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Florida
2nd July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida districts celebrate strong grades

Florida’s latest A-to-F school grades showed broad academic gains, with 76% of public schools earning A or B grades, up from 71%, while D and F schools declined. Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County all retained A grades, with Broward and Palm Beach doing so for the third consecutive year and Miami-Dade continuing its strong record since 2018, outside the pandemic years. Broward had no D or F schools for a second straight year, while Miami-Dade and Palm Beach each reported isolated low-performing schools. Leon County earned a B, narrowly missing an A, but highlighted major improvements at Sealey Elementary and Fairview Middle. Jefferson and Franklin County Schools improved to B grades, while Wakulla, Liberty and Lafayette maintained A grades. Alachua County also retained a B, with 16 A-rated schools, though Rawlings Elementary fell to an F. Duval County kept its districtwide A, with 98% of traditional schools earning A, B or C grades. Escambia County earned its first A grade, helped by gains in math and major school-level improvements. Lake County secured another A rating, Sumter County maintained its A, and Palm Beach reported stronger reading, math, science and acceleration results. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said Florida’s results show that “high expectations, expanded school choice and strong accountability produce real results for students.”

NATIONAL NEWS

Education groups sue Trump administration over withheld federal funding

A coalition of education advocacy groups, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, has sued the Trump administration, alleging the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully withheld congressionally appropriated funding for the Institute of Education Sciences. The lawsuit argues the administration has prevented the agency from spending funds approved by Congress, placing $793m for education research programs at risk of expiring on September 30, alongside $50m for the Comprehensive Centers program and additional funding for the Education Innovation and Research program, which expires later in the year. Plaintiffs say the funding freeze could have a devastating impact on education research, teacher support, and programs serving students with learning disabilities and high-need communities, while the Education Department said it remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations and supporting high-quality research.

STATE NEWS

Florida students embrace school choice

Half of Florida students now utilize some form of school choice, marking a significant milestone as the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) program celebrates its 25th anniversary. Launched on July 1, 2001, the FTC program has grown remarkably, with over 540,000 students currently benefiting from various K-12 choice scholarships. John Kirtley, founder and Chair of Step Up For Students, said: “It has been an honor of a lifetime to work with thousands of dedicated people who helped Florida move to a new definition of public education.” The program has evolved to include an education savings account system, allowing families greater flexibility in how they use their funds for educational resources. With more than 150,000 students using FTC funds for diverse educational products and services, Florida continues to lead the nation in education choice.

FINANCE

Florida's new bill secures school funding

In public education, clarity in funding is crucial. Recently, Sarasota County faced a significant issue regarding the treatment of voter-approved school millage funds. The core question was whether these funds should directly support students and teachers or be diverted elsewhere. The passage of Florida House Bill 7031E has clarified how commissions related to school millage collections are handled, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used as intended. "When citizens approve a school millage... they do so with the expectation that those dollars will be used to support students and educators," said the authors of the article, including Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor. This legislation not only protects voter intent but also prevents potential legal disputes that could detract from educational resources. The collaborative effort of state Rep. James Buchanan and local leaders has been pivotal in addressing this issue, allowing the district to focus on supporting students and enhancing public education.

Sarasota schools win big in tax battle

Sarasota County Schools successfully reclaimed over $2m that was withheld by the county tax collector for collecting a voter-approved school tax. In contrast, Manatee County Schools has struggled with a similar issue since 2024, with nearly $3m withheld. Manatee County School Board Member Heather Felton expressed frustration, saying: “I'm still angry about the situation,” and emphasized the need for action. While Sarasota has aggressively pursued legal action and public support, Manatee has opted for a quieter approach, resulting in less recovery of funds. Manatee Schools Superintendent Laurie Breslin has requested the tax collector cease withholding funds and return the withheld amounts. A recent legislative fix proposed by State Rep. James Buchanan aims to clarify the payment responsibilities of tax collectors, but it does not mandate the return of already withheld funds.

GOVERNANCE

New principals take charge in Duval

Eighteen new principals have officially begun their roles in Duval County public schools, following approval from the Duval County School Board on June 2. The new leadership includes principals for 12 elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and the Duval Virtual Instruction Academy.

Dr. Gallon bids farewell to education

Dr. Steve Gallon III has announced his resignation as the District 1 representative on the Miami-Dade County School Board, preparing to take office as County Commissioner for District 1 in January 2027. With nearly 40 years in public education, Gallon has significantly impacted the district, sponsoring over 100 agenda items focused on educational reform and student achievement. He played a crucial role in passing the 2018 and 2022 school district referendums, generating over $2bn for teacher salaries and educational resources.

DISTRICTS

Philanthropist donates $2m to education

Ken Griffin, billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist, has pledged $2m to Breakthrough Miami, a nonprofit focused on peer-to-peer mentorship for students in South Florida. Griffin stated: “Breakthrough Miami has a profound impact on the lives of Miami students by teaching them the leadership and learning skills they need to pursue their dreams and aspirations.” This donation aims to expand the program, allowing an additional 600 high school students to serve as mentors and teachers. Breakthrough Miami currently supports around 1,800 students across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The organization emphasizes not only academic rigor but also building confidence and leadership skills among participants.

Track closures: a running joke?

Sierra Bush Rester, a special education teacher and policy commentator, emphasizes the urgent need for community involvement in protecting public school resources in Leon County. The recent closure of track facilities highlights the financial strain caused by Florida's voucher program, which has led to significant budget shortfalls. Rester stated: "If we do not become more actively involved in how public resources are managed, the loss of those resources will only continue." She urges community members to vote for a municipal tax to support public education and to hold the School Board accountable by attending meetings and advocating for teachers.  

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Rev up your skills this summer

This week, students at Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School are diving into automotive care basics, including oil changes and fluid checks. The summer camp, a first for the Pinellas County School District, aims to address the shortage of certified automotive technicians. The program offers students a chance to become certified technicians in just a year, equipping them with valuable skills for the future.

NUTRITION

Lawmakers propose reviving LFS program

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act, legislation that would restore the Local Foods for Schools (LFS) program to help schools purchase locally produced food for student meal programs. The bill would revive a federal initiative established during the Biden administration and discontinued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last year, providing schools with funding to expand fresh, locally sourced, and scratch-made meal options as they prepare for stricter school nutrition standards.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Bell's victory at UF

Stuart Bell has been confirmed as the president of the University of Florida (UF) after a politically charged selection process. The State University System's Board of Governors voted 15-1 in favor of Bell, marking a significant victory for Governor Ron DeSantis, who supported Bell amid criticism from conservative activists regarding his stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Bell, who previously led the University of Alabama, has committed to upholding Florida's higher education reforms, stating, "I will not bring woke back to Florida's flagship campus." His confirmation concludes a tumultuous search that highlighted ideological divisions within the state's Republican leadership. Board member Nick Sinatra emphasized the need to "turn the page" and support Bell in his new role, urging a focus on the future of UF.

DeSantis finalizes USFSM transfer deal

With the approval of the $117bn state budget by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the transfer of the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida is now complete. NCF President Richard Corcoran described the deal as a “game changer,” highlighting the campus's value at around $200m, which includes facilities like a $44m residence hall. While New College will take over the buildings, USF retains educational equipment and current students, faculty, and staff. USF President Moez Limayem emphasized the commitment to existing students, stating: “My priority has been, and always will be, our people.” The transition will allow current USFSM students to continue their studies, with housing guaranteed until August 15, 2027. More than 1,000 students will be affected by this change, and the teach-out process may extend for up to four years.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan to overhaul education rules for students with prolonged school absences

Japan's Ministry of Education plans to introduce a flexible "special curriculum" from the 2030 school year to support elementary and junior high school students who struggle to attend school, allowing them to revisit material from earlier grades, learn at their own pace, and be assessed using individualized academic goals. The program, which has received broad backing from a government advisory panel, is designed to improve motivation and self-esteem by enabling schools to evaluate students on both learning outcomes and engagement, rather than solely against the standard curriculum for their enrolled grade. The initiative comes as the number of students refusing to attend school continues to rise, although eligibility will be limited to students using approved support centers, while privately educated or homeschooled children will not qualify. Gifted elementary and junior high school students will also be eligible for the flexible curriculum, allowing them to take classes at high schools and universities.
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