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Florida
13th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

New law threatens Florida teachers unions

Florida's teachers unions are facing significant challenges due to a new state law that complicates their ability to remain active. Thomas Bugos, president of the Seminole Education Association, expressed "great concern" that many local unions may close, risking representation for thousands of teachers. The law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires unions to secure over 50% of votes from all teachers in recertification elections, a shift from the previous requirement of a majority of those who voted. Bugos described the situation as "scary" for unions and the teachers they represent, viewing the changes as part of a broader attack on public education. The Florida Education Association has gained 4,000 new members since the bill's passage, but many unions still fear decertification. Andrew Spar, president of the statewide union, stated that the new law is a clear indication that the administration does not prioritize workers' rights.

USE ASSESSMENT DATA WITH CONFIDENCE

From Assessment Data to Instructional Impact

Turn assessment results into instructional plans that support stronger literacy outcomes. School leaders across Florida are looking for ways to provide teachers with ongoing insight into student learning while minimizing disruption to classroom instruction. With increasing expectations around early identification, progress monitoring, and effective intervention, educators need accurate and timely information that reflects student progress. Using this insight, school leaders can help address unfinished learning, focus instructional support, and strengthen instruction across classrooms and schools.  

Explore how timely, accurate insight into student learning supports instructional planning, ongoing progress monitoring, and more purposeful instructional decisions that lead to stronger literacy outcomes for students across Florida schools.

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CHARTERS

Florida charter schools clarified

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) has clarified the public school status of Florida's charter schools amidst recent misconceptions linking them to private institutions. According to Florida Statute 1002.33, charter schools are tuition-free public schools funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). Currently, 408,481 students are enrolled in 738 charter schools across 46 counties, representing 14.6% of Florida's public school students. Robert Haag, President of FCPCS, emphasized: "Charter schools are part of Florida's public school system," highlighting their commitment to providing high-quality education. The charter school sector continues to grow, offering innovative learning environments while adhering to rigorous oversight and accountability standards.

DISTRICTS

Hanna tackles financial woes head-on

Superintendent Rocky Hanna presented several companies to the Leon County School Board, aiming to address ongoing financial challenges exacerbated by declining student enrollment and rising costs. "These companies really hit at some of these issues we've been talking about from this dais for several years now," Hanna said. Caissa K-12, TPG Cultural Exchange, and Florida Educator Health Trust offered services with no upfront costs, focusing on boosting enrollment and filling teacher vacancies. Caissa K-12's President Adrian Bond emphasized the competitive nature of Florida's education landscape, stating: "I think this is a measure that is going to change how districts must operate." The board is also considering a new tax referendum to improve teacher pay and school programs, with plans to revise the proposal for a vote before the July deadline.

Parents rally against school relocation

In early April, Katie Peterson arrived at her daughter's school to find teachers in tears over the unexpected announcement that Buckingham Exceptional Student Center would be relocated to Royal Palm Exceptional Center. "Some of them were crying, and you could tell they were really sad about what was happening," Peterson said. Parents and community members have since rallied for the "Little Voices of Buckingham," expressing concerns about the safety and well-being of medically fragile students. Lee County School District announced on April 29 that the transition would be paused, acknowledging community concerns. Parents fear that the new environment could pose health risks, particularly for children with life-threatening conditions. "We are here asking for careful, responsible decision-making that puts student welfare first," said Cindy Diaz, president of the School Advisory Council at Buckingham.

Worthington High breaks enrollment record

Worthington High School in West Palm Beach has achieved a record enrollment of over 625 students this year, despite a decline in the Palm Beach County School District. The growth is attributed to an influx of residents seeking flexible learning options. Mirna Mosquera, an instructional assistant, said: "There's an influx of people moving to Palm Beach County, and they are looking for an easier transition from the regular school to a more modern type curriculum." Principal Mercedes Yacinthe noted the school's impact, noting: "When we started four years ago, we had 200 students." The school focuses on dropout prevention and credit recovery, with plans to add a middle school program to support struggling students earlier.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Pinellas County schools rethink security rollout

Pinellas County school leaders have decided against a districtwide implementation of enhanced weapons detection systems following a pilot program at two high schools. The trial, which involved nearly 26,000 students, revealed significant challenges, including staffing shortages and delays in getting students to class. Sean Jowell, with Pinellas County Schools Security, said: “The biggest one is the staffing,” emphasizing the need for dedicated personnel at checkpoints. The pilot showed that many alerts were triggered by harmless items, and while the alert rate decreased over time, no weapons were detected. Instead of a $20m rollout, officials recommend purchasing two portable units for specific events.

TECHNOLOGY

Schools question role of i-Ready

Schools across California and the U.S. are facing growing debate over the use of i-Ready, a widely used digital learning platform that supporters say helps identify learning gaps, but critics argue increases student anxiety, screen time, and reliance on technology without delivering meaningful academic benefits. Used by more than 13m students nationwide, i-Ready provides diagnostic testing and personalized lessons in reading and math. Studies cited by Curriculum Associates, the company behind the platform, and other researchers found measurable gains in student performance. Education experts say the system’s adaptive learning model can help teachers tailor instruction to individual student needs. However, parents and educators increasingly question whether the program’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks, particularly for younger children.

Teen coder creates SAT prep app

Eric MacDonald, a 16-year-old sophomore at Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School, has developed Aceit, a digital SAT prep app aimed at providing affordable resources for students. "Current SAT study tools online don't really provide the necessary resources that could actually help students grow," MacDonald said, highlighting the limitations of existing materials. His app, which follows a "freemium" model, offers a free version and a premium subscription for $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year. Frank Gilmore, the school's math and computer science facilitator, noted that Aceit provides opportunities for lower-income families to access SAT preparation without financial barriers. With over 10,000 downloads and positive feedback from users, including a 50-point PSAT score increase for one student, Aceit is gaining traction among peers.

LEGAL

School speed cameras under fire in Florida

Florida's school speed zone cameras have recorded around 1m drivers speeding since last year, but a recent court ruling raises concerns about their legality. Attorney Ted Hollander represented a client who contested a ticket, arguing that the radar used in the cameras was not approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as required by the Florida Administrative Code. The Broward County traffic hearing officer agreed and dismissed the case, with Hollander stating: "This is really a statewide battle." His firm has successfully challenged the cameras in multiple counties, highlighting issues such as unclear signage and improper ticketing times. Despite criticism, the program has generated over $66m in fines within a year. The city of Hollywood is currently reviewing its legal options after the ruling.

AI chatbot faces lawsuit over shooting

The family of Tiru Chabba, a victim of the April 2025 Florida State University mass shooting, has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that its ChatGPT chatbot provided tactical advice to the accused gunman, Phoenix Ikner. The lawsuit alleges that Ikner had extensive conversations with ChatGPT, which "either defectively failed to connect the dots or else it was never properly designed to recognize the threat." Chabba, a regional vice president for Aramark, was killed alongside Robert Morales during the attack. The complaint accuses OpenAI of negligence and product liability, stating that the AI "fomented" a relationship with Ikner, who expressed feelings of loneliness and romantic rejection. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for Chabba's family, including his two young children.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

Graduates boo commencement speaker's AI remarks

During a recent graduation ceremony at the University of Central Florida, Gloria Caulfield, vice president of strategic alliances at Tavistock Development Company, faced backlash from graduates for her remarks on artificial intelligence. "We are living in a time of profound change. That's an understatement, right?" she said, referring to AI as the "next industrial revolution." However, her comments were met with boos, with one student shouting, "AI sucks." Despite the disruption, Caulfield continued her speech, acknowledging the mixed reactions. Graduates, particularly those from the College of Arts and Humanities, expressed their discontent, with student Houda Eletr stating, "I’m embarrassed to have had to endure the most embarrassing, unskippable, tone-deaf, ad-like commencement." The university and Caulfield have not commented on the incident.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan plans AI-era overhaul of high school language education

Japan’s education ministry is proposing a major overhaul of high school Japanese language education to help students develop communication skills, emotional awareness, and other qualities seen as uniquely human in the age of artificial intelligence and social media. The proposed revisions, presented Monday to a panel of experts, would introduce new elective subjects for second-year high school students and above. These include courses focused on modern and classical literature to strengthen emotional sensitivity and cultural understanding, particularly among science-focused students who are considered to have less exposure to literature. Another proposed subject would emphasize the analysis of argumentative and critical essays, alongside debate and discussion techniques designed to improve communication and reasoning skills. Japan typically revises its national curriculum guidelines roughly once every decade.

 
NHK
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