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President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Education. The choice surprised many education experts, as McMahon was not on the initial shortlist. Trump praised her as a “fierce advocate for parents' rights,” emphasizing her commitment to school choice and local control over education. Critics, including Shaun Harper from USC, expressed concern over her lack of educational experience, saying, “America's schoolchildren and college students deserved an Education Secretary who brings deep education experience.” Supporters, however, believe her business acumen will benefit the education system. McMahon's past roles include leading the Small Business Administration and serving on the Connecticut Board of Education. In the near future, she could potentially be tasked with overseeing the Department of Education's demise or diminution, after the president-elect repeatedly called for abolishing the agency on the campaign trail. The Trump administration may also use the formal regulatory process to undo changes the Biden administration made to Title IX that sought to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students.

 

CNN

Los Angeles Times

Politico

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

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In a controversial legal move, Florida's government argues that the selection of public-school-library books constitutes "government speech," thus exempt from First Amendment protections. Attorney General Ashley Moody's office is defending this stance in response to a lawsuit filed by six major book publishers and several authors, who claim the state's book removal practices violate constitutional rights. The lawsuit challenges a 2023 law, HB 1069, which has led to numerous book removals without considering their educational value. The plaintiffs assert: "If the State of Florida dislikes an author's idea, it can offer a competing message. It cannot suppress the disfavored message." This case, presided over by U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza, could set a significant precedent affecting First Amendment law and access to public library resources.

 

Daily Commercial

News-Press.com

Ocala.com

News Herald

Tampa Bay Times

According to state data, Apalachee School improved its grade by nine points, now just one point below the C threshold. However, it remains a tier-two school, requiring additional support due to its poor performance for two consecutive years. Principal Pam Hightower faces potential ousting if the school does not achieve a C grade. Leon Superintendent Rocky Hanna highlighted a severe teacher shortage as a key issue, stating: "We are fully staffed this year, but last year it was not fully staffed." The district is mandated to start a teacher apprenticeship program to recruit qualified educators. Apalachee, with around 477 students, primarily from low-income households, is focusing on improving proficiency levels across all grades. Despite low reading scores, students showed improvement in math and fifth-grade science, with a 21% gain in math proficiency for fourth graders.

 

Tallahassee.com

During a recent ceremony at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Broward School Board members committed to prioritizing student achievement over political differences. Newly appointed District 1 Board member Maura Bulman and District 2 Board member Rebecca Thompson are leading this initiative. The board aims to create a more focused approach to education, emphasizing that "student achievement" will be their primary goal in the coming years.

 

Sun Sentinel

On November 19, Krista Goodrich and Donna Brosemer were sworn in as new members of the Volusia County School Board, marking the beginning of their first terms. Goodrich, a local businesswoman, replaces Anita Burnette, while Brosemer, a former lobbyist, takes over from Carl Persis after winning the recent runoff election. During the organizational meeting, Jessie Thompson was elected as the new chair, with former chair Jamie Haynes serving as vice chair. Superintendent Carmen Balgobin emphasized the importance of the chair's role: "The service of chair of the School Board — it is a special honor," and praised Haynes for her dedication to the students.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

In response to heightened safety concerns, parents in Seminole County are advocating for increased security measures, including metal detectors, to protect students. Although the Seminole County School Board has no plans to implement metal detectors, they have been collaborating with ZeroEyes since 2021 to enhance campus safety. ZeroEyes, founded by former Navy Seals after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, utilizes artificial intelligence to detect firearms through existing video cameras. Co-founder Sam Alaimo explained: “By the nature of what we are doing, I cannot tell you how many mass shootings we have stopped, because they didn’t happen.” Despite the technology's effectiveness, the school district has not disclosed how many threats have been averted, leaving parents like Army veteran Tom Krieger anxious about their children's safety. Krieger expressed, “You don’t want to get your kid to school, then worry about what’s going on.”

 

News 13

Chronic absenteeism among students is significantly affecting teacher morale, according to a recent study published in Education Researcher. Michael Gottfried, a co-author and associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “Absenteeism pulls teachers away from that core purpose.” The study analyzed data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, revealing that teachers with higher absenteeism reported lower job satisfaction and feelings of usefulness. With chronic absenteeism rising from 15% before 2020 to 28% in 2023, teachers are feeling the strain. Lindsey Paricio-Moreau, a science teacher, noted that absent students struggle to build relationships, leading to awkwardness upon their return. The ongoing challenges of absenteeism are contributing to a negative perception of the teaching profession, with a survey indicating an average teacher morale score of -13.

 

Education Week News

The city of Newberry has approved a $2.2m financial backstop for Newberry Community School Inc. as it seeks to convert Newberry Elementary School into a charter school. Derek Danne, chair of the school's board, emphasized the importance of supporting teachers, claiming: “We have worked hard to make sure we are taking better care of our teachers.” The funding will cover application costs and existing debts, with a repayment plan starting in January 2030. The charter conversion application is expected to be submitted to the Florida Charter Review Commission, with hopes for approval by February. However, the process faces challenges due to a recent amendment requiring a 50% approval from both teachers and parents for the conversion to proceed. Mayor Jordan Marlow expressed optimism about securing grants to alleviate the city's financial burden, saying: “Good governance means we plan for the worst, we hope for the best.”

 

The Gainesville Sun

The FUTURES Foundation's annual Principal for the Day program took place on November 13, allowing local business leaders to experience school leadership firsthand. Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey participated, shadowing Principal Shannon Hay at Ormond Beach Elementary School. He remarked: “You really get an appreciation of how many life lessons the teachers reinforce on a daily, even hourly basis.” This year, 70 schools were involved, with 68 businesses represented, highlighting the foundation's mission to connect the community with Volusia County public schools. Assistant Director Stephanie Parks emphasized the program's goal to provide business partners with a tangible understanding of the challenges principals face. The event culminated in a thank-you luncheon, showcasing the importance of community engagement in education.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

Florida is transforming its higher education system to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, emphasizes the importance of focusing on core competencies in science, math, and history while avoiding divisive ideologies. "We’re going back to basics, making sure students have a strong foundation," he said. The reforms aim to keep education affordable, with 77% of students graduating debt-free. Florida's system is ranked #1 in the nation for quality, ensuring graduates are prepared for future job markets in various fields. The commitment to innovation and student support is clear: "Education isn’t just about earning a diploma; it’s about opening doors to new opportunities."

 

Florida Politics