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Florida has been named the top state for education by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year, primarily due to its performance in higher education rather than its K-12 schools. This ranking reflects the high graduation rates and low tuition fees at Florida's higher education institutions. Simultaneously, the state faces controversy over legislative changes affecting diversity programs and tenure protections on campuses. In terms of K-12 education, Florida ranks tenth nationally. It scores well in college readiness and preschool enrollment but falls behind in math and reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The recent educational reforms under Governor Ron DeSantis have been pivotal, with significant funding increases aimed at bolstering the state's educational standing. Florida's commitment to higher education is evident as it continues to hold the No. 1 spot for the eighth year in higher education rankings, distinguishing its universities as leaders in affordability and graduation outcomes.

 

Tampa Bay Times

During a heated U.S. House of Representatives hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona faced sharp questioning over several pressing issues, including the botched rollout of a simplified FAFSA form, increasing reports of antisemitism in schools, execution of student-debt relief, and changes to Title IX regulations. Cardona advocated for the Biden administration's 2025 budget proposal, emphasizing the need for increased funding for the Education Department’s civil rights office to handle a growing number of discrimination complaints more efficiently. Republicans criticized the recent Title IX updates, arguing they could harm girls' sports and privacy, while also expressing frustration over persistent technical problems with the FAFSA application process, which has deterred students from seeking federal aid. Despite these controversies, there was bipartisan support for enhancing career and technical education, highlighting a rare agreement on the importance of expanding vocational training opportunities. Cardona’s testimony underscored ongoing debates about educational priorities and the federal role in ensuring fair treatment and access to education amidst policy challenges.

 

Education Week News

As allegations of antisemitism intensify in educational settings, Politico looks at how House Republicans are extending their scrutiny beyond universities to include K-12 public schools. This shift comes in response to what they perceive as a growing trend of antisemitic rhetoric and incidents, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Key educational leaders from California, New York, and Maryland are scheduled to appear before a House Education and the Workforce subcommittee to discuss their schools' responses to these incidents. The focus on K-12 institutions aims to address the broader implications of student protests and allegations of harassment, which have not garnered the same level of media attention as those on college campuses. Rep. Aaron Bean, spearheading the initiative, highlighted the significant uptick in antisemitic activities in schools post the October 7 Hamas attack, labeling the trend as "extremely concerning and utterly unacceptable." The proactive stance by House Republicans reflects a growing desire to tap into public concerns about antisemitism, potentially transforming these hearings into a pivotal political issue. Critics, however, argue that the sessions may be more about capturing political gains rather than fostering meaningful dialogue or solutions. David Banks, Chancellor of the New York City school system, criticized the approach as potentially divisive, suggesting that it could detract from genuine efforts to resolve issues of hate and discrimination in schools.

 

Politico

The Tampa Bay Times looks at whether the Pinellas County School Board is likely to seek the renewal of a voter-approved property tax that supports pay for teachers, arts education and classroom technology, with the tax nearing a four-year expiration date. School district officials will need to formally add the tax to the November ballot in order to retain it, and administrators are reportedly considering an increase in the tax from $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed taxable value to $1 per $1,000, in order to provide more revenue for support staff. The school board has organized a workshop, taking place on Tuesday, to discuss the proposal.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Volusia County School District has reassigned 284 teachers after announcing it would no longer receive federal COVID-19-related funding. Of these teachers, 172 were placed by the district's human resources department, while the rest secured placements through fairs or within their current school. The district has not made any permanent changes regarding teacher displacements, but teachers can still apply for positions in their original field of interest. While no more teachers will be displaced this year, transfers can occur until two weeks before the next school year's start date. The district has not eliminated any programs due to teacher reassignments, but programs at specific schools have been downsized or eliminated based on student interest. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) will no longer be offered at all middle and high schools, starting next school year, and will only be available as an elective course at select schools.

 

Daytona Beach News Journal

The Alachua County School District is disputing the claim made by Education First for Newberry (EFN) and Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe that Newberry Elementary School has successfully converted to a public charter school. The district spokesperson, Jackie Johnson, stated that they have not received any official notification from the Florida Department of Education regarding the conversion vote. The confusion arose after the parent and teacher votes were counted, with Newberry Elementary School's conversion vote coming down to a single controversial vote. While EFN and its board member Joel Searby argue that the conversion only required 23 teacher votes, the district maintains that a majority of teachers and parents at each school must approve the measure for it to take effect. Florida Representative Chuck Clemons has requested state officials to intervene in the controversy.

 

The Gainesville Sun

The Broward County School Board is considering a proposal to strip A-rated Virginia Shuman Young Elementary of its magnet Montessori designation. The plan is to make nearby C-rated Bennett Elementary a magnet Montessori school and combine it with Sunrise Middle School. Parents of children attending VSY are upset, expressing their concerns at a town hall meeting. The proposal is part of the School Board's plan to close down or repurpose under-used schools. However, critics argue that the proposal is an attempt to force parents to send their kids to a less diversified school simply to improve its education rating. The Board faces backlash for limiting parental remarks and shutting down microphones during the meeting.

 

The Floridian

Hamilton County Elementary School has faced controversy after the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) raised concerns about a Christian club on campus. The foundation argued that the club violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Following an investigation, the district confirmed the existence of the club but disbanded it to avoid any perception of endorsement. While FFRF applauded the district's decision, the First Liberty Institute criticized it, arguing that banning religious clubs while permitting secular ones violates students' free speech rights.

 

TCPalm

After 18 years as a flight attendant, Crystal Kazy, a mother of two Brevard Public Schools students, is running for the District 4 seat on the school board. Kazy aims to address failures and weaknesses in leadership, improve school security, provide more mental health resources, support all BPS staff and implement better water purification systems near Patrick Space Force Base. She is the third candidate to file to run against incumbent board member Matt Susin, who filed to run for the District 4 seat again in June of 2023.

 

Florida Today

Madhu Thomas, a chemistry teacher at Haines City High School in Polk County, has been named the STEM Teacher of the Year by the Central Florida American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Thomas, who has been teaching since 1985, is known for her engaging teaching style and ability to make chemistry accessible to her students. Former students credit her with instilling a love for science and helping them succeed academically. Thomas was presented with a $1,500 award for her achievement.

 

Midfloridanewspapers

Midfloridanewspapers

Five schools in Central Florida have been impacted by either a threat or lockdown in recent days. Winter Springs High School was briefly placed on lockdown after a water gun sighting triggered a "code red" out of caution. Oak Ridge High School was evacuated due to a concerning email with a possible threat. Narcoossee Middle School was placed on a "yellow" lockdown as a precaution during law enforcement activity in the area. New Smyrna Beach High School and New Smyrna Beach Middle School were both placed on lockdown to investigate a reported threat. Police searched the high school for a possible gun but found no firearms. The lockdown at the middle school was lifted, but the high school remains on lockdown as law enforcement continues their search. No weapons have been found and no arrests have been made.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

Cornerstone Learning Community has partnered with NASA's Artemis Program to plant a historic "Moon Tree" on their campus. The sweet gum tree was carried aboard the Orion capsule as a seed and germinated by the US Forest Service. The Moon Tree symbolizes space exploration and environmental stewardship, aligning with CLC's focus on environmental and agricultural education. The tree was planted at CLC on Monday morning, continuing the school's tradition of ecological work. Cornerstone Learning Community is a PreK-8th grade not-for-profit private school located in Tallahassee, Florida.

 

Tallahassee News

Florida Politics shares some of the inspiring stories of students graduating from universities around Florida. Those featured include Mahalia White, who is graduating from the University of Florida with a master’s degree in communication management with a concentration in leadership after enduring six months of chemotherapy as she battled Stage 4 lymphoma, and marine veteran Rowe Elmore, who is graduating from the University of West Florida with a major in art after extensive cognitive, speech, and physical therapy to recover from a traumatic brain injury and leg injuries inflicted by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

 

Florida Politics