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Florida
8th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Court strikes down Florida's Stop WOKE Act

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ruled against parts of Florida's Stop WOKE Act, deeming it an unconstitutional infringement on academic freedom. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the law, which restricted discussions on race and bias in higher education, represented a "breathtaking assertion of power." Judge Britt Grant emphasized that "hearing an idea you disagree with is not discrimination; it is an opportunity to come up with a better idea." The law, part of Gov.r Ron DeSantis' agenda, had forced educators to alter their curricula, with penalties for non-compliance. The American Civil Liberties Union praised the ruling, asserting that it protects the right to free and open discourse in education. LeRoy Pernell, a lead plaintiff in the case, noted that the decision allows students to engage with critical issues without censorship. The ruling marks a significant precedent against academic censorship laws in the U.S.

STATE NEWS

Court strikes down speech law

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Florida's law limiting race-based training violates the First Amendment rights of students and professors. Judge Britt Grant stated that the law would "create a new rule that would quietly remove all free speech protections from the classroom." This decision follows years of legal battles since the law, known as HB 7, was enacted in 2022 by Governor Ron DeSantis to combat "woke" ideologies. The ruling is seen as a setback for DeSantis, who has been a vocal opponent of critical race theory. Greg Greubel, an attorney representing the students, emphasized that the ruling indicates Florida must "think twice about placing any kind of viewpoint discriminatory restrictions on teaching in higher education." The case may now return to federal district court or be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

NATIONAL NEWS

Half of Americans back Ten Commandments

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 50% of Americans support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, with 48% opposing it. "It's so striking that there's a 50-50 split," said Chip Rotolo, the survey's lead author. Support is notably higher in the southern U.S., where 57% favor the display. In Texas, Senate Bill 10 mandates that public schools display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a law recently upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Proponents argue it reflects America's heritage, while opponents claim it violates the First Amendment. Support is strongest among white evangelical Protestants at 83%, while Democrats largely oppose the measure. The survey also explored views on prayer in schools, revealing that while many support voluntary student-led prayer, few believe it should be mandatory.

DISTRICTS

South Florida schools shine with A ratings

South Florida school districts have once again achieved A ratings, as revealed by the Florida Department of Education. Palm Beach and Broward counties maintained their A ratings for the third consecutive year, while Miami-Dade County celebrated its seventh A rating since 2018. The state’s grading system evaluates districts based on student performance, graduation rates, and advanced coursework. Notably, 76% of Florida’s traditional public schools received A or B ratings, an increase from 71% last year. “While charter school students continue to outperform, it is evident that competition is creating a better product for our traditional public school students,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. Miami-Dade Superintendent Jose Dotres emphasized the district's commitment to excellence, stating: “We have the best product to offer.” Despite financial challenges, the districts are determined to maintain their success.

Gadsden schools soar in grades

Gadsden County Schools are experiencing notable academic improvements, as reflected in the latest Florida school grades. Chattahoochee Elementary advanced from a "D" to a "B," and West Gadsden improved from a "D" to a "C." Zola Akeins, principal of Chattahoochee Elementary, said: "Our theme was to make sure we touched every single student," emphasizing the focus on individual student needs. The district also reported higher scores in English language arts, math, science, and graduation rates. Looking ahead, Assistant Superintendent for Academics Lisa Robinson stated: "It's not just a one blanket that works for everyone," highlighting the importance of data-driven decisions. The district aims to raise all schools to at least a "C" grade and is committed to providing additional support where needed, particularly in improving third-grade reading performance at Greensboro Elementary.

Bay District Schools nearly earns a grade

Bay District Schools has announced that it finished the 2025-26 school year just one point shy of achieving an A grade on the Florida Department of Education's updated grading scale. Superintendent Mark McQueen expressed pride in the district's progress, stating: "These results represent the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, the leadership of our principals, and the unwavering support of our families and community." The district received a B grade for the 10th consecutive year, with 11 schools improving by at least one letter grade. Notably, ten schools earned A grades, while six maintained their A status.  

Collier County Schools shine again

Collier County Public Schools has defended its sixth place ranking among Florida's 67 school districts, achieving an A grade for the ninth consecutive year. The district improved by 24 points from the previous year, with eight out of twelve categories showing progress. Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli praised the community's efforts, stating, "Our theme for the 2025-26 school year was The Power of We, and these results are a testament to what is possible when an entire community works together on behalf of children." Overall, 34 districts received A grades, with Collier County standing out for its performance among comparable districts.

WORKFORCE

Union survives close recertification vote

The United Teachers of Dade union has managed to survive another year despite falling short of the 50% recertification voter participation threshold mandated by a new law. A spokesperson for the union said that the threshold did not apply to this election since the process began before the law took effect on July 1. Although 96.7% of the 10,986 employees who voted supported the union, only 49.5% participated, leaving them 142 votes shy of the required threshold. The recent law, Senate Bill 1296, is part of ongoing efforts by the Florida Legislature to impose stricter regulations on public sector unions, excluding public safety employees.

TECHNOLOGY

Teachers, meet your new AI assistants

The average K-12 teacher works 49 hours a week, with a significant portion being uncompensated. Many teachers did not enter the profession to spend their evenings on administrative tasks. AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini can help alleviate some of this burden, allowing teachers to focus on creativity and engagement. According to a 2023 RAND Corporation survey, only 24% of teachers reported satisfaction with their weekly hours, and 66% felt their salaries were inadequate. While AI cannot address compensation issues, it can enhance work-life balance and improve teaching quality. "Knowing how to use prompts effectively can mean the difference between AI that's actually helpful and AI that's gimmicky," the article states. The piece also provides practical prompts for teachers to utilize AI effectively in their classrooms.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Electric bikes under scrutiny in schools

The Orange County School Board is grappling with a proposal to regulate electric bikes and scooters, which are increasingly popular among students. Safety concerns have prompted district staff to recommend prohibiting these vehicles on elementary school campuses, requiring permits for middle and high school students, and banning the fastest e-bikes. Board members are divided, with some advocating for an outright ban due to safety issues, while others believe regulation should be handled at the city and county level.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Volunteers pack 36,000 backpacks

In Palm Beach County, volunteers are assembling over 36,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for local students ahead of the 2026-27 school year, according to the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County. These backpacks will be distributed to students at 55 Title I schools, ensuring they start the year equipped with necessary items. The initiative, part of the Red Apple Supplies program, has seen a significant increase in demand since its inception eight years ago, growing from fewer than 4,000 backpacks. Currently, nearly 40,000 children in the area live below the poverty line, and many would otherwise lack basic supplies.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Kamoutsas takes charge at Polk State

Anastasios Kamoutsas has officially taken over as president of Polk State College after serving as Florida's education commissioner. He will earn a base salary of $375,000, with potential bonuses of up to $70,000, totaling up to $2.45m over five years. Kamoutsas, who previously worked as a deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis, is part of a trend where DeSantis allies are assuming leadership roles in Florida's higher education institutions. "Once upon a time, college students were encouraged to be free-thinkers," said Scott Maxwell, commenting on the current educational climate. Meanwhile, Paul Burns has been appointed interim commissioner of the Department of Education during the search for Kamoutsas' successor.

INTERNATIONAL

Vertical campuses gain momentum in Australia as educators rethink school design

As Australia's growing cities make large school campuses increasingly difficult to build, educators are embracing multi-story "vertical schools" that prioritize flexible learning spaces, stronger community connections, and innovative teaching methods. A decade after opening Melbourne's first vertical school, Haileybury City says its design has encouraged greater interaction between students of different ages, while replacing traditional features such as school bells with practices intended to prepare students for university and the workplace. Education leaders argue that the success of vertical schools depends less on architecture than on creating a strong culture of belonging. Purpose-built smaller communities, adaptable learning environments, natural light, and intentional relationship-building are seen as essential to ensuring students feel connected within multi-level campuses. Schools are also making greater use of partnerships with museums, arts organizations, charities, and local businesses to extend learning beyond the classroom.
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