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Florida Politics looks at how the state’s school choice reform, championed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, has set a precedent for education reform nationwide, offering parents broader access to alternative schooling options with financial support. Advocates, including the James Madison Institute, view these policies as a blueprint for national adoption. Congressman Byron Donalds, a proponent of universal school choice, emphasized the need for equitable access to quality education, particularly for families unable to afford private schools. His stance aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s education agenda, which prioritizes replicating Florida’s model across the U.S. Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, has pledged to expand school choice nationwide. Conservative think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute predict a significant federal school choice bill under Trump’s administration. As a pioneer in school choice, Florida is being hailed as a beacon of hope for families seeking alternatives to public education, with its reforms serving as a potential framework for federal education policy.

 

Florida Politics

Efforts to reduce childhood poverty in Florida have achieved significant milestones, with the poverty rate dropping to 16.9%—a 6.4-point decrease since 2016—lifting 218,852 children out of poverty. However, 714,768 children still face challenges like hunger, educational barriers, and limited economic opportunities, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation. Half of Florida's children in poverty are concentrated in just 15% of ZIP codes, including Tallahassee’s 32304, where 43.4% of children live in poverty. The Florida Chamber Foundation and local businesses, such as The Moore Agency, have implemented targeted initiatives, including providing meals, school resources, and enrichment activities. Mark Wilson, CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of tackling poverty as a moral and economic imperative, urging businesses and communities to unite in these efforts. The Florida Prosperity Project aims to cut childhood poverty in half by 2030, underscoring the shared responsibility of ensuring all children have the opportunity to thrive as future leaders and contributors to Florida's economy.

 

Tallahassee.com

Florida Politics

Florida is investing $15.6m in a contract with Trinity Education Group to create a cloud-based platform for parents and school staff to access K-12 instructional materials and library media resources. The initiative, supported by the Florida Department of Education, aims to enhance transparency and compliance with state laws. However, critics, including Public School Defenders, argue the funds could address more pressing needs, such as classroom resources, teacher pay, and mental health services. In response, the Florida DOE emphasized the database's role in promoting parental rights and compliance with state statutes, with plans to launch the platform in early 2025. As of December 9, $3.2m of the contracted funds have been disbursed.

 

News4Jax

Florida's education landscape is evolving as House Speaker Daniel Perez announces the new committee structure for the upcoming legislative session. The revamped committees include fresh faces alongside seasoned members like Rep. Susan Valdés and Rep. Alex Rizo. Notably, the subcommittees on Choice and Innovation have been replaced with those focusing on Education Administration and Student Academic Success.

 

Tampa Bay Times

During a public listening session hosted by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, speakers highlighted the severe impact of the special education teacher shortage on students with disabilities and schools. Aaron Parsons of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers described the crisis as nearing a "tipping point," with administrators often stepping in to provide direct services. He urged prioritizing competitive salaries and better training to recruit and retain special educators. Parent Mike Beebe shared his son's struggles with delayed services due to staffing shortages, emphasizing that such waits are a painful and unnecessary norm for the 7.5 million children with disabilities in the U.S. The session, part of ongoing efforts to address the issue, followed a November briefing with recommendations, including higher pay, streamlined processes, and enhanced teacher pipelines. A report with further findings and solutions is expected in late 2025. 

 

K-12 Dive

School shootings in the U.S. have more than doubled since students returned to classrooms after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 144 incidents reported in 2024 as of December 18, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. This continues a troubling trend, as annual shootings have consistently exceeded 100 since 2021, compared to fewer than 50 per year pre-pandemic. Experts attribute the surge to factors including widespread gun accessibility and societal stressors. Behavioral threat assessments and anonymous reporting systems are highlighted as early prevention tools, alongside addressing mental health concerns and fostering a cultural shift away from violence. “There needs to be a focus on detecting early signs and connecting students with mental health resources before a violent act occurs,” said Marc Zimmerman of the University of Michigan. Experts also call for federal policies to curb gun access and promote conflict mediation. With a culture of violence deeply ingrained in the U.S., the path to reducing school shootings is complex and requires systemic change, they warn. 

 

The Fresno Bee

A significant leadership change has occurred in Pasco County schools, with Amanda McCoy appointed as the new principal of Zephyrhills High School, effective Wednesday. McCoy, who has been with the district since 2006, takes over from Christina Stanley, who requested a transfer to Pasco eSchool as an assistant principal. Meanwhile, retired administrator Rob Aguis will temporarily lead Achieve Center-Richey Elementary School starting January 6, filling in for Chris Clayton, who is on an undetermined leave of absence.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Monroe County School District has announced the timeline for hiring a new superintendent following Theresa Axford's retirement at the end of the 2025 school year. Andrea Messina, CEO of the Florida School Boards Association, presented the hiring timeline during a meeting at Coral Shores High School on December 10.

 

Keys News

In Liberty City, Primer microschool is transforming education by focusing on individual student passions. Teacher Monique Bridges encourages creativity, as seen with sixth graders Albrielle Jones and Octruiya Howell, who are launching their own businesses. CEO Ryan Delk emphasizes the benefits of small class sizes, stating, “There’s plenty of people for them to go with, but there’s not enough for bullying, cliques and all of this other stuff to start to pop up.” The school, which opened in November, serves 120 students and offers state funding vouchers to make education accessible.

 

The Miami Herald

The Monroe County School District has launched a campaign to address the serious implications of making false threats. Such communications can lead to investigations and significant legal and educational repercussions. If deemed fabricated, individuals may face a second-degree felony charge, expulsion from school, or restrictions on participating in school activities.

 

Keys News

Polk County Public Schools is set to increase the volunteer application fee from $25 to $97.25 due to a new state law mandating enhanced background screenings. This change, effective March 1, aims to comply with legislation passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature, which requires fingerprinting for all volunteers. The district acknowledged that this "considerable expense" may deter potential volunteers and is exploring funding options to alleviate the costs.

 

Lakeland Ledger

Heavy rainfall led to significant flooding at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday morning. The unexpected deluge caused disruptions, impacting students and staff alike. As the situation unfolded, local authorities were alerted to manage the aftermath. The school community is now assessing the damage and planning for recovery.

 

NBC Miami

In January, the Marion County School Board will hold its meetings at the Marion County Commission auditorium due to renovations at the MTI Auditorium. Spokesman Kevin Christian stated, "The move is necessary because of renovations at the MTI building." There are five meetings scheduled for January, and the upgrades at MTI are expected to be completed by February 1.

 

Ocala.com

The Cushman School is celebrating its centennial this September, marking 100 years of educational excellence. Founded by Dr. Laura Cushman in 1924, the school has maintained a commitment to integrity, kindness, and social responsibility. Dr. Arvi Balseiro, the current head of school, emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “It takes a village to comprehensively educate all students.”

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

Over 1,600 electric school buses will soon join fleets across dozens of U.S. school districts, funded by $490m in EPA grants through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program. This initiative, part of a broader $735m investment in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, aims to improve air quality and reduce diesel exhaust pollution, particularly in underserved communities. Since the Clean School Bus Program's launch, 8,000 electric school buses have been funded, reflecting growing enthusiasm for sustainable transportation. The program highlights the health benefits, operational cost savings, and emergency power potential of electric buses. School districts nationwide, including in North Carolina, Indiana, and Utah, applied for funding, signaling widespread commitment to clean, reliable transportation for students. In addition to air quality improvements, the shift to electric buses supports environmental goals and addresses concerns like asthma, a leading cause of absenteeism. This transition is complemented by investments in charging infrastructure and technology to optimize electric fleet performance, paving the way for a sustainable future in student transportation.

 

School Bus Fleet