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A group of eight states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop significant cuts to teacher training programs. These programs are essential for addressing teacher shortages in STEM fields and supporting students with disabilities or those learning English. Attorneys general from California, Massachusetts and New Jersey are co-leading the lawsuit, the second to be filed against the cuts, which has been joined by Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin. They argue that the cuts, which add up to more than $600 million, threaten the quality of education and could lead to increased reliance on underqualified educators. The lawsuit also claims that the administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and disrupt the training of teachers necessary for diverse student populations. The two grants at issue are the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development, established by Congress in 2008 and 2011, respectively, to recruit and train educators to work in high-need rural and urban school districts. The coalition of states is seeking a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Massachusetts, to block the funding cuts.

 

Courthouse News Service

The Denver Post

Los Angeles Times

Reuters

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New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside 14 other attorneys general, has issued guidance to K-12 schools and higher education institutions, reaffirming the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. This response comes after the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold federal funding from schools engaging in DEI initiatives. James stated, “Schools and educational institutions can rest assured that they are well within their legal rights to continue building inclusive learning environments for their students.” The guidance emphasizes that fears of losing federal funding should not justify discriminatory practices and encourages schools to support diverse educational experiences. It also clarifies that existing laws remain unchanged despite federal guidance, urging institutions to continue holistic admissions practices and protect vulnerable students from discrimination.

 

Chalkbeat

A recent executive order by President Donald Trump designated English as the official language of the United States, raising concerns among educators regarding its impact on English learners. Conor Williams, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, said: “There is no legal reason for any program to change their approach to teaching bilingual education.” Experts warn that the order could limit translation services and shift focus towards English-only instruction, potentially undermining multilingual education. Despite these challenges, key federal laws, such as Lau v. Nichols, remain unchanged, mandating support for English learners. Kathleen Leos, former director of the federal office of English language acquisition, emphasized that this situation serves as a “wake-up call” for states to invest in effective multilingual programs.

 

Education Week News

Florida Senator Danny Burgess has introduced Senate Bill 1296, proposing a pilot program to ban cell phones in six school districts to enhance student focus and interaction. The initiative has ignited discussions among parents, with some supporting the ban for reducing distractions, while others worry about communication and safety. Burgess said: “I believe there is more we can do to further promote ideal learning environments to increase student achievement.” The bill aims to implement the ban for the 2025-26 school year, requiring the Florida Department of Education to evaluate its impact on student behavior and academic performance. Tim Forson, superintendent of St. Johns County School District, expressed the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the challenges of cell phone use in schools. He argued: “Banning cell phones six hours out of a 24-hour day is not going to eliminate bad behaviors that happen through cell phones.”

 

Naplesnews

Tampa Bay Times

The School District of Manatee County is preparing for an influx of students as the area continues to grow. Kevin Chapman, the district's chief of staff, said: "We've got to accommodate for that and so, that means new schools." Currently, 16 schools are near or over capacity, prompting a series of public meetings to discuss future rezoning. Proposed maps for new residential attendance zones will be ready by late spring, with the aim of completing the process by fall. The district is also building five new schools, with two expected to open by August 2027. Parents are concerned about how these changes will affect their children’s education, expressing hope that their kids will remain in quality schools.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Pinellas County school officials have confirmed they won't involve their police in immigration enforcement, clarifying that schools police chief Luke Williams had previously signed an agreement without proper authorization. School board member Lisa Cane commented: “We had no interest in having the schools be a place for that. This is just a complete surprise. It warrants a lot more questions.”

 

Florida Phoenix

Florida Politics

Tampa Bay Times

The Broward Estates Elementary School is facing closure as part of Broward County Public Schools' plan to address declining student enrollment. During a recent community meeting, residents expressed their anger and frustration over the decision. The district plans to convert the school into an early learning center, but many community members oppose this change, arguing that it undermines the needs of local families. Superintendent Howard Hepburn defended the decision, citing that only about 35% of students in the area are ready for kindergarten. Despite the challenges, community advocates are determined to fight for the school's future, with petitions circulating to challenge the closure.

 

The Miami Herald

Theresa Axford, after three decades in the Monroe County School District, is retiring, prompting the board to initiate a search for her successor. At its February 25 meeting, the board emphasized the need for a leader who prioritizes student-focused decision-making and maintains an apolitical stance that respects diverse cultures and backgrounds. They are looking for someone with strong community relations and experience in disaster preparedness. The board's goal is to find a candidate who embodies these values to ensure a positive environment for students and staff.

 

Keys News

Three robotics teams from Alachua County Public Schools have qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, taking place from May 6-14. The Eastside High School's Drumroll Please team and Westwood Middle School's PHAZE team secured their spots by winning top awards at the North/Central Florida VEX Robotics Competition. The Drumroll Please team, coached by Brittany Wishin, won the VEX V5 High School Tournament Champions Award and the Amaze Award, which recognizes a high-performing robot.

 

Bradenton.com

The Gainesville Sun

Renee Gugel, program chair of teacher leadership at National Louis University, emphasizes the importance of peer observations in professional development (PD) for teachers. In a recent survey of new teachers, 100% reported that observing peers was the most beneficial form of PD. Despite this, many had not been given the opportunity to do so. Gugel argues that peer observations are low-cost, relevant, and foster connections among teachers, making them a valuable investment in professional growth. She says: "You can't get much more return on investment than having a system in place for teachers to watch and learn from each other." Gugel calls for school leaders to integrate peer observations into their PD frameworks to enhance teaching practices and strengthen school culture.

 

Education Week News

The U.S. State Department is implementing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven initiative called "Catch and Revoke" to revoke visas of foreign students identified as supporters of Palestinian Hamas militants. This program will utilize AI to analyze social media accounts of tens of thousands of student visa holders. According to Axios, officials are investigating reports of protests against Israel's policies and lawsuits from Jewish students alleging antisemitism involving foreign nationals.

 

U.S. News

Kelli Stargel has been promoted to vice president for strategic initiatives, development, and external relations at Florida Polytechnic University. Previously serving as associate vice president for strategic relationships, Stargel will focus on enhancing partnerships at various levels and overseeing the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation. She stated, “I love this University – it’s one of the reasons I chose to work here,” expressing her excitement for her new role. Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson praised Stargel's understanding of Florida's legislative and business landscape, emphasizing her commitment to higher education.

 

Lakeland Ledger

Florida Tech temporarily took down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) webpages while reviewing compliance with recent executive orders from President Donald Trump. A spokesperson ecplained: "Our focus is and remains on our students — their learning, unique opportunities and memorable achievements." Although Florida Tech is exempt from many of Trump's orders, it is not alone in reacting to federal guidance. Other institutions, like the University of Colorado and Florida State University, have also made changes to align with these directives. Florida State University President Richard McCullough noted that they are "making some changes to websites and communications to better reflect the institution's compliance with these guidelines." Meanwhile, Eastern Florida State College reported minimal impact from the orders, confirming their programs remain compliant.

 

Florida Today

News-Press.com

Innospec, a leading global specialty chemicals company, and UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education (IESALC), have teamed up to launch an educational program aimed at improving access to STEM education for indigenous students in Brazil. The initiative will directly train 40 indigenous students, with its ripple effects benefiting an additional 200 individuals. The main outcome of the project will consist of a course on sustainable development and STEM, co-designed by indigenous and non-indigenous students and researchers, integrating indigenous knowledge and science applied to sustainability practices to empower diverse voices in STEM education.

 

UNESCO-IESALC