8 Science, and Biology 1. VCS was recognized for having the highest year-over-year increases in various subjects among Central Florida Coalition districts. Official school and district grades from the Department of Education are expected later this summer, following VCS's designation as an "A" district last year.

Orange County schools show impressive gains

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has reported positive results in state testing, with achievement levels either increasing or remaining stable across all subjects and grade levels compared to last year. The district saw a three percentage point rise in mathematics and a four percentage point increase in English Language Arts, as per the 2025-2026 spring assessment results. Notably, OCPS students scored Level 3 or higher above the state average in several assessments, including the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.).

LEGAL

Cervera sues over defamation claims

Adam Cervera, a Broward County School Board member, is suing political consultant Michael Worley for defamation, claiming that Worley falsely accused him of using taxpayer dollars for a partisan advertisement. The lawsuit, filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, seeks unspecified damages and aims to remove the defamatory statements from the internet. Cervera stated: “I never used taxpayer dollars to pay for the advertisement,” emphasizing that he has always funded his ads personally. The controversy arose from an advertisement promoting a Broward Democratic Party gala, which featured Cervera's image alongside other School Board members. Worley, who is consulting for Cervera's political opponent, Jessie Bastos, defended his claims, asserting that Cervera's image appeared in a partisan publication funded by public money. Cervera is demanding a jury trial on all issues.

AI chatbot faces lawsuit over shooting

In April 2025, Alianna Grant was shot during a mass shooting at Florida State University, where she sustained serious injuries. Grant, who recently graduated with a media communications degree, has filed a negligence and product liability lawsuit against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, claiming that the AI chatbot ChatGPT "actively aided" the shooter, Phoenix Ikner, in planning the attack. The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT failed to flag Ikner as a risk despite his inquiries about school shootings and firearm use. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing, stating that ChatGPT provided factual responses based on publicly available information. Grant's attorneys argue that the company did not implement safeguards to prevent such violence.  

SAFETY & SECURITY

AI project survives governor's veto

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed several funding requests for school safety projects, including those for Franklin, Seminole, and Hernando counties. However, a $1m artificial intelligence initiative aimed at enhancing safety in Miami-Dade schools was approved. This project, developed by ZeroEyes, a company founded by former Navy SEALs, utilizes advanced video analytics to detect firearms in real-time. "Every detection is immediately reviewed by a person before any alerts are sent," said a company representative. Despite the approval for Miami-Dade, other local funding requests ranging from $15,000 to $3m were not successful. ZeroEyes emphasizes that its system does not use facial recognition technology and does not store biometric identifiers, ensuring privacy while enhancing school safety.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

M-DCPS makes schools heat safe

Every parent expects their child to return home safely from school, but less visible emergencies like sudden cardiac arrest pose significant risks. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has prioritized cardiac emergencies through a districtwide Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP), in partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and South Florida Project ADAM. This initiative aims to transform schools into Heart Safe Schools, ensuring preparedness for cardiac incidents. "Preparation saves lives," emphasizes the importance of immediate response, including CPR and access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). In less than two years, all M-DCPS schools achieved Heart Safe designation, demonstrating a commitment to equity in health safety.

PERFORMING ARTS

Disney magic comes to Tallahassee

Leon High School's annual summer musical features nearly 50 students from Leon County, showcasing Disney's "Frozen" in one of the first full-length productions of the musical in North Florida. Director Betsy Penn emphasized the importance of community, stating: "This benefits the students because... they get to come together to do something pretty special for our community." The production not only fosters artistic growth but also builds confidence and life skills among participants. All proceeds support future musicals and are part of the choir fundraiser. Four shows remain from July 2nd through 5th.

New director takes the stage

Flagler Schools has appointed Craig B. Uppercue as the new director of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, effective July 8. He succeeds Amelia Fulmer, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in education.

FURTHER EDUCATION

M-DCPS secures record funding boost

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has received a record $8.9m in funding for the 2026-27 program year, the largest allocation to date for the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) in Florida. This funding, which marks an increase of nearly $3m from the previous year, underscores M-DCPS's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for adult learners. The AEFLA program, part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), supports various initiatives, including high school equivalency preparation and English language acquisition.

HIGHER EDUCATION

DeSantis cuts millions from education budget

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed millions in funding for Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the 2026-27 state budget, which totals $117.6bn. The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering lost $2m, including $1m for "immunotherapy solutions for tumors in space environments." FSU's College of Nursing saw a $2.5m project vetoed, which aimed to create a state-of-the-art facility. DeSantis stated: "This budget protects taxpayers' interests," as nearly $1.6bn in programs were cut. Despite these vetoes, FAMU received over $9m for research and a new laboratory, while FSU secured over $80m for various projects. The vetoed items also affected financial aid, including $125,000 for the Wilhelmina Foundation Academic Scholarship, which supports students in need.

New federal rule ties college loan eligibility to graduate income

The Trump administration has finalized new federal student loan rules that will require colleges and universities to demonstrate that graduates earn more than comparable workers without those degrees in order to remain eligible for federal lending programs. Under the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule, undergraduate programs must show graduates earn more than the typical high school diploma holder, while graduate programs must exceed the earnings of the typical bachelor's degree holder. Programs that fail to meet the earnings benchmark in two of three consecutive years will lose access to the federal Direct Loan program beginning in 2027. Institutions with low-performing programs that continue to miss the threshold for three years could also lose eligibility for broader federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, for those programs. The new rule is the latest step in the Trump administration's broader campaign to increase scrutiny of higher education.

INTERNATIONAL

China expands AI education as part of long-term technology strategy

China has unveiled a five-year plan to integrate artificial intelligence education across every stage of its school system, reinforcing President Xi Jinping's strategy to strengthen the country's leadership in advanced technologies. Under the new blueprint, AI will become a core competency for students, with schools expected to improve AI literacy and equip learners with the skills to identify and solve problems using the technology. Regional governments have been instructed to implement the policy nationwide. The initiative forms part of Beijing's broader effort to develop domestic technology champions and reduce reliance on foreign technology amid tighter Western export controls. At the same time, policymakers are seeking to balance greater AI adoption with employment stability, particularly as youth unemployment remains elevated. 
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