Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Florida
11th March 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Florida bill sparks charter school fears

Florida's SB 824, recently passed by the House on an 84-27 vote, mandates that school districts document their vacant land and its value. Rep. Danny Nix Jr., the bill's sponsor, emphasized the need for transparency, stating: “We’ve had people in our community that have come through … that said, ‘We’d like to know what the school owns because they’re sitting on a lot of property.’” However, Democrats have expressed concerns that this could lead to charter schools gaining access to unused public school land, as seen in previous legislation. Rep. Kelly Skidmore voiced apprehension, saying: “That is the fear … that is the actual intent of having this inventory.” The bill requires districts to report on their vacant land by December 1 and every three years thereafter, but critics argue that the lack of context regarding land use diminishes the report's value. Marquise McMiller from Orange County Public Schools noted that unused land is often reserved for future growth.

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.

 

STATE NEWS

Florida schools boost coach pay

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill allowing high school booster clubs to directly compensate coaches, aiming to enhance pay competitiveness with neighboring states. Supporters, including Reps. Shane Abbott and Adam Anderson, argue this will help public schools attract talent for extracurricular activities like football and theater. However, concerns arise about potential pay disparities between affluent and less wealthy schools. Gov. Ron DeSantis has shown support for the measure, which received backing from notable figures like former FSU coach Jimbo Fisher. The bill, which cleared the Senate unanimously, was approved in the House with a 104–6 vote on March 9.

NATIONAL NEWS

Pandemic’s youngest learners still lag

New NWEA data shows first and second graders continue to score below pre-pandemic peers in math and reading, even though many were infants or not yet born when COVID-19 began. Math scores have improved gradually, but reading has remained flat, suggesting broader social and developmental factors beyond classroom disruption. Megan Kuhfeld, a researcher at NWEA, said, “there’s something kind of systemic here happening ... within schools and outside of schools.” Districts are responding with phonics instruction, literacy assessments, and early interventions, while some states are expanding pre-kindergarten access.

WORKFORCE

Broward County schools to cut jobs

The Broward County School Board has voted to instruct Superintendent Howard Hepburn to create a plan to eliminate up to 3,000 jobs over the next three years, addressing the district's financial crisis due to declining student enrollment. Board member Jeff Holness emphasized the need for these cuts, which would save approximately $250m, stating: “This is to make up for 10 years of not doing this year by year by year.” The plan includes cutting 1,000 positions in the first year and between 500 and 1,000 in the subsequent years. While the board assured that teachers would not be affected, Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, expressed skepticism about the impact on teaching staff. The district is currently facing a $90m budget shortfall and is also considering closing underenrolled schools as part of its cost-saving measures.

Teachers union strikes deal on pay

The Leon County School Board and the Leon Classroom Teachers Association have reached a tentative agreement on a $2.3m salary package, which includes parental leave and free childcare for employees. This agreement follows a lengthy negotiation process that included a declaration of impasse over salary issues. LCTA President Scott Mazur said, "It's important to recognize the immense work that was done by the LCTA bargaining unit and LCS to achieve this tentative agreement." The union's ratification vote will occur after spring break, and the board must also approve the deal before implementation.

DISTRICTS

School closures spark heated debate

During a recent joint meeting, the Gainesville City Commission and Alachua County Commission discussed the Alachua County Public Schools' proposed rezoning map, which could lead to the closure of four elementary schools and the conversion of three middle schools into K-8 institutions. Interim Alachua County Superintendent Kamela Patton said the district is adapting to a changing educational landscape, citing "lower birth rates, limited funding, and students moving to charter, private, or homeschooling options." The plan aims to save $4.4m annually and address overcrowding. After public feedback, the district now recommends keeping Duval and Rawlings open while closing Irby, Foster, Alachua, and Williams. The Alachua County School Board is set to vote on the final rezoning map on tomorrow.

School closures loom for seven schools

After extensive discussions, the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) board is set to vote on the closure of six elementary schools and one middle school. The affected schools include Union Park Middle School and several elementary schools. OCPS leaders cite declining student enrollment, the rise of state-funded private school vouchers, and lower birth rates as key reasons for the closures. With a loss of over 5,600 students, the district has seen a reduction of more than $41m in state funding this year. However, the closures could save the district approximately $10m.

Jupiter Christian School's bold expansion plan

Jupiter Christian School is proposing a new $68m campus on a 38-acre site to accommodate increasing enrollment driven by the state's school voucher program. Currently, the school has 1,100 students and a waiting list of 700.

Broward County celebrates rising test scores

Broward County is celebrating a 5% increase in scores on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) exam, a positive development amid fiscal challenges and declining enrollment. The results indicate that over the past three years, 25,000 students who were previously below grade level are now at or above grade level, according to school board member Dr. Allen Zeman.

TECHNOLOGY

High schools face rapid changes

The rise of AI and evolving technology is pushing traditional high schools to adapt, as highlighted in the XQ Institute's report, The Future Is High School. The report emphasizes the need for schools to foster critical thinking and provide students with real-world experiences, such as internships and college courses. "We need to be critical thinkers," said XQ chief executive Russlynn Ali, stressing the importance of adaptability and collaboration skills alongside traditional academics. While 46 states have made progress in offering work experience as credit, no state has fully met all ten innovation goals set by XQ. The organization plans to track progress and encourage states to adopt these goals, with Ali noting: "I think of these as a start, definitely not a finish line."

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Research reveals students spend a third of school day on their phones

According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, middle and high school students spend over two hours of their school day on smartphones, checking their devices an average of 64 times. Lead researcher Eva Telzer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said: "Smartphones are no longer something students use occasionally during school, they're present during every hour of the day." The study found that frequent phone checking is linked to diminished attention and impulse control, which are essential for academic success. Senior researcher Kaitlyn Burnell noted that social media and entertainment account for over 70% of students' screen time during school hours. The findings suggest that implementing policies to limit smartphone access during instructional time may enhance students' focus and engagement.

GOVERNANCE

DiCicco's campaign puts students first

Frank DiCicco has launched a “students-first” campaign for the Sarasota County School Board, emphasizing transparency, teacher support, and rebuilding public trust. Running against Scarlett Maria Hess and Megan Tennimon for the District 4 seat, DiCicco stated: “Our job is simple: do everything in our power to help students learn and grow.” He aims to improve communication between the board and the community while prioritizing high-quality teachers and safe school campuses.

Lyssy enters school board race

Brittany Lyssy, a lawyer and public policy professional, has announced her candidacy for the Hillsborough County School Board, District 2, aiming to succeed incumbent Stacy Hahn. Lyssy advocates for strong literacy and academic fundamentals, stating that the board's decisions will shape future classrooms.

INTERNATIONAL

Lawsuit targets OpenAI’s safety measures after Canada school shooting

The family of Maya Gebala, a 12-year-old critically injured in the February 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company failed to alert authorities despite internal warnings about the suspect’s activity on ChatGPT. According to the claim, the 18-year-old suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, used two ChatGPT accounts to discuss violent scenarios in the days leading up to the attack, with OpenAI’s monitoring system reportedly flagging the messages and about 12 employees identifying them as posing an “imminent risk of serious harm.” The lawsuit alleges leadership declined staff recommendations to notify law enforcement and instead only banned the first account, after which the suspect created another account and continued discussing plans for mass violence. The shooting left eight people dead, including a teacher and five students, and more than two dozen injured; Gebala was shot three times and suffered a traumatic brain injury and permanent disabilities. Her family is seeking damages, accusing OpenAI of negligence and inadequate safeguards.

Alberta pulls library titles

Alberta school boards have removed at least 166 books, mostly graphic novels, from school libraries after a provincial order required materials depicting explicit sexual acts to be taken out of student access. The move has swept in illustrated classics and books on art, philosophy, gender identity, and memoir. Critics argue the policy amounts to censorship and ignores educational context, while supporters say it is a reasonable way to ensure school libraries offer age-appropriate materials and protect minors from graphic content.

AND FINALLY...

Honks, hisses, campus chaos

Canada geese are exhibiting aggressive behavior on Florida A&M University's campus due to their nesting season, prompting the university to take action. "In support of maintaining a safe campus environment, FAMU Department of Plant Operations and Maintenance is executing a Canada Goose Depredation (Take) Permit," the university stated. Viral social media videos show students encountering aggressive geese, with one student even attacked while trying to pass by. The university has identified two nesting sites in high-traffic areas and has removed 33 eggs to relocate them to a nearby lake. To ensure safety, FAMU advises students to avoid feeding the geese, maintain distance from nesting areas, and stay calm during encounters. The situation highlights ongoing issues with aggressive geese in the area, reminiscent of past incidents at the Capital Circle Office Complex.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe