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Alan Levine, the incoming chair of Florida's Board of Governors, is establishing a special committee on Student Safety and Success in response to recent campus shootings at Brown University and Florida State University. Levine emphasized the importance of student safety, stating, "Student safety is not an afterthought for Florida's universities." The committee will collaborate with the governor and legislature to assess Florida's safety initiatives and monitor university efforts to protect students while maintaining free expression. This initiative follows a tragic shooting at Brown University on December 13, which left two dead and nine injured. Additionally, Florida lawmakers are considering legislation to allow trained employees to carry firearms on college campuses. Levine's term begins in January, with the board's next meetings scheduled for January 28 and 29 at Florida State University.

 

Tallahassee.com

A Bloomberg Law investigation has identified at least 40 federal civil rights lawsuits since 2017 alleging that children were strip searched in U.S. schools, often over minor issues such as vaping, missing money, or suspected drug possession. The cases describe searches conducted by school staff and, in some instances, police officers, frequently without parental consent and sometimes involving students with disabilities or searches by staff of a different gender. Courts have repeatedly found such searches to be highly intrusive, with studies linking them to long-term psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, and reduced academic engagement. While Supreme Court precedent limits excessively intrusive searches, legal grey areas and qualified immunity have allowed the practice to persist. Several states, including Hawaii, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, have moved to ban or restrict strip searches in schools, and lawmakers in others are considering reforms, as advocates argue that student safety can be maintained without practices that traumatize children.

 

Bloomberg Law

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Seabreeze High School officials met Robert Goodwin at Daytona Beach International Airport after he was flown from California to face charges of fraud and money laundering. Goodwin allegedly defrauded over 100 students at Seabreeze High School who had hired his company to organize a class trip to Europe. "Goodwin is accused of defrauding more than 100 students," said Sheriff Chitwood, highlighting the severity of the situation.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

Conscious Content Media Inc., an education company teaching coding and literacy to children aged between two and 10, has filed for bankruptcy after rapid post-pandemic expansion failed to deliver sustained profitability. The firm, which saw a sales surge during Covid-19 lockdowns, struggled when demand returned to pre-2020 levels and plans to eliminate over half of its $205.5m debt under a restructuring proposal supported by noteholders. Its business lines include the reading app Homer, coding platform codeSpark, and subscription service Little Passports.

 

Bloomberg

In an opinion piece in the Miami Herald, former Governor Jeb Bush, who currently serves as Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education and the Foundation for Florida's Future, writes that Florida's Schools of Hope program has been "significantly strengthened and expanded" by recent legislation, and suggests that the changes will allow networks like Success Academy Charter Schools to replicate their success elsewhere in the country - such as with Success Academy, which primarily serves "economically disadvantaged Black and Hispanic students", having "earned the No. 1 ranking in math and the No. 2 ranking in reading across the entire state of New York, outperforming districts like Scarsdale and Chappaqua, which serve the state's most affluent families".

 

The Miami Herald

In Tennessee, a legal dispute is emerging over religious charter schools after Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti indicated that the state's law prohibiting them is "likely" unconstitutional. The Knox County nonprofit Wilberforce Academy has filed a lawsuit against the local board of education, claiming "explicit" religious discrimination due to the charter school requirements. Preston Green, a professor of education at the University of Connecticut, emphasized the significant implications of this issue for public education, stating, "There are people who see religious charter schools as the next frontier of getting more public funding toward religious education." The lawsuit coincides with a new legal opinion from Skrmetti, who argued that the restrictions "exclude otherwise qualified religious entities from participating in a public benefit."

 

Chalkbeat

Laurel Blackburn, a dedicated math coach, has been honored as Lee County's 2026 Teacher of the Year. This recognition highlights her commitment to education and the impact she has made in her role. Blackburn's achievement reflects the importance of effective teaching in shaping students' futures. "It's an incredible honor," Blackburn said, emphasizing her passion for teaching and inspiring students.

 

News-Press.com

According to a recent survey of career and technical education (CTE) educators, there is a growing interest among students in digital technology, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The survey revealed that 31% of CTE educators anticipate the introduction of a career pathway in these fields within the next five years, the highest expectation among all CTE subject areas. In contrast, only 20% expect the addition of a construction pathway. Pat Yongpradit, chief academic officer for Code.org, emphasized the importance of CTE in preparing students for immediate job opportunities, adding: "The CTE world is all about preparing kids for immediate jobs, not an amorphous future." Additionally, Jaycie Homer, a middle school CTE teacher in New Mexico, noted that AI skills are transferable across various sectors, enhancing students' employability.

 

Education Week News

The Tampa Police Department have issued a press release confirming that they have identified "implementation concerns" ahead of the planned rollout of the School Zone Speed Camera program, meaning the program is "Not ready to move forward as planned". Officials at the department said they will launch a new process to select a new vendor to implement the program responsibly and in line with operational and public safety standards.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Ladejah Shaw, a 29-year-old substitute teacher in Duval County, was arrested on child neglect charges after allegedly encouraging two middle school students to fight on campus. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported that the arrest followed student interviews and a 34-second cellphone video of the incident. Shaw faces two felony counts of child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. "Teachers are called to lead the next generation, not put them in harm's way," the Sheriff's Office stated. Shaw remained in jail with a bond set at $15,012 as of December 18.

 

The Florida Times-Union

Gov.r Ron DeSantis' proposal to transfer the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida is pending approval from the state Legislature. The transfer has sparked discussions about the future of the campus, with many awaiting the Legislature's decision. 

 

Tampa Bay Times

New international student enrollment at U.S. colleges declined by 17% between fall 2024 and 2025, according to the Institute of International Education's (IIE) "Fall 2025 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment" report. This decline is attributed to challenges such as visa application difficulties and travel restrictions, with 57% of institutions reporting decreased new enrollments. Mirka Martel, head of research, evaluation, and learning at IIE, stated: "We look forward to the publication of the 2026 Spring Snapshot when we will get our next glimpse at the evolving landscape of international students in the U.S." The decline equates to an estimated $1.1bn in lost revenue and approximately 23,000 fewer jobs. While some colleges reported increases in international enrollment, the overall trend poses significant challenges for institutions, prompting a shift towards domestic recruitment strategies.

 

U.S. News

The New Zealand Ministry of Education is introducing a limited, one-off financial support scheme in January to help schools facing substantial costs from cleaning up asbestos-contaminated play sand. Schools have been forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on removing and replacing affected materials such as carpets, curtains, and furniture. One Auckland principal, whose school faces an estimated NZ$90,000 ($51,716) bill, has welcomed the scheme but expressed frustration at the lack of clarity around funding amounts and eligibility. To be considered, schools had to complete a survey outlining their financial needs by December 17. However, only those "experiencing financial difficulty" will qualify for reimbursement of asbestos testing costs, which has drawn criticism from affected principals. The ministry has yet to confirm the total funding pool or how it will be distributed, leaving many schools uncertain heading into the summer break.

 

RNZ