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Florida
9th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida lawmakers clash over vaccine rules

Florida is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with 124 reported cases this year, primarily affecting young adults aged 15 to 24. The Florida Department of Health reported that Collier County has seen a surge in cases, particularly among students at Ave Maria University. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has advocated for easing vaccine requirements, with two Republican bills in the legislature aiming to provide parents more exemptions from immunization mandates. The Senate bill, SB 1756, would allow students to attend school for up to 30 days without vaccination documentation, while the House bill, HB 917, would prevent discrimination against unvaccinated children in healthcare settings. "When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity," the CDC stated.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS BEFORE THEY NEED IT

Why Great Teachers Don’t Guess When It Comes to Support

Ever feel like you’re part detective, part reading coach, and part superhero? You’re not alone. Teachers everywhere are asking, “Where exactly does this student need support?” and “How do I find it fast?” — because those answers unlock real progress.

Whether it’s helping a kindergartner decode their first sight words or guiding a 10th grader through complex text, pinpointing what a student really needs makes all the difference.  

Great instruction shouldn’t feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. High-quality instructional resources grounded in the Science of Reading make supporting students your superpower.   

Hear from Leading Experts on the Evidence-Based Practices That Support Your Instruction and Advance Student Achievement.

 

SAFETY & SECURITY

Students demand action on gun violence

In response to the recent tragic shooting that claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, students in Broward County organized protests demanding an end to gun violence. At South Broward High School, students held signs urging political leaders to take action on gun control. Criticism was directed at President Donald Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has faced a backlash for accepting over $3.3m from the National Rifle Association. The Twitter page "Student Walkout Against Gun Violence" is calling for a nationwide walkout next week, stating: "We do this for the 17 people who will never be able to say their last 'I love you' to their families." Rubio acknowledged the need for debate on the issue but emphasized the limitations of legislative power, saying: “If someone has decided, ‘I'm going to commit this crime,' they will find a way to get the gun to do it.”

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Parents demand action on insurance crisis

Broward County parents are urging state regulators and legislators to intervene in a contract dispute between Florida Blue and local public hospital systems, which has left many children without access to necessary pediatric care. The dispute has affected around 60,000 Florida Blue policyholders, with negotiations currently stalled. Both Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System are seeking increased reimbursement rates from Florida Blue, which they argue do not cover rising care costs. Meanwhile, parents face tough choices, including paying out-of-network costs or traveling long distances for care. Health policy researcher Jason Buxbaum noted that such disputes are becoming more common nationwide, emphasizing the need for regulatory intervention to resolve these issues.

DISTRICTS

Broward students excel despite budget woes

Broward County students have shown a strong improvement in state exam results, surpassing the statewide average in both math and English. The latest data from the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) indicates a positive trend, with fourth and fifth graders in English Language Arts seeing an 8% increase in passing rates since 2024. Despite these academic gains, Broward County Public Schools faces significant financial challenges, including a $94m budget deficit and 50,000 empty seats. Board member Allen Zeman highlighted that 25,000 students progressed to grade level, calling it “a heroic number.” However, disparities remain among racial and ethnic groups, with white students achieving the highest passing rates.

Graduation rates soar in Volusia

During the State of our Schools event, Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin announced impressive achievements for Volusia County Schools, including a 95.6% graduation rate, ranking in the top 10 statewide. The district also reported a 73.8% college and career acceleration rate and over 4,600 industry certifications earned this school year. Notably, all schools received A, B, or C grades, with no D or F rated schools for the first time since 2008.

EARLY EDUCATION

Boosting kindergarten readiness in Leon County

Leon County Schools is making significant investments in early learning to enhance kindergarten readiness rates, which have recently declined according to the Florida Department of Education. The District's Early Learning Campus features upgraded facilities, including outdoor play areas and a sensory room. Keke Bonner, Childcare Center Director, noted: "You'll hear them speak and you'll hear them say things you wouldn't typically hear in an environment when they're in the classroom." With 90% of brain development occurring between birth and age five, Brooke Brunner, Director of Early Learning, emphasized the importance of early literacy investments. Superintendent Rocky Hanna highlighted the broader community impact, saying: "If we can bring kindergarten readiness numbers from the 50s to the 70s or 80s, it's only gonna help improve our third grade reading scores."

WORKFORCE

Virtual teaching draws working mothers

Natalia Berrios left classroom teaching for remote instruction six years ago, saying working from home became “pretty nonnegotiable” after having children. Now she tutors students across multiple states and teaches ESL online, balancing work with family care during events like snow-day closures. The story connects her experience to broader findings that teachers, especially mothers, face heavier caregiving burdens and less job flexibility than similar professionals. Berrios said the biggest benefit is avoiding “the time, effort, and money” of commuting while still building strong one-on-one relationships with students.

New principals take charge in Bay District

Todd Mitchell and Michelle Good have been appointed as new principals for Arnold High School and Deer Point Elementary, respectively, by Bay District Schools. Mitchell, currently the principal of Rutherford High School, will succeed the retiring Britt Smith at Arnold. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and has been in education since 2009. Good, who is the current principal of Callaway Elementary, will transition to Deer Point Elementary.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

TSC launches $3.6m innovation hub

Tallahassee State College has inaugurated a $3.6m Innovation Hub, funded by the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant, to enhance students' hands-on tech experience and workforce readiness. Dr. Calandra Stringer, provost and vice president for academic affairs, noted that the hub represents a significant advancement for the college, enhancing innovation and technology.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Waymo school bus probe expands

Federal investigators are examining whether Waymo’s automated vehicles safely respond to stopped school buses after a January 2026 incident in Austin, Texas, where a driverless Jaguar I-Pace passed a bus with red lights flashing and stop arms extended. Investigators say the vehicle initially stopped, then moved ahead after a remote assistance agent incorrectly answered “No” to a prompt asking whether the bus had active signals. The case is part of a broader probe into repeated stop-arm violations involving Waymo vehicles and school buses in Austin.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea targets AI deepfakes ahead of June education vote

South Korea is moving to ban the use of deepfake content in local education superintendent elections, extending existing election laws that already restrict AI-generated media in other political contests. Under the proposed amendment, producing or using deepfakes within 90 days of an election could lead to up to seven years in prison or fines of 10m–50m won ($6,700 - $33,500), as authorities seek to prevent misinformation ahead of the 3 June 2026 elections. The move follows controversy over an artificial intelligence-generated campaign video posted by a candidate, which sparked criticism and renewed concerns about the influence of manipulated media on election fairness.
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