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Florida's education leaders are celebrating apparent improvements, with 71% of schools earning A or B grades - up from 64% last year - and rising proficiency rates in English and math under the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) test. Miami-Dade and Broward counties maintained their 'A' district status, with no schools receiving failing grades. Gov. Ron DeSantis hailed the shift to progress monitoring tests, designed to ease pressure on students by replacing the previous single end-of-year exam. However, experts warn that these early gains may reflect increased test familiarity rather than real academic progress, urging caution until more long-term data becomes available. They also highlight the limitations of state grading systems, recommending the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) as the gold standard for tracking true educational outcomes over time.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

The Miami Herald

In response to a declining membership and an aging workforce, the National Education Association (NEA) has initiated a working group aimed at supporting early-career teachers. Em DePriest, a teacher from Kansas, emphasized the importance of this initiative, commenting: “People look at us and say, [early-career teachers] haven't been here for 25 years. They weren't a pandemic teacher. They haven't been in the fight and don't know what it's like. And sure, that might all be accurate, but we are in it now. That fight is going to continue with or without us, so we have to be able to put our fists up against it.” The group will focus on professional development tailored for teachers in their first seven years, addressing the high turnover rates among young educators. NEA spokesperson Celeste Fernandez noted that approximately 30%-35% of union members are early-career teachers. The goal is to enhance retention by providing relevant training and fostering community among new educators.

 

Education Week News

The Florida Department of Education is drafting regulations to ensure teachers are trained to handle allergic reactions in students, as mandated by SB 1514. This process includes recognizing symptoms and administering epinephrine. The department held public meetings to discuss these regulations, which will require an "adequate number" of school personnel to be trained. Additionally, the proposed changes aim to eliminate certificates of completion for students who do not meet graduation requirements, encouraging them to strive for higher academic standards. Lawmakers believe that these changes will better prepare students for future opportunities. The department is also considering allowing high school students to earn community service hours through paid tutoring, enhancing their eligibility for the Bright Futures scholarship.

 

Orlando Weekly

Florida school and district leaders are actively reviewing grading data to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Notably, Pasco County's Cox Elementary has successfully improved its status, moving off the state's improvement watch list with a B grade. Meanwhile, the Alachua County school district narrowly missed achieving an A grade. The ongoing analysis aims to inform necessary adjustments in staff and curriculum to enhance educational outcomes.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Leon County School District faces significant challenges as over $6.3m in federal funding is currently frozen due to the Trump administration's political agenda. Superintendent Hanna emphasized the need for budget cuts in administrative offices while ensuring classrooms remain unaffected, stating that "just about everything is in play." School Board member Rosanne Wood expressed disappointment in state leadership for their callousness towards students' futures. Despite these setbacks, Hanna reassured that "the sky isn't falling," and the district remains committed to providing quality education. The graduation rate for the 2024-25 school year is projected at 86.6%, with efforts ongoing to support at-risk students through various interventions.

 

Tallahassee.com

The Brevard Schools Foundation will host its 23rd Annual Back-to-School Blast-Off on July 19 at the Clearlake Education Center in Cocoa, providing free school supplies to the first 2,000 students in need. This event aims to support families struggling to afford essential school items, ensuring that every student has a confident start to the school year. Local organizations and volunteers will assist at the event, which is made possible through community donations and partnerships.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

A recent legislation in Florida aims to enhance educational opportunities by simplifying the process for charter schools to operate. The bill allows charter schools to utilize vacant spaces in traditional public school buildings and expands eligibility criteria for becoming a "School of Hope." Kelly Garcia, a visiting fellow at Independent Women, emphasizes that this initiative is designed to provide alternatives for students in underperforming schools, saying: "This is what education freedom means, and what students deserve." Critics express concerns about potential state overreach, but supporters argue that it empowers parents to choose the best educational options for their children. The law also mandates that charter schools have access to unused district buildings rent-free, addressing the ongoing decline in public school enrollment in Florida.

 

Daytona Beach News Journal

The "Second Chance Act" in Florida mandates that all high school athletes undergo at least one electrocardiogram before participating in school sports. This law was enacted following the tragic death of 14-year-old Hezekiah Walters, who collapsed during football conditioning drills in 2019 due to undetected cardiac conditions. The act aims to address the shortcomings of standard sports physicals, which often overlook serious heart issues in young athletes. This initiative marks Florida as the first state to implement such a requirement, highlighting the importance of early detection in preventing similar tragedies.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Osceola County Commission has approved a $400,000 agreement with the Florida Department of Health to fund vaping prevention initiatives aimed at youth. The program will include "school-based education, cessation support, community outreach, and vape detectors in schools," according to a county spokesperson. Advocates, including Candace McKnight from Parents Against Vaping, view this as a significant step forward, emphasizing the need for evidence-based education. Her son’s health decline, attributed to vaping and a respiratory illness, underscores the urgency of this initiative. The Florida Department of Health's Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that 6.7% of high schoolers in Osceola County used vape products in 2024, compared to 10.4% statewide.

 

News 13

Tampa Bay Times

The Trump administration has intensified its conflict with Harvard University, announcing that the Department of Homeland Security would issue subpoenas regarding alleged misconduct by foreign students. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services indicated that Harvard's failure to address claims of harassment against Jewish students could lead to the loss of its accreditation, which would make students ineligible for federal financial aid. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way." The administration aims to instigate change at Harvard and similar institutions, asserting they have become centers of leftist ideology and antisemitism.

 

Politico

U.S. News

Pakistan's federal government is to distribute 100,000 laptops to students across the country, as part of the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme 2025. A high-level meeting of the scheme’s third special committee was held on Tuesday, chaired by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; officials reviewed the regional distribution of applications and quota allocations. He announced later that the central launch ceremony will be held on July 25th at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, adding: “Access to technology is key to Pakistan’s development."

 

Islamabad51