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Florida
6th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida's new stance on religious funding

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state will not enforce its constitutional ban on public funding for religious institutions, claiming it violates the First Amendment. Uthmeier, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, said: “Unfortunately, some Florida laws prohibit religious schools from accessing public funds. That's why during this Holy Week I issued a formal legal opinion concluding those laws are unconstitutional.” This opinion could pave the way for religious charter schools and state-funded scholarships for religious universities. Uthmeier argues that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment only restricts the federal government, allowing states to promote religion, particularly Christianity.

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FINANCE

Florida school exploits voucher loophole

A Florida-based virtual school, NFC Academy, has become the first out-of-state institution approved for Texas' private school voucher program, despite laws intended to prevent such participation. The Texas Comptroller's office approved the academy on March 13, allowing it to receive taxpayer funds from the state's $1bn program. Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency, raised concerns, asking: “Who's benefiting: private entities or the Texas public?” The academy applied as a vendor rather than a traditional school, which may exploit a loophole in the law. While NFC Academy is registered to do business in Texas, it remains unclear if it meets all requirements, including having a physical office with Texas employees.

NATIONAL NEWS

Utah mandates Bible study in schools

Utah has enacted a law requiring students in grades 3-12 to study specific Bible passages and stories that influenced American political thought, starting in the 2028-29 school year. Governor Spencer Cox stated: “It’s about understanding history and the things that influence people,” emphasizing the educational intent behind the law. This move aligns Utah with other states that have integrated Christian teachings into K-12 education, although it is distinct in being codified into law. Critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue that this approach risks blurring the line between education and religious endorsement. Mark Chancey, a professor at Southern Methodist University, noted that the law reflects a growing trend influenced by Christian nationalism within the Republican Party. The operationalization of this mandate remains to be seen, as state board members have yet to determine which specific Bible passages will be included in the curriculum.

STATE NEWS

Bill shakes up Florida unions

Florida's Senate Bill 1296, set to take effect on July 1, raises the threshold for public sector union recertification to 50%. This means that half of all employees in a bargaining unit must vote in favor of the union for it to maintain its status. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas supports the Bill, emphasizing the need for unions to show "meaningful support from their educators" before gaining exclusive bargaining rights. He criticized unions for delaying teacher salary increases. However, Scott Mazur, President of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, argues that the Bill aims to control and eliminate worker representation.

Unlocking public data

The DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University has launched a redesigned Florida Open Gov website, providing free access to public data on education, payroll, and state spending. Dr. Samuel Staley, the Director of the Institute, said: "The students took the initiative to do the redesign, to clean the data, and to think about the ways that that data can be presented through various visualizations." The platform aims to simplify complex data for parents, teachers, and researchers, making it more accessible.

WORKFORCE

Google launches AI training for educators

Google, in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, is launching a free AI educator training series aimed at K–12 and higher education, reflecting growing demand for practical AI skills, classroom-ready tools, and structured digital training. The program, available from May, offers short, flexible modules focused on foundational AI knowledge, teaching applications, and administrative use, with sessions tailored to fit educators’ workflows and leading to micro-credentials. It emphasizes hands-on use of tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM, supporting tasks like lesson planning, student engagement, and reducing administrative workloads. The initiative highlights a broader shift in education toward applied AI use, personalized learning, and workforce readiness, as well as ongoing gaps in educator confidence around responsible AI adoption.

DISTRICTS

New rules for absent students

Chronically absent students and their families are now facing stricter consequences for missing school. The West Pasco Judicial Center has scheduled truancy court for March 13, 2026, indicating a significant shift in how absenteeism is addressed. The new measures aim to hold families accountable and encourage regular attendance, reflecting a growing concern over the impact of chronic absenteeism on students' education. "Families will need to navigate these new rules," said Solochek, emphasizing the importance of school attendance for student success.

Nikolajski: A beacon of hope

Shanda Nikolajski, Belleview Middle School’s 8th grade student counselor and former classroom teacher, was named an Ocala Star-Banner/Florida Credit Union Amazing Teacher of the Month. A Marion County native, she spent 20 years teaching before becoming a licensed mental health counselor to better support students facing homelessness, abuse, grief, and attendance challenges. The mother of one student she helped said: “Mrs. Nikolajski immediately stepped up and helped Jonathan in a major way,” praising her daily check-ins, advocacy with staff, and efforts to help him return to school and catch up academically.

INTERNATIONAL

UAE School Ethics Questions

The Daily Telegraph reports that private schools in the United Arab Emirates, run by top British independent schools, are required to provide mandatory morality lessons to all pupils, with Muslim pupils required to receive additional lessons on subjects like dealing with "rebellious" wives. Morality lessons, the paper reports, include state propaganda about how the UAE "empowers women" and "ranks first in terms of peaceful co-existence". Analysis carried out by the paper suggests that top British private schools have "funnelled almost £79m ($105m)" back to the U.K. from overseas campuses tax-free using Gift Aid, much of it originating in the Middle East.

AND FINALLY...

A note that left a mark

In a touching story shared by Luke Hales, a Texas teacher with over 20 years of experience, he recounted an emotional reunion with a former student named Ava. During their meeting, Ava revealed she had tattooed a message from a post-it note Hales wrote her during a tough time, saying: "You OK, kiddo?" This revelation left Hales feeling humbled, as he had no idea of the struggles she faced. The post quickly gained traction online, amassing over 679,000 views and inspiring others to share their own stories of impactful teachers. Hales emphasized that teaching is about building relationships, stating: "You have to earn the students' respect and trust before they'll open up enough to learn." This viral moment serves as a reminder of the profound, often unrecognized influence teachers can have on their students' lives.
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