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U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis' policies during her speech at the Democratic National Convention, asserting that Florida serves as a "cautionary tale." She stated, “From the classroom to the emergency room, Gov. DeSantis turned Florida into a testing ground for the Right’s most egregious, dangerous policies.” Wasserman Schultz highlighted the impact of policies like the "Parental Rights in Education" law and a controversial Black History curriculum, which she claimed promote misinformation and discrimination. She connected these state-level actions to Project 2025, a conservative policy platform linked to Donald Trump, warning that if Republicans succeed in the upcoming presidential election, similar policies could be implemented nationwide. 

 

Florida Politics

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Four years post-pandemic, recent analyses reveal a troubling academic landscape for American children. Reports indicate that U.S. students have not made progress in the 2023-24 school year, with further declines in math and reading, exacerbating pandemic learning loss. Karyn Lewis, a researcher at NWEA, highlights that growth has stagnated and achievement gaps are widening. Eighth graders, who were in fourth grade during the pandemic, are particularly affected, requiring an additional nine months of schooling to catch up. Lewis said: “This is a crisis moment with middle schoolers,” underscoring concerns about how to address these educational deficits before they exit the system.

 

EdSource

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday he is launching a “2024 Back to School Bus Tour” early next month, stopping off at swing states Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, as well as in Indiana and Illinois. Cardona said he is “looking forward to lifting up what’s working in public education and celebrating the exciting work taking place in our schools and communities to ensure that all students, no matter their race, place, or background, have opportunities to succeed and contribute to our country,” while highlighting the more than $357bn invested over the last four years to "strengthen education across America."

 

Ohio Capital Journal

A recent survey by the Knight Foundation reveals that two-thirds of American adults oppose restrictions on books in public schools. The survey highlights a significant divide in opinions, with 66% of conservatives supporting such restrictions, compared to only 11% of liberals. Despite this, 78% of respondents believe schools are selecting age-appropriate books. Kyla Gabriel, director of learning and impact at the Knight Foundation, said: "There really, to us, seemed to be a critical gap in nonpartisan data around how Americans are feeling on this topic." The survey, conducted with over 4,500 adults, indicates a growing concern over limiting students' access to educational materials, even as Florida leads in book banning efforts.

 

Tallahassee.com

TCPalm

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that nearly 15m children were chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year, which is double the pre-pandemic numbers. This increase in chronic absenteeism disproportionately affects Native, Black, and Latino children and has led to bleak educational outcomes. The report highlights the urgent need for targeted investments in family engagement, social emotional health, and tutoring to prevent a generation of Black and brown kids from being shut out of high-paying STEM fields. The report also reveals that 40% of kids have experienced adverse childhood experiences, such as parent death or abuse. The highest chronic absenteeism rates were observed in Alaska, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Oregon, while the lowest rates were seen in Idaho, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Washington. The data book emphasizes the importance of addressing economic and housing instability, limited childcare options, and transportation challenges that hinder children from attending school consistently. The report also highlights the reading and literacy crisis, with only one in three kids reading at grade level by 4th grade. The report calls for increased investments in early childhood education and high dosage tutoring to improve children's well-being.

 

Star-Telegram

Broward County voters decisively rejected candidates supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the far-right group Moms for Liberty in the recent elections. Amid ongoing culture wars in Florida, including book bans and restrictive laws, residents chose to shape the future of their school board, which oversees the sixth-largest school system in the U.S. Notably, Maura McCarthy Bulman won District 1 with 51% of the vote, while Rebecca Thompson secured District 2 with over 66%. Incumbents Sarah Leonardi and Jeff Holness also retained their seats, with Leonardi receiving 70% and Holness receiving more than 75%. Debra "Debbi" Hixon, whose late husband was a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, easily defeated her opponent with over 70%.

 

Florida Politics

The Floridian

New Times Broward-Palm Beach

Estates Elementary School was placed on lockdown following a nearby shooting in Ave Maria, which occurred around 8:53 a.m. on Thursday. Jennifer Kupiec, spokesperson for Collier County Public Schools, confirmed that the lockdown was a precautionary measure and that the school day continued without incident. "The incident did not pose a threat to the school, and no student or staff member was injured," Kupiec stated. The Collier County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for the shooting suspect, who fled the scene on foot. One person was reported injured in the shooting, but their condition remains unknown.

 

Naplesnews

Broward County Schools is addressing issues following the recent implementation of metal detectors. While most students can pass through without triggering alarms, the devices demand significant security personnel, which may limit their presence in other areas of the campus. The Sun Sentinel notes that "the second day of metal detectors at Broward County School District high schools was better than the first." The district continues to refine its security measures to ensure a smoother operation.

 

Sun Sentinel

Florida school districts are grappling with the challenges of a new law mandating that all campus doors and gates be locked whenever students are present. Officials from Pasco and Pinellas counties expressed concerns about the law's implementation, stating they would seek changes to their 2025 legislative platform. 

 

Tampa Bay Times

Fifty gallons of raw sewage spilled near Pelican Marsh Elementary School in north Naples, but officials have assured the public that there is no cause for alarm. According to a Department of Environmental Protection report, the spill occurred due to a leaking air release valve, which has since been isolated and temporarily plugged. Chad Oliver, the district's chief communication officer, emphasized, "This did not occur on the campus of Pelican Marsh Elementary," confirming that the incident did not affect school operations. The spill entered a canal adjacent to the school, and the wastewater facility will conduct surface water sampling and install public advisory signs to ensure safety.

 

Naplesnews

News-Press.com

LGBTQ+ students attending schools with restrictive policies face significant mental health challenges, according to The Trevor Project's latest report. The survey of 18,663 LGBTQ+ youth revealed that those in schools with at least one anti-LGBTQ+ policy reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Jonah DeChants, a senior research scientist at The Trevor Project, stated, “The presence of these policies is clearly impacting the culture of the school.” Despite these challenges, over 75% of LGBTQ+ students in such environments reported having a supportive adult at school. Gia Loving, co-executive director for GSA Network, emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment, stating that Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) can improve school climate and encourage attendance. The report highlights the urgent need for supportive measures to protect the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in educational settings.

 

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