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Florida
30th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Volusia County school board members demand transparency

The ongoing struggle for transparency in Volusia County Schools has led to the introduction of House Bill 1073, which aims to establish a School Board member’s bill of rights. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Traci Koster, seeks to ensure that School Board members can access records "timely and for free" and prohibits the requirement of nondisclosure agreements for school employees. The bill passed the House Education Administration Subcommittee with a 15-3 vote, highlighting the need for accountability within the district. Brosemer, a School Board member, expressed frustration over the lack of access to financial information, stating, "Because of this bill, the District’s line-item budget will be made available to us." The bill is now set to move to the Education & Employment Committee for further consideration.

READING INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

Get FREE Reading Intervention Resources to Raise FAST ELA Scores

Florida’s latest FAST ELA results show that too many students are still below grade‑level proficiency, making strong intervention practices more important than ever. Improving reading comprehension, building background knowledge, and using explicit, research‑based instruction are key to accelerating literacy growth for striving readers.

This curated collection of articles, videos, and downloadable resources was created specifically for Florida educators and administrators who support reading intervention and who are working every day to move more students toward FAST ELA success.

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DISTRICTS

Graduation venues set for 2026

Broward County Public Schools has reversed its decision to hold most high school graduation ceremonies in gymnasiums for 2026. "Following feedback from School Board members and the community, the revised graduation schedule for the Class of 2026 has been updated," a statement on the Broward Schools website said. All schools will use the same venues as in 2025, ensuring each graduate receives a minimum of four guest tickets. Sixteen schools will celebrate at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, while others will use Nova Southeastern University and Hard Rock Live.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment declines hit Leon County schools

Leon County's public schools are experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment, primarily attributed to a 12.6% drop in local birth rates over the past decade. Superintendent Rocky Hanna stated: "Our enrollment data trends are not based on kids leaving the district," emphasizing that the trend is reflective of broader state and national patterns. While over half of the schools are losing students, district leaders believe the declines are not severe enough to warrant school closures. The shifts in enrollment, particularly in key transition grades like kindergarten and ninth grade, could impact classroom sizes and staffing needs.

Too many classrooms, not enough students

Pinellas County schools are facing a significant challenge with "too many classrooms and too few students." As a result, some schools will need to close, while others will consolidate. This situation reflects a broader trend affecting educational institutions in the area, prompting discussions about the future of local education.

TECHNOLOGY

Most teens ignore school phone bans, using devices for 1.5 hours daily

A University of Southern California study has found that while 98% of teens attend schools with cellphone restrictions and most support the rules, students still use their phones for an average of 1.5 hours during the school day. Despite bans, two-thirds of students at schools with full restrictions still use phones in class, often with minimal consequences, and most report little impact on academic performance or social dynamics. Other typical consequences include confiscating the phone for the remainder of the class or the entire day, contacting parents, assigning detention, or requiring a parent to retrieve the device.

WORKFORCE

Brevard County schools face staffing cuts

Brevard County School District will implement a 7% staffing reduction due to declining student enrollment, which has led to decreased funding. In a letter to employees, the school board announced that these changes will take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. A spokesperson for Brevard Public Schools said: "BPS remains focused on protecting teaching, learning, and the staff who support students every day." The district has been adjusting its budget to avoid impacting personnel, but as stated in the letter, "as we prepare the budget for the coming school year, that will no longer be the case."

HIGHER EDUCATION

FAMU's AI workshop revolutionizes education

Florida A&M University is advancing technology education through its new AI and Data Science workshop, supported by a $5.35m federal grant. The funding enhances broadband capabilities to 100 gigabits per second, benefiting both students and the surrounding community. "AI is like the next big thing. If you're not using it you're definitely falling behind," said second-year student Stephon Sanders. The workshop equips students with essential AI skills, preparing them for a rapidly evolving workforce. Dr. Erdell Maurice emphasized the personalized learning potential of AI, stating:, "AI has the ability to personalize your education." The initiative not only aids students but also improves connectivity for 100 socio-economically depressed homes near the campus, as noted by Dr. Richard Aló.

Florida freezes foreign worker hiring

Florida's Board of Governors is considering a temporary hiring freeze on skilled foreign workers through the H-1B visa program until January 2027. Critics, including Meera Sitharam, president of the University of Florida's faculty union, warn that this could deter top research talent, stating, "Florida is taking itself out of the running." The proposal arises amid growing conservative opposition to the visa system, with Governor Ron DeSantis labeling it as a means for employers to hire foreign workers at lower wages.

Florida Poly secures $2.9m boost

Florida Polytechnic University is set to enhance its cybersecurity and artificial intelligence education with a $2.9m federal funding for the Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory (PSAIL). Congressman Scott Franklin, who represents Florida's 18th Congressional District, championed the funding, stating, "I was proud to secure $2.9m in FY26 funding for the Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory to expand hands-on training in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity." This investment aims to strengthen workforce development and public safety. Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly's president, expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing that it empowers students and faculty to develop real-world solutions.

USF's economic impact skyrockets

The University of South Florida (USF) has emerged as a significant economic force in Tampa Bay, generating an estimated $9.8bn in added income statewide, with $6.6bn in the region alone. This impact supports approximately 76,649 jobs, surpassing the entire utilities industry's footprint in the area. The report highlights USF's diverse contributions, including $738m in research funding for FY 2023-24, reflecting a 35% increase since FY 2021-22.

INTERNATIONAL

India enrols more children into school than ever, but learning gaps persist

India’s Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights that school enrolment at the elementary level is now near-universal, with dropout rates continuing to fall and gender gaps narrowing across most stages. However, the report warns that learning outcomes have not improved at the same pace, with significant disparities persisting across states, income groups and school types. The survey also noted that post-pandemic learning losses remain unevenly reversed, worsened by the digital divide during school closures, while teacher shortages, high pupil-teacher ratios and uneven deployment continue to limit classroom quality. The central challenge ahead is shifting focus from access to education toward measurable learning gains, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy.

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