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The Trump administration's attempt to overturn longstanding school desegregation orders is facing significant resistance from U.S. District Judge Dee Drell in Louisiana. The Concordia Parish school system and state officials have appealed after Drell rejected their request to dismiss a 1965 lawsuit initiated by Black families seeking access to all-white schools. Drell emphasized: "At the heart of this case is public policy and the protection of others," highlighting the importance of adhering to established legal precedents. The Justice Department, which has historically supported these cases, now argues they are outdated. However, many families believe the existing court orders are essential for improving education in predominantly Black schools. The case represents a critical test of the administration's efforts to end such legal battles rooted in the Civil Rights era.

 

Local10

U.S. News

At a recent Education Week forum, educators emphasized the need for cautious, flexible integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. Panelist Justin Reich of MIT advised schools to “be their own local scientists,” given the lack of conclusive research. Aaron Cinquemani stressed the importance of welcoming criticism and adapting policies as understanding grows, while Tina Nuñez described Albuquerque’s broad, evolving guidelines. All agreed that AI literacy is essential, beginning with teachers and extending to students. “It’s OK to be transparent… that we don’t know what to do and we’re trying things,” Reich noted.

 

Education Week News

Florida State University's Florida Institute for Child Welfare is pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) to train students for real-life scenarios in child welfare. Kristina Finch, associate director of professional development, emphasized the goal of providing "technical assistance to these other organizations to develop them to help them to really get in tune with the innovations that are out there." Program manager Kyle Cook highlighted the immersive nature of VR, stating, "The reality we are able to portray in the VR headset is even greater than what we can do on a computer screen." With 16 quadrillion different scenarios available, the training aims to prepare students to effectively serve children and families across Florida.

 

Tallahassee News

The recent implementation of Florida's "Schools of Hope" law has allowed charter school companies to target underperforming public school facilities in Manatee County. Mater Academy Inc. and Somerset Academy Inc. have submitted notices to take over Lincoln Memorial Academy and the Sara Scott Harllee Center. The law enables charter operators to utilize these facilities while the public school district remains responsible for associated costs. “The School District of Manatee County is preparing its response in a timely manner,” said a district spokesperson. The district has 60 days to negotiate a performance-based agreement or face reduced administrative fees for charter schools. If no agreement is reached, both parties can appeal to the State Board of Education. The district is also considering alternative facilities for the charter operators, but the operators are not obligated to accept them.

 

Bradenton.com

Cindy Pearson, a board member for District 3 of Duval County Public Schools, raises concerns about the financial implications of charter schools colocating in district schools. She questions why these charter schools should not cover operational expenses for their students sharing space with district schools. "Everyone pays their way," she emphasizes, advocating for local school boards to maintain control over district resources. Pearson also suggests updating the Florida Inventory of School Houses report to reflect current classroom utilization and counting prekindergarten students in school capacity. She argues that the overall school grade should determine colocation eligibility, ensuring that district schools can continue to improve without financial strain from colocated charter schools.

 

The Florida Times-Union

The Brevard Schools Foundation has named Christopher "Chris" Hattaway, a school resource officer at Rockledge High School, as the 2025-2026 Brevard Public Schools Employee of the Year. Hattaway was recognized during the ABC (Applauding Brevard's Champions) Employee of the Year Breakfast on November 19, where 97 support professionals were honored for their dedication. Additionally, Palm Bay City Manager Matthew Morton received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association, highlighting his commitment to ethical governance.

 

Florida Today

As the holiday season approaches, food pantries are experiencing increased demand due to the recent federal shutdown. With government assistance programs like SNAP resuming, Pantry Planters Director Tammi Madison noted: “We got even more strained at a time of year when we're already strained.” The organization has established a network of 52 pantries, including 10 new ones in schools, to support families in need. Madison emphasized that these provisions are “bonus food” and do not affect government assistance. She also highlighted the community's generosity, stating that many businesses and non-profits are stepping up to help during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

Osceola News-Gazette

Writing for The Hechinger Report, Jackie Mader reflects on her own child care journey and shares top early childhood resources drawn from a decade of reporting. These include guides on identifying quality preschools, understanding risks of unsafe sleep products, building early math skills, navigating conversations about race, and supporting learning through play. One key insight from researcher Charlotte Anne Wright is that “guided play” offers educational value without heavy demands on parents. Mader’s compilation serves as a practical toolkit for families seeking informed approaches to early childhood development.

 

The Miami Herald

Colleges receiving federal funds are mandated to publish annual crime reports under the Clery Act. Florida State University's report indicated a rise in liquor law referrals and motor vehicle thefts, while Florida A&M University reported increases in burglaries, domestic violence, and motor vehicle thefts. Tallahassee State College noted minimal crime due to its lack of residential facilities. The Clery reports, released annually in October, cover crime statistics from the previous three years, highlighting issues such as thefts and domestic violence. FSU's report showed 197 liquor law referrals and 108 motor vehicle thefts in 2024. FAMU's report indicated a decrease in drug abuse violations but an increase in burglaries and domestic violence. TSC reported almost no crime, reflecting its off-campus student living situation.

 

Tallahassee.com

At Robinson High School in Tampa identical twins Alicia and Taylor Jones became the fourth and fifth sisters in their family to join a dominant girls flag football legacy. The state, which first sanctioned the sport in 2003, now supports over 10,000 players across 450 schools. Former players like Deliah Autry-Jones—now a U.S. national team member and Robinson coach—are returning to mentor new athletes. “What better way to give back than to the program that just absolutely changed everything for me?” Autry-Jones said. National growth and Olympic inclusion are fueling new collegiate aspirations.

 

News 13

Click Orlando

U.S. News

At Temple University, biology professor Jody Hey has implemented a ban on laptops in his classroom, leading to increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes. "The clearest sign that it's making a difference is that students are paying attention more," said Hey, who has taught at Temple for over 12 years. This trend is echoed by other professors, such as Jessa Lingel from Penn, who noted that students were distracted by non-academic activities on their laptops. While some educators, like Sudhir Kumar, find value in technology for interactive learning, many are opting for a return to handwritten notes, citing studies that show students perform better when taking notes by hand. The movement towards banning laptops reflects a growing concern about distractions in the classroom and the importance of focused learning.

 

The Miami Herald