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Florida
12th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida bill expands campus guardian option

Florida’s SB 896, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, has advanced out of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on a 7-1 vote, allowing public universities and state colleges to create optional guardian programs that permit trained faculty and staff to carry guns on campus. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith cast the lone no vote, saying, “I fundamentally don’t believe that adding more guns to the equation… is something that will help us,” and warning it could lead to broader campus carry. Gaetz argued participation is “entirely optional” and cited positive experiences in K-12 districts. The bill sets training requirements and involves local sheriffs.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Grade inflation threatens students' future success

Grade inflation in the U.S. may adversely affect students' academic performance and future earnings, according to a study presented at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The research analyzed data from nearly 1m students in Los Angeles USD and 250,000 students in Maryland. Findings indicate that students receiving lenient grading, where teachers assign higher grades than warranted by standardized test scores, are less likely to succeed in subsequent courses and achieve lower test scores. The report states: "Our results are consistent with the idea that grades act as a strong incentive for learning." In Maryland, students impacted by grade inflation were less likely to attend college or secure employment, resulting in an estimated loss of $160,000 in lifetime earnings for every 0.2-point increase on a 4.0 grading scale. This trend highlights the growing concern over the relationship between rising grades and declining standardized test performance.

STATE NEWS

Senate Judiciary Committee backs 'free and timely' access to records

A meeting of the Florida State Senate's Judiciary Committee on February 10 voted unanimously to move forward with a proposed bill that would guarantee "free and timely" access to public records for school board members. The Florida School Board Members' Bill of Rights, sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek and Sen. Don Gaetz, has been brought forward after Volusia County Schools charged school board member Donna Brosemer to see signed non-disclosure agreements amid controversy last year.

Unlocking private school access

William Mattox, senior director of the Stanley Marshall Center for Education Freedom at The James Madison Institute, argues Florida’s school choice scholarships are outpacing private school capacity. He cites 41,000 families who received scholarships but didn’t use them because they couldn’t secure seats before enrollment closed, a dynamic researchers Ron Matus and Dava Cherry labeled “Plan B” households. Mattox links shortages to regulatory barriers, citing a 2025 Teach Florida study that zoning approval for a new private school “typically takes 12-18+ months” and costs over $150,000. He highlights proposed legislation by Rep. Hillary Cassel and Sen. Alexis Calatayud to let small private schools operate in non-residential zones without rezoning, aiming to expand supply.

TEACHING

Teachers battle social media misinformation

Teachers across the U.S. are increasingly addressing misinformation from social media in their classrooms, according to a national survey conducted by K12. The survey revealed that 67% of teachers have had to "un-teach" incorrect information students learned online, with over 49% stating this happens frequently. As digital content becomes more prevalent in education, teachers are tasked with correcting misleading details while maintaining traditional instruction. The survey also found that 73% of parents reported their children watch educational videos online, with 89% noting improved grades. However, 57% of teachers believe that online videos are both beneficial and detrimental to student learning.

FINANCE

Leon County School Board to delay cuts decision

The Leon County School Board is to meet on March 24 to vote on $7m of cuts proposed by Superintendent Rocky Hanna, with the delay intended to allow for a decision to be taken with more insight on what funding can be expected once the State House and Senate agree a budget for the next year. Chair Marcus Nicolas said the board "cannot prolong this much longer than that, so we have to make a decision", with proposed cuts including the closure of the Leon County Virtual School and cuts to arts and athletics funding.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Fast-tracked projects boost Pine Ridge

Due to delays in a $21m classroom project at Pine Ridge High School, the Volusia County School Board has approved fast-tracking seven other facilities projects. George Smith, bound counsel for the School Board, explained that the IRS advised using the funds for other projects instead of letting them sit idle. The new projects include upgrades to HVAC systems, modifications to bus loops, and extensions of parent loops at various schools. "This will allow those to be accelerated," Smith said. Additionally, the district welcomed Deidra Whittenberger as the new chief financial officer, replacing Todd Seis.

New school plan sparks community interest

Gadsden County School District is currently hosting a public meeting at Stewart Street Elementary School to discuss plans for a new K-8 school that will replace four older facilities: Gadsden Elementary Magnet, George W. Munroe Elementary, Stewart Street Elementary, and James A. Shanks Middle School. District leaders emphasize that this meeting allows community members to "ask questions, share feedback, and help shape the future of education" in the area.

GOVERNANCE

Three candidates vie for District 6

As the election approaches, three candidates have emerged for the District 6 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board, currently held by Karen Perez. Following a tumultuous year marked by conflicts with state leaders and uncertainties regarding federal funding, the board will see elections for three districts in November: 2, 4, and 6. Karen Perez, who was first elected in 2018 and became board chair in November, is among the candidates.

LEGAL

School board sued over sexual assault

The Lee County School Board is facing a civil lawsuit from the parents of a student who was sexually assaulted by a teacher's aide, Lauren King, at Royal Palms Exceptional Center. King, who is serving an eight-year prison sentence after pleading guilty, is at the center of allegations that the district failed to protect vulnerable students. The lawsuit claims the district had prior knowledge of misconduct involving staff but did not take necessary actions. The filing references three other cases of staff-on-student misconduct, highlighting systemic issues within the district.

TECHNOLOGY

Instagram chief stands by approach to youth mental health

Instagram head Adam Mosseri has defended the platform’s product decisions at a Los Angeles trial alleging “social media addiction” and youth mental-health harms. A plaintiff who began using Instagram at age nine says Meta and YouTube profited by attracting children despite known risks, contributing to depression and body dysmorphia. Court emails showed internal debate about allowing face-altering filters. Mosseri said he sought balance, supporting allowing some filters without boosting them in recommendations. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is also expected to testify in the coming weeks.

HIGHER EDUCATION

U.S. colleges report over $5bn in foreign funding in 2025

U.S. colleges and universities received more than $5bn in reportable foreign gifts and contracts in 2025, according to newly released data from the Department of Education. The information, published on a new federal transparency website, is part of the Trump administration’s effort to increase scrutiny of foreign influence in higher education. Qatar was the largest source of funding, contributing about $1.1bn—over 20% of the total—followed by the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland and Japan. Major recipients included Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, MIT and Stanford University. Federal law requires schools to report foreign gifts or contracts exceeding $250,000, though concerns about underreporting have prompted calls for stronger oversight. The administration has launched investigations into some institutions over compliance issues. Supporters of the transparency push say the data provides needed insight into foreign ties, particularly involving countries such as China, Russia and Iran. However, university representatives argue that institutions comply with reporting requirements and caution that the data lacks context, such as long-term trends or detailed explanations of funding sources.

 
NPR

Undocumented students face education crisis

Each year, around 90,000 undocumented students graduate high school, but their chances of pursuing higher education are diminishing. According to the report Graduating into Uncertainty: Unauthorized Immigrant Students in U.S. High Schools by Jeanne Batalova, the rollback of policies supporting in-state tuition has created significant barriers. Corinne Kentor, senior manager at the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, stated: "There's a fear about keeping programs and services that are particularly geared toward the immigrant-origin students available." With states like Florida and Texas repealing tuition access, the future for these students is increasingly uncertain, especially amid heightened immigration enforcement. Batalova noted that the current climate is affecting not just educational opportunities but also the mental health of students and their families.

Florida universities face enrollment shakeup

Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, R-Lakeland, has proposed a bill, HB 1279, aiming to limit out-of-state student enrollment at Florida's top public universities to 5%. Currently, the University of Florida (UF) has nearly 20% out-of-state enrollment. Jonsson stated: “Right now, too many seats go to out-of-state students while Floridians with the same or better performance metrics are overlooked.” The bill, which passed a committee vote 20 to 7, could result in a loss of $54m in the first year for the universities, raising concerns about budget impacts. Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, questioned the financial implications, noting that out-of-state students pay higher tuition. The bill currently lacks a Senate companion, leaving its future uncertain.

INTERNATIONAL

Manitoba teachers say 3.5% funding increase not enough to ease pressures

Manitoba has announced a 3.5% increase in school funding for the 2026–27 year, committing C$79.8m ($58.8m) in new money, including C$51m for operating costs and C$11.4m to help divisions manage the impact of teacher salary harmonization. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said the increase is above the province’s annual inflation rate and is intended to address uneven cost pressures across school divisions. School boards and teachers’ representatives, however, say the funding boost is insufficient to meet rising costs. The Manitoba Teachers’ Society said the increase does little to address years of underfunding, as schools face larger and more complex classrooms. Several divisions warned that salary increases alone exceed the new funding, forcing difficult budget choices and raising the likelihood of higher property taxes.
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