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Florida
6th February 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Lawmakers rethink charter school policies

Florida lawmakers are reassessing the use of public school facilities by for-profit charter schools, specifically those known as 'Schools of Hope,' which operate rent-free. Senate Bill 424 and House Bill 6023 aim to reverse this policy. Critics, including Charla Fox, a math teacher at South Fort Myers High School, argue that this arrangement burdens taxpayers and students. Fox stated: “Having more students, more teachers working off the same budget, but actually having less to educate our students with — yeah, those are all major concerns I have.” Kevin Daly, president of the Teachers' Association of Lee County, echoed these concerns, noting the strain on district resources. State Sen. Jonathan Martin acknowledged the need for efficiency but expressed caution about potential long-term consequences.

STATE NEWS

Bill requiring elementary students to learn cursive passes

The Florida House has unanimously passed a bill mandating cursive writing instruction for elementary students, specifically targeting grades two through five. Rep. Toby Overdorf, the bill's sponsor, commented: "If our students and young adults can't read, can't write cursive writing, they can't read the Declaration of Independence." The bill requires students to demonstrate proficiency in cursive by the end of fifth grade. However, a similar proposal in the Senate, SB 444, has yet to be addressed, and critics argue that cursive is already part of the curriculum, warning that the bill may contribute to excessive testing of students.

Florida Teachers Rally For Improved Funding

Florida's teachers' union has called on lawmakers to reconsider education funding and policy priorities, warning that chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and low pay are driving educators out of classrooms. At a rally, union leaders criticized billions being diverted to vouchers and charter schools and condemned a proposed teacher oath bill as a distraction from urgent issues affecting students. While educators highlight Florida’s ranking last in the nation for teacher pay, state leaders insist they are addressing funding, with Gov. Ron DeSantis proposing $200m to boost salaries and record per-student spending.

Lawmakers push for patriotic portraits

Lawmakers in Florida are advancing a bill, HB 371, that mandates public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in K-5 social studies classrooms. The bill, titled “Patriotic Displays in Classrooms,” received unanimous support from the House Subcommittee, with Rep. John Snyder, the bill's sponsor, stating, “I think it’s one of the more important pieces of legislation.” However, concerns about the potential “significant negative fiscal impact” on the Florida Department of Education were raised, as no cost analysis has been conducted yet. The implementation of the bill is contingent upon funding appropriations. A similar Senate bill, SB 420, is also progressing through the legislative process as Florida prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Enrollment in private school choice skyrockets

Enrollment in private school choice programs has significantly increased in recent years, with Republican-led states investing billions in subsidies for families. These programs include vouchers for private school tuition, education savings accounts (ESAs), and tax-credit scholarships. Chris Lubienski, a professor of education policy at Indiana University Bloomington, said: "There's a lot of questions here that really could have pretty profound impacts that aren't necessarily evident yet." As of now, twenty-eight states are set to participate in a new federal tax credit program, further complicating the landscape of private school choice. While some states see soaring demand, others struggle with capacity and funding issues. The push for expanded access continues, with advocacy groups like EdChoice aiming for universal eligibility in private school choice programs. However, accountability and transparency concerns are rising, prompting scrutiny of how funds are utilized.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Families demand justice for Parkland victims

Fred Guttenberg and other parents of victims from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting are holding the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) accountable for their inaction during the tragedy. "They all stood outside, scared for their own safety," said Jennifer Guttenberg, referring to the deputies who failed to intervene as the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, killed 17 individuals. An investigation revealed that BSO deputies, including school resource deputy Scot Peterson, did not act to stop the massacre. The families have filed a negligence lawsuit against BSO, which has faced delays in the legal process. BSO attorney David Ferguson acknowledged the families' frustrations but defended the agency's legal motions as "well founded in Florida law."

Guardians on campus: a safety boost

Kevin Steinmann, a school guardian in Volusia County, emphasized the importance of having someone on campus to ensure safety, stating: "Having somebody on campus that’s already looking for what’s going on is huge." House Bill 757 proposes to train and arm select postsecondary employees in response to last year's shooting at Florida State University. The bill aims to enhance safety measures in colleges and universities while also supporting the existing guardian program in K-12 schools. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood noted that the program's main function is to "stop an armed threat on campus." While supporters believe the bill provides essential prevention and response tools, concerns have been raised about potential confusion during active shooter situations. The bill has passed its first House committee and requires further legislative approval before reaching the governor.

DISTRICTS

Leeburg students walk out for justice

Over 20 students from Leesburg High School participated in a walkout protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The protest was part of a larger movement involving thousands of students nationwide. While some parents supported the students' right to protest, they acknowledged that it should not occur during school hours. A spokesperson for Lake County Schools stated: "Lake County Schools recognizes that students retain First Amendment rights," but emphasized the need for safety and instructional time. Students who left campus without authorization may face disciplinary action, as causing disruption is considered a Level IV infraction, potentially leading to suspension for up to 10 days.

Key West teachers honored

The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce honored 13 local teachers at its first meeting of 2026, recognizing their significant contributions to education. Each teacher received a gift bag valued at $3,175 and a $250 check along with their award plaque.

TECHNOLOGY

States push forward on classroom AI oversight

U.S. states are pressing ahead with regulating the use of AI in education, despite efforts by the Trump administration to limit state-level AI rules. During the last legislative session, more than 50 bills across 21 states addressed AI in schools, according to the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), focusing on areas such as AI literacy, student data privacy, transparency from education technology vendors, and limits on certain AI uses. While a federal executive order seeks to pause state AI regulations in favor of a national standard, advocates say states show no sign of slowing down. 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles outbreak surges in Florida

The measles outbreak in Collier County, Florida, has escalated to 20 confirmed cases, surpassing reports from state and federal health agencies. Data from the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI) at Johns Hopkins indicates that Florida's measles cases in 2026 have likely tripled compared to 2025. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) acknowledged 15 confirmed cases as of January 31, but local health providers report a total exceeding 30. New cases have emerged outside Southwest Florida, including Escambia County, which reported its first case in 30 years.

Kissimmee parks may go smoke-free

Jada Copeland, co-Chair for the Youth Advocacy Board of Florida SWAT, expressed the importance of youth advocacy in the push for a smoke-free ordinance in Kissimmee parks. “It’s definitely been a long effort, but I would say it’s been worth the wait,” Copeland said. The ordinance, which will be voted on by the city commission on February 17, aims to prohibit smoking and vaping in parks, addressing health concerns linked to tobacco use.

HEALTH & SAFETY

E-bike safety proposal gains momentum

Florida lawmakers are advancing a proposal aimed at improving safety for cyclists on e-bikes, with a unanimous 15-0 vote from the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy. The proposal, SB 382, mandates that e-bike riders slow down to under 10 mph when pedestrians are within 50 feet and requires local law enforcement to document e-bike-related crashes. State Senator Tom Leek emphasized the need for a "holistic approach" to regulations. The bill also faces calls to include electric scooters, highlighted by Michelle Lynch, whose son Connor was killed in a scooter accident. She stated: "We really need to have clear rules of the road for riders and the families who purchase these for their children." With 234 cyclist deaths in Florida in 2023, the urgency for safety measures is clear.

Data center sparks community outrage

A proposed 1.8m sq ft data center, known as Project Tango, is facing significant opposition from residents in Palm Beach County due to its proximity to the Arden community and Saddleview Elementary School. Governor Ron DeSantis expressed concerns, stating: "We are not going to allow any cost to be imposed on the people of our communities because of hyperscale data centers."

HIGHER EDUCATION

SEC schools cash in big time

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is set to distribute over $1bn to its 16 universities for the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking an increase of more than $200m from the previous year. The average distribution per school is $72.4m, significantly up from $53.8m in 2023-24. This payout includes revenue from television agreements, postseason bowls, and NCAA championships. Oklahoma and Texas, which joined the SEC in July 2024, received $2.6m and $12.1m, respectively, for their participation in the College Football Playoff and bowl games. "The amount distributed from the conference office... averaged $72.4m for schools with full year financial participation," the SEC noted.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea lowers teacher training intake

South Korea will cut more than 3,000 teacher training slots following a nationwide capacity assessment of teacher education institutions. The Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute reviewed 139 universities and determined enrolment reductions based on performance grades. Institutions graded C will cut intake by 30%, those graded D by 50%, and three institutions graded E, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Hanyang University ERICA, and Hyupsung University, will have their teacher training programmes abolished entirely. The reductions will mainly affect general education departments, teacher training tracks and graduate schools of education, reflecting declining demand and an effort to rebalance teacher supply.
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