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Writing in The Miami Herald, Jeb Bush, who served as Florida’s Republican governor from 1999 to 2007, writes that the state has made major improvements to education reform over the past two decades, driven by the belief that every child deserves access to quality education. The state has implemented programs to support high-performing schools and address struggling ones, making it a model for educational choice. Despite these advancements, many students still attend persistently low-performing schools. Bush claims that in response to this issue, Florida launched the Schools of Hope program in 2018, which incentivizes high-quality charter operators to open schools for students in failing institutions. This year, lawmakers expanded the program, allowing high-performing operators access to underutilized public school facilities. The new funding policy ties supplemental dollars to school performance, rewarding those that achieve exceptional results. Jeb Bush emphasized that "reform is never finished," highlighting the state's commitment to continuous improvement in education.

 

The Miami Herald

Major technology firms, including Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI, are collaborating with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to provide free artificial intelligence (AI) training for educators, pledging $23m over five years. The initiative will establish a National Academy for AI Instruction in New York City, starting with local educators and expanding nationwide. Randi Weingarten, AFT president, emphasized the importance of showing teachers how to navigate AI "wisely, ethically, and safely." She added: “The direct connection between a teacher and their kids can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn how to harness it, set commonsense guardrails, and put teachers in the driver’s seat, teaching and learning can be enhanced." The program aims to support 400,000 educators, offering continuing education credits, workshops, and resources to enhance their understanding of AI's role in education. The initiative follows a White House pledge involving 68 organizations to promote AI literacy in schools. While the funding is significant, experts like Amelia Vance, president of the Public Interest Privacy Center, stress the need for actionable commitments from companies to ensure effective AI training without compromising student data privacy.

 

CNN Edition

Education Week News

K-12 Dive

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 27 that allows parents to excuse their children from LGBTQ-themed storybooks in classrooms has raised concerns among educators. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. stated that denying parents this right “unconstitutionally burdened” their ability to guide their children's religious upbringing. David Stein, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, expressed worries about the logistical challenges teachers will face, saying: “the burden is really going to be a mess.” The Montgomery County district, which initially allowed opt-outs, rescinded the policy due to the growing number of requests. Now, teachers must navigate the complexities of accommodating students who opt out, potentially leading to classroom divisions. Kira Mikkelsen, a teacher in the district, noted that many educators may not have used the LGBTQ-themed books, citing time constraints and a lack of training. National Education Association President Becky Pringle warned that limiting access to such books could hinder students' learning and sense of belonging.

 

Education Week News

Florida has enacted a new law requiring parental consent for corporal punishment in schools, a significant change aimed at reducing its use. Jacob Kaplan, president of the Florida Student Policy Forum, remarked: "It's quite honestly amazing that this hasn't previously been in place in Florida." The law, known as HB 1255, mandates that parents must approve corporal punishment for the school year or for each instance it is used. Currently, 19 public school districts in Florida allow corporal punishment, with data showing 516 instances reported in the 2023-24 school year. Concerns have been raised about the disproportionate impact on students with disabilities, who accounted for around 40% of corporal punishment cases. Kim Winker from Moms for Liberty emphasized the importance of parental involvement in disciplinary decisions, saying: "The parents need to have the guardrails in place so they can choose what is right for their student."

 

Florida Phoenix

A lawsuit against social media companies, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, claims these platforms are designed to attract and addict children. Approximately 46 of Florida's 67 school districts have joined the lawsuit, which aims to fund mental health programs and reduce students' social media usage. Board member Brian Moriarty emphasized, "Social media has been very detrimental to our kids," advocating for the lawsuit as a cost-free opportunity to address mental health crises. However, some board members expressed skepticism, viewing the lawsuit as a potential "money grab" and questioning its effectiveness in creating real change. The Martin County School Board is expected to make a decision on joining the lawsuit by September, with the case likely to be heard in January 2026.

 

TCPalm

The Hillsborough County School Board has appointed six new principals during a recent meeting, following the appointment of seven others last month. Notable changes include Toby Johnson, who will transition from principal of Martinez Middle School to Blake High School, and Jeremy Klein, moving from Brandon High School to Gaither High School. These leadership changes aim to enhance the educational environment across the district.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Teachers are feeling overworked and underpaid, but recent findings from the RAND Corporation indicate a slight improvement in their situation. The survey, conducted with over 1,400 K-12 teachers, revealed that the percentage of teachers reporting burnout has decreased, with only 16% intending to leave their jobs, down from 22% last year. However, disparities remain, particularly among Black teachers, who report lower pay and higher burnout rates. Ashley Woo, an associate policy researcher at RAND, expressed concerns about these disparities, and also noted: “Not everyone who says that they're likely to leave is actually going to leave.” Despite a slight increase in average teacher salaries, the gap between teacher pay and that of similarly educated adults continues to widen, contributing to ongoing stress and dissatisfaction among educators.

 

Education Week News

A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in handgun carrying among Florida teens, with rates rising by 65% from 2002 to 2022. The data, sourced from the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, indicates that 6% of teens now carry handguns, up from 3.7%. Notably, teen girls, middle school students, and white students showed the highest increases in handgun carrying. Conversely, handgun carrying in schools has decreased by 60%, with teen boys and rural students contributing to this decline. The researchers pointed out the requirement for tailored prevention strategies, claiming: "These findings indicate the need to specifically tailor earlier prevention strategies focused on handgun access and carrying toward female and middle school students." The study highlights the complex dynamics of handgun carrying among different demographic groups in Florida.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Florida is experiencing a significant upheaval in higher education, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, who is reshaping universities to align with conservative values. The American Association of University Professors reported in 2023 that "what is unfolding in Florida is horrifying," highlighting the removal of courses and increased scrutiny of university finances. DeSantis has pushed for a new accreditor system, allowing Florida to bypass traditional governance structures, which critics argue undermines academic freedom. Afshan Jafar, a sociology professor, noted: "They're basically going to change the rules for accreditation, and get to do whatever they want." The ACLU has also challenged laws restricting discussions on diversity and inclusion, calling them an effort to control higher education content. As resistance grows, the future of Florida's universities hangs in the balance amid ongoing political interference.

 

Creative Loafing Tampa

Miriam Ramírez, president of a major parent-teacher association in Lima, reports that over 1,000 schools in the city are being extorted by gangs, with many succumbing to their demands. "The country is going to end up in total ignorance," she warns, as schools struggle to cope with the threats. Gangsters are demanding payments ranging from $14,000 to $28,000, leading some institutions to switch to online classes or close entirely. The situation has worsened due to a rise in crime during the COVID pandemic and political instability, with corrupt police officers allegedly tipping off gangs. Despite the dangers, some business owners, like Carla Pacheco, refuse to pay extortion fees, risking violent retaliation. Schools are now factoring extortion payments into their budgets, with some administrators stating they had no choice but to comply to ensure safety.

 

NPR / National Public Radio