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President Donald Trump has enacted a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping K-12 education and university funding, which may provoke significant political backlash. The orders threaten to withhold federal funds from schools that fail to disclose foreign financial support. The K-12 order calls for a report on school discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions, as well as for model policies that are “rooted in American values and traditional virtues.” It criticizes warnings from Biden administration civil rights authorities that schools needed to address the “continuing urgency” of racial disparities in discipline. Another directive instructs the U.S. Education and Labor Departments to create opportunities for high school students to take artificial intelligence (AI) courses and certification programs, and to work with states to promote AI education. "We have literally trillions of dollars being invested in AI," Trump said. "Somebody today, a very smart person, said that AI is the way to the future. I don't know if that's right or not, but certainly very smart people are investing in it." In addition, Trump's order creates a White House Task Force on AI Education, which includes Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and will be chaired by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

 

New Jersey Herald

Los Angeles Times

Politico

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U.S. public school enrollment has been declining since 2020, leading to a significant reduction in state funding for schools. As federal pandemic relief funds expired in September 2024, many districts face a financial crisis, with an estimated 250,000 education jobs at risk, valued at $24bn. Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, warned: "If you take on recurring commitments, financial commitments, you're going to really find that in 2025, we will be calling it the bloodletting." The decline in enrollment, particularly in California, exacerbates the funding issue, as schools are funded based on student numbers. Education experts highlight that while some districts managed staffing through attrition, others failed to plan for the impending financial cliff, which could have lasting impacts on public education. Mike Fine, chief executive of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, emphasized the difficult reality: "The dollars are limited, and we have to live within the bounds of the financial support that we have."

 

NBC Miami

Technology is rapidly transforming education, as demonstrated at Millennium 6-12 Academy, where teachers utilize immersive tools like augmented reality to enhance lessons. Susan Cantrick, director of applied learning at Broward County Public Schools, noted, “Sure, it's changing, I mean, hourly.” Students showcased their use of virtual reality for subjects like algebra, with Dillard High student Kiera Brown stating: “When you put it on, you're in a whole different dimension.” Additionally, students are leveraging artificial intelligence to create apps for language learning, while assistive technology aids visually impaired students. The integration of these advanced tools allows students to explore various subjects in unprecedented ways, making learning more engaging and interactive.

 

NBC Miami

NBC Miami

The Putnam County School Board is exploring a one-time charge on new residential construction due to rising development and construction costs. This potential fee aims to address the financial challenges posed by increased demand for housing. As the board stated, "We need to find a way to manage these costs effectively." The decision is part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable growth in the county while balancing the needs of the community.

 

Palatka Daily News

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is grappling with a potential $28m loss in state funding for the 2025-2026 school year due to a significant decline in enrollment. Factors contributing to this downturn include the rise of Family Empowerment Scholarships and decreasing birth rates. OCPS spokesman Scott Howat expressed concern, stating: “We just haven’t seen this amount of decline in enrollment since the pandemic.” To address the issue, the OCPS School Board has partnered with Caissa Public Strategy LLC, a firm experienced in student recruitment. Superintendent Maria Vazquez noted that the firm will only be compensated for each student they successfully enroll. If enrollment goals are not met, OCPS will face a substantial deficit, prompting a 2% budget cut across all departments. Clinton McCracken, President of the Orange County Classroom Teacher's Association, emphasized the need for better state funding for public education, stating, “It’s time for Tallahassee to put students and communities first.”

 

News 13

The Volusia County School Board is reallocating $33m from a previously approved bank loan to finance two classroom addition projects at Pathways Elementary and Pine Ridge High School. The decision comes after delays in the construction of a new K-8 school intended to replace Enterprise Elementary. During a meeting on April 22, the board was informed of this priority change, with member Ruben Colon clarifying that the agenda item was simply to update the board. The board also approved an $8.4m purchase for the new K-8 school site, despite opposition from the DeBary City Council. A resolution regarding the financing of the classroom projects will be presented on May 13.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is expanding its Classroom Makeover Grant program, providing $1m to support STEM education in Florida. This year, two schools from Miami-Dade County Public Schools will each receive a $50,000 grant to revamp their classrooms.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The Monroe County School District has narrowed its search for the Florida Keys school superintendent to four semifinalists from an initial 11 candidates. This group includes two local contenders who will have interviews with the five district board members. Additionally, they will participate in meet-and-greet sessions with the public across the Keys.

 

Keys News

In Florida, a new educational model known as "à la carte education" is transforming how families approach learning. This system allows students to select courses and extracurricular activities from various providers, rather than being confined to a single school. As David T. Marshall, an associate professor of educational research, notes, "One size rarely fits all when it comes to learning." With the expansion of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in 2023, nearly all Florida students can now customize their education. This flexibility benefits families with diverse needs, such as student-athletes or those requiring specialized courses. However, the model also presents challenges, as parents must coordinate multiple learning options. Despite these hurdles, approximately 100,000 Florida families are already taking advantage of this innovative approach, paving the way for a more personalized educational experience.

 

Florida Politics

A new study published by Johannesburg-based SmartStart, a South African nonprofit organization, suggests that early learning programmes conducted in homes and community venues can significantly enhance children's developmental outcomes on a large scale. independent research team, led by Professor Sarah Chapman from the University of Cape Town, examined the progress of 551 children enrolled in SmartStart early learning programmes (ELPs) over an intensive eight-month period. It identified an increase in the proportion of children deemed “on track,” rising from 45% to 65%, while the number of children "falling far behind" nearly halved. There was also a reduction in the achievement gap between children from low- and high-income households, which narrowed from 25 points to six points. Kulula Manona, Chief Director for Foundations for Learning in South Africa's Department of Basic Education, said the study "shines a light on the incredible potential of our children when provided with the right developmental and learning opportunities. It underscores the critical role of community-based early learning programmes and the dedicated practitioners who deliver them in bridging the early learning access gap.”

 

IOL News