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The Florida House has unanimously passed a bill (HB 949) aimed at restricting cell phone use in schools, expanding existing laws that limit wireless device usage during instructional time. Bill sponsor Demi Busatta said that "cell phones not only cause constant distractions to a student's focus during the school day, which impedes their ability to learn, but it also has shown to increase bullying." The bill would forbid students from using their phones during the school day, with possible exceptions for those with medical conditions. Meanwhile, the Senate is working on a broader education bill that requires a statewide policy on cell phone use by the end of 2026. Senate bill sponsor Danny Burgess noted that there is still "time on the clock" to reconcile differences with the House before the legislative session ends on May 2.

 

Florida Politics

Osceola News-Gazette

The Miami Herald

NBC Miami

Orlando Sentinel

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
  
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
  
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
  
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense's school system, claiming that the removal of race- and gender-related educational materials infringes on students' First Amendment rights. The suit, initiated in U.S. District Court in Virginia, argues that the Department of Defense Education Activity's actions stem from an executive order by President Donald Trump, which prohibits the promotion of what he termed "un-American" theories. The ACLU highlights that significant works, including Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Khaled Hosseini's “The Kite Runner,” have been removed from libraries. Natalie Tolley, a plaintiff and mother of three, stated, “They deserve access to books that both mirror their own life experiences and that act as windows that expose them to greater diversity.” The lawsuit represents 12 students from various locations, including Virginia and Japan.

 

ABC News

The Education Estimating Conference projects a decline in enrollment in Florida's traditional public schools. The report forecasts a drop from 2,805,298 students in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to 2,742,162 by the 2029-2030 fiscal year. This trend coincides with the expansion of voucher programs, indicating a shift in educational preferences.

 

Orlando Sentinel

A new bill, SB 140, aims to simplify the process for parents to convert public schools into charter schools, despite claims from its sponsor, Sen. Don Gaetz, that it does not favor charter schools. The Senate Rules Committee approved the bill with an 18-5 vote, allowing only parents of currently enrolled students to decide on conversions, removing the need for teacher or school board approval. Critics, including Sen. Lori Berman, expressed concerns that a small percentage of parents could drastically change a school's structure, stating, “Only 500 of them need to vote to say they’d like to have a vote.” Teacher Tessa Barber criticized the bill as an attack on public education, warning it could lead to corruption and a lack of oversight. Gaetz defended the bill as a tool for parental choice in education.

 

Florida Politics

The Alachua County School Board has voted 3-2 to terminate Rawlings Elementary School's participation in a year-round school pilot program. Principal Jim Kuhn presented data showing a 19%-20% drop in full-time enrollment, with 233 students leaving the school. Board member Tina Certain, who initiated the motion, expressed concerns about the lack of improvement, stating, "I don't see anything that our staff is doing at Rawlings now that's any different." Dissenting board member Janine Plavac highlighted the need for experienced teachers, noting that 44% of Rawlings' teachers are first-year educators. The pilot program was established under House Bill 89 1, allowing the Florida Department of Education to support year-round school initiatives.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Phil Leary, the chairman of the Putnam County School Board, recently addressed his colleagues regarding his outreach to the governor's office about the Department of Government Efficiency. He emphasized the need for improved efficiency within the school system, stating, "We must strive for better management and resource allocation." This initiative aims to enhance educational outcomes and streamline operations within the district.

 

Palatka Daily News

Orange County Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with five local police departments to maintain police presence on campuses through the 2026-27 school year. The resolution comes after months of negotiations regarding the costs associated with police protection. The district announced the agreement on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of safety for students. As stated in the announcement, the deal ensures that "officers will remain on campuses," providing a secure environment for students and staff alike.

 

News 13

Click Orlando

The Miami Herald

Orlando Sentinel

In a recent National Principals Advocacy Conference, S. Kambar Khoshaba, a principal from Lorton, Virginia, emphasized the urgent need for school leaders to advocate for public education funding. He noted: "If we fail to speak up, we leave the future of our schools in the hands of those who may not fully understand our challenges." The conference highlighted the importance of sharing real stories with lawmakers to inform their decisions, especially regarding Title I and Title II funding. Khoshaba's experience revealed that many legislators lack firsthand knowledge of public school challenges, making advocacy essential. He urged fellow principals to unite in their efforts to ensure that education funding remains a priority, stating that "one principal's advocacy for public education can be powerful." The collective voice of school leaders is crucial for shaping effective education policies that support students and teachers.

 

Education Week News

Florida's education budget is under significant strain, with potential cuts of up to $60m discussed in school board meetings across the Tampa Bay area. Pinellas County school board chairperson Laura Hine commented the impact of Florida Empowerment Scholarships: "A lot of people don't know why our budget is being so impacted." The situation has led to concerns about funding for essential programs, with Pasco County school board member Jessica Wright warning that losing $7m in funding due to legislative misunderstandings is "hugely concerning." Both boards are urging parents and community members to voice their opinions to lawmakers as they navigate these challenges.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) is dedicated to fostering STEM education, exemplified by their support for Anacostia High School's robotics team. Ishmael Kamara, a general engineer at SSP, mentored the students, helping them build their robot, “AnaDroid 2963,” which competed in the FIRST competition. Kamara stated, “It was a major achievement for the team.” The students utilized various materials, including polyvinyl chloride pipe, to create their machine. Chloe Mancle, a human resource specialist at SSP, facilitated the acquisition of supplies for the project. The team earned the Rising All-Stars Award at the FIRST Chesapeake Competition, showcasing the impact of local STEM initiatives.

 

DVIDS

Strive305 and Virtutem Populo have launched a new economic fellowship program aimed at high school students in Miami-Dade County, designed to cultivate future entrepreneurs. The program, which includes collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, has selected 13 students to engage with local business owners and gain practical insights into the economic landscape. "When young people are given a seat at the table, they rise to the occasion," said Maurits Acosta, founder and executive director of Virtutem Populo. This initiative aligns with Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava’s vision for an inclusive economy, equipping students with essential skills and fostering community-oriented entrepreneurship. The fellowship not only enhances students' knowledge but also builds leadership skills and meaningful relationships, ensuring a diverse representation in Miami-Dade's entrepreneurial future.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

Eleven universities in Florida have partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws on their campuses through the 287(g) program. This initiative allows campus police to question individuals about their immigration status during routine police work. Each university police department head will decide how many officers to train, which involves a 40-hour online course. Students have reacted strongly, with protests at Florida International University, where they declared, “ICE is not welcome on our campus.” Gov. Ron DeSantis has mandated county jails to participate in this program and allocated $250m to assist local police agencies with costs associated with federal immigration programs.

 

The Miami Herald

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has issued a stern warning to Harvard University, threatening to revoke its ability to enroll international students unless it provides records regarding “illegal and violent activities” of its foreign student visa holders. In a letter, Noem demanded these records by April 30, 2025, or Harvard could lose its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which is essential for issuing visa application forms to international students. The DHS emphasized the importance of this certification for universities. CNN has reached out to both DHS and Harvard for further comments on this developing situation.

 

CNN Edition

Canada's residential school survivors are urging political parties to pledge full support for investigations into unmarked burials and missing children linked to the institutions. Although several initiatives were announced in 2021 following the findings of potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, they are currently in a state of uncertainty, with funding discontinued for the expert committee advising Indigenous communities undertaking searches. Cadmus Delorme was chief of Cowessess First Nation in 2021, when the community announced 751 suspected unmarked burials were located at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. He said Canada "has a fiduciary financial responsibility in this moment," as communities still seek closure, and added: "We have to address certain things we inherited, we can't just forget about it, and this is one of them."

 

CBC News