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Florida is mobilizing a workforce of 2,800 to tackle debris removal following Hurricane Milton, with President Joe Biden approving 100% reimbursement for the next 90 days. The operation involves various state agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation and the National Guard, focusing on heavily affected areas like Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. As of Sunday, 818,000 utility accounts remain without power, while 3.5m have been restored. All airports are currently open except for Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, and over 20 more school districts will reopen on Monday, DeSantis said.

 

TCPalm

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According to EdWeek's 2024 State of Teaching report, 70% of teachers believe the public views their profession negatively. This perception can impact teachers' job satisfaction and performance, ultimately affecting the quality of education. A North Dakota middle school teacher stated: “Teachers are overworked, underpaid, and disrespected.” The survey, conducted with 1,498 teachers in October 2023, highlights challenges such as increased workloads and political pressures. Matthew Kraft, a professor at Brown University, noted that the public's limited perspective on teaching contributes to this negative perception. He said: “When people rate the quality of public schools broadly, they give schools middling grades.” Kraft advocates for a shift in focus towards attracting highly qualified individuals to the teaching profession, emphasizing the need for structural changes, including better pay and redefining teaching roles. A follow-up report in early 2025 will further explore these issues.

 

Education Week News

During the pandemic, students with disabilities faced increased punitive discipline and limited access to rigorous coursework, according to a report from the Center for Learning Equity. Jennifer Coco, the center's senior director of strategy and impact, highlighted that these students were “among the most severely affected during the pandemic,” struggling to receive necessary accommodations and therapies. The report revealed that students with disabilities were twice as likely to face suspension and referrals to law enforcement compared to their peers. Furthermore, while charter schools have increased their enrollment of students with disabilities, traditional public schools still serve the majority. The report emphasizes the need for schools to invest in practices that support these students, as they continue to lag in accessing advanced courses and programs. Chase Nordengren, director of research at the center, noted: “Do students with disabilities have equal access to all or any of them? And the answer unfortunately is no.”

 

Education Week News

Investing over $40,000 in a college education may not suffice for Gen Z graduates, as a recent report by intelligent.com reveals that 60% of employers have fired new hires within months. The report highlights a significant lack of soft skills, with half of the surveyed hiring leaders citing insufficient motivation and initiative as key issues. Furthermore, 75% of employers found recent graduates unsatisfactory in various aspects, including punctuality and professionalism. The pandemic exacerbated these shortcomings, as remote learning hindered the development of essential interpersonal skills. As a result, many colleges are now offering classes focused on workplace networking skills, acknowledging that graduates are not adequately prepared for the workforce. The report underscores the importance of soft skills in achieving success in today's job market.

 

Turlock Journal

Following the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, students from Fort Myers Beach Elementary and The Sanibel School will be relocating to other schools in the Lee County area. Fort Myers Beach students will return to San Carlos Elementary, where they previously attended after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Lee County School District Assistant Communications Director Rob Spicker stated that the transition will include a two-day process for picking up supplies and learning aids. Meanwhile, Sanibel students will move to Heights Elementary. The district has not yet announced when the affected schools will reopen. "There may be some that find themselves in extenuating circumstances due to the impact of the storm," the district noted on its website, urging families to communicate with their schools if they face difficulties returning. All other Lee County students are set to return to class on Monday.

 

Naplesnews

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, Tampa Bay area school districts, including Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas, have announced a delay in reopening. Officials initially planned to provide updates by midday Sunday but have now postponed the decision until noon today. Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning stated, “We are still assessing schools, dealing with rising water in some locations.” Many schools remain without power, and cleanup efforts are ongoing. While school shelters have been closed, non-school locations continue to operate as shelters. The districts are actively updating families through their websites and social media.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Applications are now open for Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) Magnet programs for the 2025-26 school year, featuring an expanded selection of 11 themes, including aerospace and artificial intelligence. Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres emphasized: “M-DCPS is committed to providing a world-class education that ignites innovation, passion and fuels ambition.” New offerings include the first Industrial Biotechnology Magnet at Miami Jackson Senior High School and the Electric Vehicle Automotive Technology Magnet at Carol City Senior High School. The Apple Coding program has also expanded to two high schools, while Artificial Intelligence Magnet programs are now available at Southwest Miami Senior High School and Miami Edison Senior High School. With 119 schools and 400 programs available, M-DCPS aims to provide every child with a pathway to success.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) has launched its SEO Scholars program in Miami-Dade County, providing a free, eight-year academic initiative for ninth-grade students. With an impressive 85% graduation rate, the program aims to bridge the opportunity gap for economically disadvantaged students, as highlighted by William Goodloe, president and CEO of SEO, who stated: “Through SEO Scholars Miami, we will close the opportunity gap for students to get them to and through college.” The program, which has already seen success in cities like New York and San Francisco, will offer over 600 additional hours of academic instruction, mentorship, and college preparation. The inaugural class is set to begin in February 2025, with an application deadline of December 6. SEO expects to serve hundreds of students over the next eight years, with a cumulative budget exceeding $30m.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The Pierre Toussaint Leadership and Learning Center in Little Haiti, Miami, is transforming lives through digital literacy. Joseph Jean-Baptiste, a 77-year-old student, emphasizes the importance of these classes, stating: “I need more practice. That's why I come here.” The center, part of Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church, began offering tech classes in 2022 and now serves around 210 students, primarily older adults. Funded by organizations like Comcast and the Miami Foundation, the center aims to bridge the digital divide, with executive director Jean Souffrant noting: “A lot of people in the community cannot currently access these jobs.” Meanwhile, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and the Crockett Foundation are also providing STEM education to younger generations, preparing them for future careers in technology.

 

The Miami Herald

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) recently celebrated the 12th anniversary of Fathers in Education Day with a kickoff breakfast at Pinecrest Elementary, themed “Dads and Doughnuts.” M-DCPS superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres emphasized the importance of father involvement, stating: “The involvement of dads is about building confidence and being part of the education of our wonderful students.” Shawn Thomas, head of Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students), received a proclamation for his contributions to the program, which supports school staff and promotes student safety. Research indicates that active father engagement leads to improved academic outcomes, with children being less likely to repeat grades or drop out. The event, initiated by the Fatherhood Task Force in 2014, encourages fathers and male mentors to participate in various activities across over 140 schools, reinforcing their critical role in children's education and emotional development.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

In a thrilling meet, the Florida State swimming and diving team triumphed over Georgia Tech, with senior Maddy Huggins breaking a school record in the 200-yard breaststroke. The Seminole women won nine of 16 events, finishing with a score of 162-138, while the men's team fell short at 125.5-174.5. Huggins' record-breaking time of 2:07.98 surpassed the previous mark set by Nina Kucheran in 2021. FSU head coach Neal Studd expressed his excitement, stating, "I am really excited that the women overturned last year's defeat to earn the win today." The meet showcased strong performances from other Seminoles, including Edith Jernstedt and Yordan Yanchev, who also secured individual victories. The divers excelled, sweeping the top four spots in the 3-meter event. Overall, it was a day of impressive achievements for FSU's swimming and diving teams.

 

Tallahassee.com