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A new report from the Government Accountability Office reveals that a student's race, gender, and disability status heavily influence their likelihood of being arrested. The report analyzed data from the 2015-16 and 2017-18 school years and found that students of color, particularly Black students, and students with disabilities face disproportionate disciplinary measures. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian/Alaska Native students are arrested at two to three times the rate of their white peers. The report also highlights the intersectionality of these factors, with Black girls without disabilities having higher arrest rates than white girls with disabilities. The presence of police in schools is associated with higher arrest rates, despite discouragement from education and justice departments. The report recommends collecting arrest and referral data by race and improving data collection practices. The U.S. Department of Education generally agrees with the recommendations. The findings emphasize the need to address the root causes of these disparities and reform police involvement in schools.

 

Education Week News

Pasco County School District is engaged in contract talks with its employee union. Jeff Larsen, a middle school teacher and the recently elected leader of the union, discusses his plans for the next two years. He acknowledges the challenges faced by unions in the state, including the state's crackdown on unions and the high turnover rate in education. Larsen emphasizes the importance of compensation increases and working conditions for employees. He also highlights the negotiated working conditions, such as a duty-free lunch for instructional employees. The union aims to increase its membership to 60% and urges employees to join. Larsen's message is focused on improving wages, working conditions, and benefits for Pasco County school district employees.  

 

Tampa Bay Times

Van Ayres, the head of the nation's seventh-largest school district, is preparing for his second year as superintendent of Hillsborough County Schools. As he welcomes over 200,000 students back to school, Ayres faces uncertainty over enrollment levels due to school choice and fallout from last year's boundary changes. The formula for awarding school grades is yet to be determined, and voters will decide on a property tax in November. Despite the challenges, there are bright spots, such as repurposing unused classrooms for preschool and increased passing rates on advanced placement exams. Ayres emphasizes the importance of attendance and aims to improve third-grade reading proficiency. He also addresses concerns about funding and the need for a tax referendum to compete with other large districts. Ayres discusses the district's achievements and goals, including new programs in various schools.

 

Tampa Bay Times

New leadership is on the horizon for Bay District Schools as seven schools will have new principals for the upcoming school year. Crystal Hudson will be the new principal of Margaret K Lewis School, while Chris Coan will take the helm at Jinks Middle School. Amber Hart will be the new principal of Merritt Brown Middle School, and Ronald Hensley will lead Mowat Middle School. Crystal Boyette will be the principal of Cedar Grove Elementary School, and Yesenia Llorens will take charge at Lucille Moore Elementary School. Josephine Davis will be the new principal of Parker Elementary School. The new principals bring a wealth of experience from their previous positions, including assistant principal, coordinator, and principal roles. The changes in leadership aim to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the schools.

 

News Herald

Challenger 7 Elementary School in Cocoa is set to introduce a new year-round school calendar starting on July 22, 2024. This move makes them the first school in Brevard County to adopt this schedule. According to Brevard County school board member Megan Wright, the decision to implement a year-round calendar aims to provide students with a continuous learning experience. The new calendar will offer shorter breaks throughout the year, allowing students to retain knowledge and avoid the traditional "summer slide." This change is expected to benefit both students and teachers by reducing learning loss and improving academic performance.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

Valdosta schools have implemented new protocols for late arrivals and early dismissals due to inclement weather. Bus drivers are now able to designate seats and issue infractions for misbehavior; repeated infractions will  result in suspension. The changes have been made to ensure that students are under control and to prevent the need for police intervention. Valdosta schools are taking a proactive approach to discipline and are committed to creating a safe and conducive learning environment.

 

Tallahassee News

With about a month until the start of the 2024-25 school year, Volusia County Schools is facing a shortage of staff with over 200 job openings. To address this, the district will be hosting two job fairs this month. The first job fair will be held at Spirit Elementary in Deltona, while the second one will take place at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach.

 

Daytona Beach News Journal

When it comes to free preschool programs, there is a lack of awareness and accessibility, according to this report. While 44 states offer some form of free preschool, many of these programs only serve a fraction of eligible children. Reasons for this include limited funding, lack of transportation, opposition from private providers, and a shortage of early education teachers. Despite the proven benefits of preschool, such as improved reading and math skills, states struggle to provide universal access due to the high cost. Participation rates vary widely from state to state, with some states having no state-funded preschool at all. Efforts to expand and improve public pre-K programs face challenges such as competition from private schools and staffing shortages. While progress is being made in some states, there is still work to be done to ensure that all children have access to quality preschool education. As Tanya Gillespie-Lambert, director of community and parent involvement in Camden, New Jersey, puts it, "People don't read. We found canvassing - not just flyers, but having a conversation with them - seems to work a lot better."

 

Bradenton.com

Orange County Public Schools is facing a shortage of bus drivers. Over the past decade, there has been a decline in the number of people entering the profession. The pandemic worsened the shortage as many drivers retired. To address this issue, the district is offering pay raises, bonus incentives, and a new bus fleet. The average age of the current workforce is 58, with many approaching retirement age. The district transports over 58,000 students during the school year and plans to utilize new technology on the buses, including tablets, 360-degree cameras, and RFID cards for students. Job fairs are being held to recruit and retain drivers, with signing bonuses and annual incentives offered. The district has also agreed to a 9% pay increase for all staff. Starting pay for bus drivers is $17.19 per hour, with additional increases for drivers with previous experience. Mechanics are also eligible for a signing bonus.

 

News 13

A civil rights organization is seeking compassion and leniency for a graduate student who was suspended from the University of Florida. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has called on the university president to reverse the suspension of Keely Gliwa, who was also denied her master's degree. Gliwa was arrested at a pro-Palestine rally, but the group argues that she remained at the scene to help another student who was suffering a panic attack. In other news, a Broward County School Board member has accused a fellow board member of violating ethics laws, a Palm Beach County resident is requesting warning labels on books with inappropriate content, and Florida leads in universal prekindergarten participation. Santa Rosa County schools are struggling with population growth, MAST Academy in Miami-Dade County is getting a new principal, and Brevard County schools are preparing to have armed school employees as security guardians. Florida A&M University president Larry Robinson has announced his resignation. A science teacher in Seminole County has been arrested on child molestation charges.

 

Tampa Bay Times

For most college hopefuls, issues with the FAFSA forced a practical approach to this year's complicated admission season. A recent study found that 76% of students said the financial aid amount awarded to them, and the overall financial aid process, were the top drivers in their choice of where to go to college. The botched FAFSA rollout in 2024 heightened the critical role of aid in college choices. As of June 28, only 46% of new high school graduates have completed the FAFSA, which serves as the gateway to all federal aid money, including loans, work studies, and grants. Financial aid concerns have led students to choose the best offer over the best school. The delays in financial aid award letters have impacted students' decision-making process. Experts predict that problems with the new FAFSA will weigh heavily on enrollment.

 

NBC Miami

American retailers are launching back-to-school promotions ahead of Amazon's Prime Day, aiming to capture the attention of parents and shoppers. Walmart, Target, and Shein are offering deals on sneakers, computers, kids' clothing, and backpacks to entice customers. The campaigns are starting earlier than in previous years, with Target launching a week-long event two days earlier than last year, and Walmart holding its largest deals event ever two days earlier. Shein is holding a seven-week back-to-school sale starting July 15th, while TikTok Shop is running a deals event until July 17th. Back-to-school spending reached a record high last year, and families are planning to spend the majority of their budgets in July. The promotions aim to grow market share and compete with Amazon's Prime Day, which has reshaped the retail industry since its launch a decade ago.

 

Reuters