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Two internet industry groups, the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, have filed a federal lawsuit against Florida's new law aimed at restricting children's access to social media. They argue that the law violates First Amendment rights, claiming: “While states certainly have a legitimate interest in protecting minors... restricting the ability of minors (and adults) to access them altogether is not a narrowly tailored means of advancing any such interest.” House Speaker Paul Renner and Attorney General Ashley Moody have defended the law, which forbids minors under 16 from opening accounts on particular platforms, and promised to uphold it in court. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to prevent the law from taking effect, citing that similar laws have been blocked in other states. The law is set to take effect on January 1.

 

Orlando Weekly

In the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida's education system is adapting to recover lost instructional time. The storms led to significant school closures, with students missing an average of 50 hours of learning, or about 5% of the academic year. The Florida Department of Education has emphasized the importance of local school control, allowing districts to determine how to make up for lost time. Various districts are implementing creative strategies, such as adjusting calendars and waiving exams, to ensure students stay on track. This flexibility is a welcome change, allowing local authorities to find effective solutions for their communities.

 

Tampa Bay Times

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A new EdWeek Research Center report highlights the growing financial strain that rising pension costs place on U.S. school districts, revealing that many administrators lack a full understanding of how these complex systems operate. The report, commissioned by the Equable Institute, shows that school districts now allocate over $60 billion annually to educator pensions—triple the amount from three decades ago—compelling schools to cut back on investments in facilities, staffing, and student resources to balance budgets. With pension obligations largely fixed, school leaders are struggling to keep up with the costs, particularly as federal COVID relief funding phases out. Survey responses from over 1,100 district officials reveal widespread confusion: more than half were unaware of their state's current pension contributions, and nearly 60% lacked clarity on their own district’s pension obligations. In states where districts bear some pension costs directly, many have canceled pay raises, postponed construction, or cut extracurriculars. As funding pressures grow, one in five respondents expects further budget cuts or postponed initiatives in the next five years.

 

Education Week News

According to a recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center, 43% of teachers have received at least one training session on artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant increase from 29% earlier this year. Despite this progress, 58% of teachers still lack any training, highlighting a pressing need for districts to enhance professional development opportunities. Tara Natrass, managing director of innovation strategy for ISTE+ASCD, emphasized that “districts have a lot of work to do to get everyone up to speed.” Many teachers expressed a desire for more training, with one high school math teacher from Colorado stating, “I would really like to have some in-depth training on the use of some of the new educational AI tools.” While some educators are utilizing AI for lesson planning and material creation, others remain skeptical about its role in education, fearing it may hinder creativity and learning.

 

Education Week News

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is launching the Edu-PARTNERS initiative, supported by a $9.5m, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This program aims to enhance training for prospective teachers and their mentors through a partnership with Miami Dade College. Maribel Dotres, administrative director of the Office of Professional Learning and Career Development, explained: “This grant gives us a unique opportunity to recruit candidates to mentor and support in the early stages of the teaching profession.” Edu-PARTNERS focuses on expanding teacher recruitment by providing affordable pathways for qualified individuals. The initiative includes a structured mentoring program for new educators during their first two years, ensuring they receive ongoing professional learning. Dawn M. Baglos, Chief Human Capital Officer at M-DCPS, emphasized that the program enhances apprenticeship opportunities, combining coursework with paid training in high-needs schools. Overall, the initiative aims to improve student achievement by attracting diverse talent to the teaching profession.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

Bay District Schools has received a $1.52m grant aimed at enhancing workforce development through the expansion of its career and technical education (CTE) programs. This funding will create new opportunities for students to gain practical experience in high-wage, high-demand fields such as agro-technology, allied health assisting, and criminal justice. The initiative aims to ensure that every student graduates equipped with the necessary skills and certifications to thrive in their chosen professions.

 

News Herald

In the upcoming general election, Heather Felton, a former Manatee County teacher, and Mark Stanoch, a former tech executive, are competing for the School Board's District 1 seat. Current member Gina Messenger is not seeking re-election after two terms. Felton aims to advocate for teachers and parents, noting: “It was important to me to be an advocate for people who don't have a voice.” Stanoch, who has experience with major companies like Dell and IBM, emphasizes the importance of managing the $1.6bn school budget effectively. Both candidates have outlined their priorities: Felton focuses on raising teacher salaries and supporting parents, while Stanoch aims to improve reading scores and oversee school construction costs. Felton has raised over $16,000 for her campaign, while Stanoch has raised nearly $46,000. The election is nonpartisan and open to voters in District 1.

 

Bradenton.com

The cellphone ban in Broward County Public Schools has generated mixed feedback from parents, students, and faculty. Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said: “Right now, the surveys are pretty mixed. Positive impact and also negative, so it's actually pretty balanced, about 50-50 right now.” The district has received responses from 37,000 parents and faculty and 20,000 students regarding the policy. While some students express frustration over the ban, stating they need phones for communication and emergencies, teachers generally support the policy, noting increased student engagement in classrooms. Hepburn believes the ban may enhance in-person connections and improve academic performance and mental health. The survey results will be presented to the school board on November 6 for further consideration.

 

NBC Miami

NBC Miami

High school graduations in Pinellas County will be postponed until late May, with specific dates yet to be determined. The Pinellas County School Board approved a plan to recover approximately 50 hours of lost instructional time due to hurricanes Helene and Milton. This includes rescheduling non-class days on January 6 and February 17 and extending the last day of classes by two hours. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick mentioned that details regarding graduation locations and dates should be available soon, as Tropicana Field is no longer an option. Board member Stephanie Meyer emphasized the need for flexibility, saying: “I hate to say it, but we're not through hurricane season yet.”

 

Tampa Bay Times

SpaceKids Global, founded by Sharon Hagle, is dedicated to inspiring young students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fields, particularly encouraging girls to see space as an attainable goal. Hagle, who describes space travel as “the most emotional and spiritual journey you will ever take...it changes you,” emphasizes the importance of early engagement in preparing students for future careers, noting that “seventy percent of future jobs aren't even known yet.” The organization’s new CEO, Maryann Barry, aims to expand programming to reach more students, commenting: “We want every child to believe they have a place in the future.” One initiative, the Press Squad, allows young reporters to cover a Blue Origin launch, transforming them from spectators to active participants. With plans for new programs in 2025, SpaceKids Global has already impacted over 866,000 students since its inception in 2015, striving to make STEAM education accessible and inspire the next generation to explore space.

 

Click Orlando

Active shooter drills have become a routine part of life for Florida students, but they are also contributing to heightened anxiety and stress among them. Tampa parent Brandon Jones expressed the concern: “Tell the kids goodbye in the morning, and like, hey have a great day, love you, but you really don't know what they're going into that day.”

 

Tampa Bay Times

Electric school buses are becoming increasingly common across the United States, with around 5,000 currently in operation and commitments for at least 7,200 more. These buses significantly reduce toxic emissions and noise pollution compared to traditional diesel buses. However, challenges remain, including high upfront costs—up to three times that of diesel buses—and the need for specialized repair training. Concerns about their performance in extreme weather and on long routes also persist. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is supporting this transition with substantial grants and rebates, while the Internal Revenue Service offers reimbursements of 30% to 60% of electric bus costs. Mark Lieberman, a reporter for Education Week, highlights the ongoing efforts to promote electric buses in school districts.

 

Education Week News