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Recent national data reveal that K-12 teachers generally support teaching patriotic concepts more than parents or the public. The analysis, published in Education Next, surveyed over 1,000 teachers, 1,200 parents, and 1,200 adults in spring 2025. Findings indicate that over 80% of teachers believe it is crucial to teach students about the Constitution's core values, with 62% asserting that America should be portrayed positively. Brian Kisida, an associate professor at the University of Missouri, said: "The myth of the far-left indoctrinating teachers is just that: It's a myth." Despite political affiliations, teachers are more inclined than the general public to present the U.S. as "fundamentally good." However, formal civics education remains limited, with only four states requiring a full-year civics class for graduation. Kisida emphasized the need for a deeper exploration of citizenship in education.

 

Education Week News

More than Answers: Growing Mathematical Minds

Mathematical modeling is a dynamic process that teaches students to solve real-world problems using math. It moves beyond simple answers and encourages a deeper, more flexible understanding of mathematical concepts.

The modeling process follows a cycle: identify a problem, make simplifying assumptions, formulate a mathematical model, solve it, and interpret the results. The key is to validate the model against real-world data and refine it as needed. 

Learn how this approach boosts students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and engagement by connecting abstract concepts to tangible applications, like optimizing a delivery route. By integrating modeling into the classroom, educators can better prepare students for future STEM careers and informed decision-making.

Download a Modeling Infographic and Student Checklist!

 

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund food-assistance benefits for November, criticizing the government’s efforts so far to make payments during the government shutdown. Judge John McConnell said the administration violated the order he issued last week that required the government to tap emergency funds and “expeditiously” pay benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could have and should have been avoided,” he said, adding that the government “knew there would be a long delay in paying [partial] SNAP benefits and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.” The Justice Department is appealing the decision to the court of appeals, according to court filings.

 

ABC News

Politico

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

A Virginia jury awarded $10m to Abby Zwerner, a former teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner accused Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal, of neglecting warnings about the child's possession of a gun. Zwerner's attorney, Diane Toscano, emphasized the responsibility of school officials: "It's Dr. Parker's job to believe that that is possible. It's her job to investigate it and get to the very bottom of it." Zwerner sustained severe injuries, requiring multiple surgeries, and has since left the teaching profession. Parker faces a separate criminal trial for felony child neglect, while the student's mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for related charges.

 

USA Today

NPR / National Public Radio

New York Times

U.S. News

Florida's education system is facing significant financial challenges as the state exhausted its funds for the school program during the last academic year. Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, chairperson of the Florida House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee, announced that unpaid voucher funds from the 2024-25 school year will be distributed soon. This situation raises concerns about the sustainability of educational funding in Florida, highlighting the urgent need for financial solutions to support K-12 education. "Unpaid voucher funds will be distributed in the coming few weeks," said Persons-Mulicka, emphasizing the immediate actions being taken to address the funding crisis.

 

Tampa Bay Times

About 65 teachers gathered at Miami Southridge Senior High for a Town Hall moderated by former state senator Dwight Bullard, discussing the upcoming contract ratification vote. Antonio White, president of the United Teachers of Dade, emphasized the importance of union support: "I know it doesn't give you exactly what you deserve, but I think it's respectable." The tentative agreement includes a 3.26% increase to the current referendum supplement and additional raises based on performance ratings. Teachers expressed concerns over funding, with Jovany Corzo noting: "We were unable to secure a contract to pay something meaningful given the prices of gas and groceries." The meeting highlighted the challenges facing public schools, including declining enrollment and the impact of charter school expansions. If approved, the contract will go to the Miami-Dade School Board for final ratification.

 

The Miami Herald

The Pasco County School Board has approved salary increases for all employees, with the additional funds expected to appear in paychecks this week. The move aims to enhance employee satisfaction and retention within the district, contributing positively to the overall educational environment.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Manatee County commissioners have approved the site plan for a new high school, "AAA High School," in Lakewood Ranch, with a vote of 4-3. The school, set to open in 2027, will accommodate 2,500 students and feature extensive facilities, including sports fields and an auditorium. However, concerns were raised about traffic safety on Lorraine Road, which borders the site. Commissioner Jason Bearden expressed his worries, saying: "I know we need schools in that area, badly. But I'm also looking at Lorraine Road and how we didn't fund it." Despite these concerns, the school district emphasized the necessity of the new facility, with Chairman Chad Choate III noting: "We're over 100% capacity in the schools that these high school kids are being housed now."

 

Bradenton.com

Florida's scholarship funding system is facing significant challenges, with lawmakers expressing concerns over delays in payments to public schools. "I still have major concerns," said Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, highlighting issues with back payments and potential overpayments. The inclusion of approximately 32,840 students on the roster for second-quarter payments, despite their exclusion from the first quarter, is causing complications. The discrepancies are attributed to an outdated computer system, which struggles to manage the growing number of state scholarships. Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, criticized the lack of accountability, remarking: "Millions of dollars are being paid to these scholarship organizations, and there is zero accountability." The situation has prompted legislators to demand answers from the organizations managing Florida's extensive voucher program, which serves over 500,000 students.

 

Ocala.com

Mission Telecom, a nonprofit telecommunications provider, is addressing a federal funding gap for schools and libraries following the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to remove school bus Wi-Fi and internet hotspots from the E-rate program. Announced on October 14, Mission Telecom's initiative guarantees broadband funding for fiscal year 2025 at the same rates schools would have received under the E-rate program. Mark Colwell, Mission's director of broadband operations, said: "We looked internally and said, ‘What can we do to help?'" The FCC's recent vote has left many districts seeking $42.6m for hotspots and $15.1m for school bus Wi-Fi without support. Education advocates, including Keith Krueger, chief executive of the Consortium for School Networking, emphasized the importance of maintaining connectivity for all students, particularly in underserved communities.

 

Education Week News

In Florida, public schools are facing significant enrollment challenges as school choice becomes increasingly popular. John Olson, principal of Hartsfield Elementary School, emphasizes the importance of "customer service" in attracting students, as his school operates at only 61% capacity. Leon County School District has seen an 8% drop in enrollment, prompting concerns about budget cuts and potential school closures. With nearly 500,000 students receiving vouchers worth about $8,000 each for private education, the competition for students intensifies. Keith Jacobs of Step Up For Students remarked: "Gone are the days when a government institution or your zoned neighborhood school had the authority to assign a child to that school." As districts adapt to this new landscape, they are exploring innovative strategies to retain students and maintain funding.

 

The Miami Herald

In Florida, a troubling disconnect exists between school grades and student literacy. Despite a school earning an “A” grade for the 2024-2025 year, only 28% of students are reading at grade level. Kamali Burke, a senior vice president at Fenton, highlighted that “our kids are not learning to read,” linking literacy to economic success and health. In 2024, 67% of Florida fourth graders were not proficient in reading, a rise from 62% in 2019. The state’s grading system, which rewards schools without addressing fundamental literacy issues, raises concerns about educational priorities. Burke emphasized the need for Florida to focus on real student outcomes rather than misleading rankings, stating that fostering literacy must be a chief priority. The future of students depends on their ability to read and write effectively, not merely on the grades assigned to their schools.

 

Sun Sentinel

Florida Polytechnic University has formed a partnership with South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to enhance academic and research collaboration. This agreement allows for student and faculty exchanges, fostering interdisciplinary research initiatives. Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson said: "This is a transformative opportunity for Florida Poly students to immerse themselves in world-class research at an international level." Each year, up to three students from both institutions will have the chance to study at the other school, including participation in GIST’s Global Intern Program. The partnership aims to strengthen both universities' academic capabilities and support economic growth, as South Korea is Florida's seventh-largest bilateral trade partner in the Asia and Middle East Region.

 

Florida Politics

In April, the University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) signed a 287(g) task force agreement with ICE, allowing them to act as immigration enforcers on campus. This decision followed the arrest of Felipe Zapata Velásquez, a Colombian international student, who was detained by ICE after a traffic stop. The UF Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) protested against this agreement, claiming it has made immigrant and international students feel unsafe. Brian Garcia Ramos, a senior and campaign organizer for UF YDSA, said, “Our goal is to make UF a safer place for immigrant students and international students.” The group demands the university revoke the agreement, provide legal support for students, and alert them about ICE presence on campus. Despite their outreach, the university has not responded to their requests.

 

The Gainesville Sun

According to a report by the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), New College of Florida is the most financially inefficient school in the state university system. The report highlights that New College's operating funds per student stand at $83,207, which is four times the average for the system. Total spending increased from $53.2m in 2020-2021 to $93.04m, a 75% rise since Gov. Ron DeSantis initiated a conservative overhaul of the college. Despite a growing enrollment, New College has the second-lowest graduation rate in Florida at 19%. Ted Veerman, a spokesman for the governor's office, defended the college's increased costs, stating that the leadership changes aim to enhance academic outcomes and efficiency for taxpayers. However, the report also noted that New College has the lowest job placement rate and starting salary for graduates.

 

Daytona Beach News Journal

UNESCO's Ghana representative Edmond Mukaila has urged African nations to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to improve education, highlighting its potential for personalized learning, teacher support, and overcoming geographical barriers. Speaking at the 2025 Africa Education Trust Fund AI Conference in Accra, he also noted AI’s role in future skills development and curriculum design. “From smart agriculture solutions that optimize crop yields and water usage to AI-driven health care diagnostics that improve access to medical care, their applications are limitless,” he added.

 

News Ghana