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Florida
3rd March 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida expands teacher mentorship

Florida is on the verge of passing SB 182, aimed at enhancing teacher training and mentorship in public and charter schools. Sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones, the bill has received unanimous support in committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. The proposed "School Teacher Training and Mentorship Program" would allow experienced or retired teachers to mentor those in schools with "D" or "F" grades. “The purpose of this program is to increase the effectiveness (and) implementation of best practices of classroom teachers and improve student achievement,” Jones said. Mentors, who must have at least three years of experience and a "highly effective" rating, would receive stipends of up to $3,000. The program aims to foster better classroom management and student performance, with funding potentially sourced from the Educational Enrichment Allocation. If passed, the bill could take effect on July 1.

STATE NEWS

Florida teachers fight back against bill

Florida lawmakers are advancing Senate Bill 1296, which imposes stricter regulations on public employee unions, prompting significant backlash from union members, particularly teachers in Leon County. Carol Hurst, a third-grade teacher, emphasized the importance of union representation for workplace safety and salary advocacy, asserting: "I need somebody to advocate for the salaries." Scott Mazur, President of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, criticized the bill for detracting from efforts to improve affordability and resources in public schools. Supporters, including State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, argue the legislation aims to enhance accountability and oversight of unions. However, opponents claim it may be unconstitutional, a point contested by State Sen. John Martin, who said: "Bargaining groups were not part of the 14th Amendment." The debate continues as union members rally against the proposed changes.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ed. Dept. seeks state-driven overhaul of Comprehensive Centers Program

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed revamping its longstanding Comprehensive Centers program, calling its current structure “duplicative,” “confusing,” and insufficiently responsive to state and local needs. The program, which uses regional and national contractors to provide technical assistance to states and school districts, would be restructured to give state and local leaders greater influence over priorities. A key proposal includes creating a new national center offering “concierge-style” support to help educators navigate technical assistance and connect with relevant organizations. Under the new model, nationally focused centers would determine their areas of emphasis based on feedback from state and local education officials, rather than having priorities set by the department. Recent focus areas under existing contracts, awarded in 2024, have included teacher shortages, fiscal equity, and multilingual education. The department also signaled it may terminate current contracts, which run through 2029, to launch a new competition aligned with the redesigned framework. The proposed changes are tied to the Trump administration’s broader push to “return education to the states.” A 30-day public comment period will follow before final decisions are made.

SCOTUS strikes down California protections for transgender student privacy

The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a San Diego judge's order affirming parents' rights to be informed about their child's gender identity at school. In a 6-3 decision, the Court granted an emergency appeal from the Thomas More Society, which argued that California's student privacy policy infringes on parental rights and religious freedoms. The Court said: "Parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence." The ruling specifically addresses parents who object to the policies or seek religious exemptions. Mark Rienzi, president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, emphasized the importance of parental involvement, commenting: "Parents' fundamental right to raise their children according to their faith doesn't stop at the schoolhouse door." The decision marks a significant moment for parental rights in the U.S.

WORKFORCE

Teachers’ side hustles surge

A Gallup survey with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Walton Family Foundation found 71% of public school teachers have at least one side job, often during the school year, and many are unrelated to education. Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said: “It’s shocking to see how many teachers work in second jobs,” warning financial strain fuels burnout and worsens shortages.

 
CNN

GOVERNANCE

Lee County school board faces audit clock

The Lee County School Board is under pressure to respond to a state audit that highlighted significant issues, including delayed misconduct reporting and an unauthorized severance payment of $78,110 to a former superintendent. District spokesperson Rob Spicker commented: "We are at the beginning of a 45-day period for staff to develop their response action plan," emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The audit also revealed that the district failed to report ineligible employees to the state's disqualification list within the required 48-hour window, with some cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct with students. In response, the district has reorganized its internal structure to improve oversight. The operational audit identified seven findings, including excessive access to payroll systems and incomplete emergency drills.

Bostock aims for Pinellas School Board

Nancy Bostock, a former Pinellas County School Board member, is campaigning to return to the Board in District 6, receiving endorsements from nearly all Republicans and the only Democrat on the Pinellas County Commission. Bostock is running to succeed incumbent Stephanie Meyer, who opted not to seek re-election after her first term.

DISTRICTS

Madison County teachers face backlash

The Madison County School Board convened at a new venue due to rising community anger over two teachers accused of using racial slurs in the classroom. The meeting took place at Madison County High School Gymnasium, accommodating expected larger attendance following viral social media posts. One incident involves a student reporting a history teacher using the N-word, while another teacher is under formal investigation for a separate racial slur. Superintendent Dr. Karen Pickles stated that such language is "unacceptable" and contradicts the district's core values. However, district officials noted that state law restricts the release of further details due to the personnel nature of the matters.

FINANCE

Funding woes hit Monroe County Schools

During a recent meeting, the Monroe County School Board expressed concerns about reduced state funding for schools, which is linked to anticipated declines in student enrollment. Deanna Martinez from the district's career and technical education department emphasized the importance of unity, stating: “One Team, One Goal has shown us what's possible when an entire district rallies behind its students. We are not waiting for change; we are creating it.” Additionally, the board discussed a proposal for $6m in upgrades to the baseball field at Islamorada Founders Park, which has sparked discussions regarding a licensing agreement with the village.

EARLY EDUCATION

Early kindergarten drive in Pinellas

School leaders in Pinellas County are actively encouraging families to register their children for kindergarten early. The county has seen a decline in kindergarten enrollment, dropping from 81% in 1995 to 68% this year.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon cuts academic ties with elite universities and think tanks

The Pentagon is severing or limiting academic ties with nearly two dozen prominent universities and several major think tanks, citing concerns about “liberal ideologies” and what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “anti-American values” and “wokeness.” Beginning in September, service members will be barred from attending certain graduate programs and fellowships at institutions including Harvard (previously banned), MIT, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, and others. The Defense Department is also restricting ties with leading Washington think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, the Atlantic Council, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Currently, 93 military students are enrolled in graduate-level programs at the affected institutions, with the largest group at Harvard. Many of the programs focus on national and international security for mid- and senior-level officers. The department said it is considering shifting military education partnerships to state universities and conservative institutions such as Liberty University and Hillsdale College. The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to reshape higher education and return education policy authority to the states, according to officials. 

INTERNATIONAL

First Lady chairs UN Security Council meeting on children in conflict

First Lady Melania Trump chaired a United Nations Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict, marking the first time a spouse of a serving world leader has presided over the 15-member body. The session came days after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran heightened tensions in the Middle East. The meeting, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” aimed to emphasize education as a pathway to peace and tolerance. Melania Trump expressed support for youngsters affected by war, adding: "The U.S. stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours."

Australia: School-based health services shown to boost wellbeing and attendance

A new review by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has found that school-based health and allied health programs can improve student wellbeing, attendance and, in some cases, academic performance — particularly for students in disadvantaged communities. Drawing on broader research, including a 2025 University of South Australia study that linked structured exercise to reduced anxiety and depression, the report highlights the benefits of initiatives such as on-site health centres, counselling, psychology, and nursing services. However, it notes that universal mental health programs show less consistent impact on academic outcomes, especially when not delivered by qualified professionals. The review stresses that success depends on stable funding, adequate workforce capacity, strong partnerships, and careful implementation. It also calls for more Australian-based research, particularly in low socio-economic and remote school settings, including the potential role of telehealth. AERO chief executive Dr Jenny Donovan said the findings provide a starting point for further policy discussion, emphasising that reducing health-related barriers allows teachers to focus more effectively on instruction and planning.
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