Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Florida
4th February 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida schools dodge charter land grab

Florida public education advocates achieved a significant victory on Monday, halting a legislative push that would have required school districts to transfer taxpayer-funded property to charter schools. State Sen. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, withdrew his bill (SB 824) that mandated districts with declining enrollment to offer undeveloped land to charter schools. Instead, he proposed an amendment to create an annual inventory of unimproved real property owned by school districts, omitting any reference to charter schools. This change reflects growing public disapproval of initiatives like Schools of Hope, which provide property to charter schools at no cost. Families for Strong Public Schools, which previously opposed the land transfer, expressed gratitude for the support. If approved, the amendment would delay the transfer of taxpayer-owned sites to charter schools.

NATIONAL NEWS

President Trump signs bill to end shutdown, preserving K-12 funding

Congress has narrowly approved legislation to end a partial U.S. government shutdown, passing the funding bill by a 217–214 vote before President Donald Trump signed it into law. The $1.2tn measure restores funding for much of the government through the end of the fiscal year, while temporarily funding the Department of Homeland Security until mid-February to allow further negotiations over immigration enforcement. It keeps funding flat for most major K-12 programs, including Title I for low-income students, special education under IDEA, professional development, and support for English learners. The budget rejects Trump administration proposals to cut billions from education, while stopping short of blocking efforts to shift Education Department responsibilities to other agencies. Instead, it requires closer consultation with Congress and provides nearly $400m for department staff compensation. Funding was also restored for smaller agencies such as AmeriCorps and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, giving schools and education providers greater certainty ahead of the next academic year.

STATE NEWS

Florida leads the way in AI education

An opinion piece by Nathan Hoffman, the Senior Legislative Director for the Foundation for Florida’s Future, argues that Florida should take a proactive, statewide approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in education in order to protect children while still supporting innovation. The author contends that although Florida has a strong history of embracing new technologies, generative AI poses unique risks to student safety, data privacy, and mental health. He calls for uniform state policies rather than fragmented district-level rules, with strict safeguards around student data, transparency from AI providers, and parental awareness of AI use in schools. Particular concern is raised about human-like AI chatbots that simulate relationships, which the author warns could encourage isolation or harmful behavior among minors. Hoffman concludes that clear statewide guardrails would protect students and position Florida as a national leader.

IMPORTANT DELIVERY UPDATE

We’re making a behind-the-scenes improvement to how our emails are sent by updating our sending domain.

What does this mean for you? Not much - except one quick action to make sure our newsletters continue landing safely in your inbox (and not your spam folder).

Please add the following address to your safe senders list: 👉 news@edu.industryslice.com

Doing this helps your email provider recognise us as a trusted sender, so you never miss an edition.

👉 How to add a sender to your safe list: Click Here
Thanks for reading - and for making sure we keep showing up where we should 👍

 

DISTRICTS

New school boundaries unveiled in Gainesville

On February 2, Alachua County Public Schools released nine preliminary school boundary maps, which are set to be finalized by the Alachua County School Board in March. These maps, developed with Gainesville-based JBPro, aim to address challenges related to school capacity and enrollment. The initiative, part of the "Our Schools - Future Ready" planning, includes community feedback sessions. "Residents identified existing issues," said the district, leading to guiding principles for future planning. Eight additional engagement sessions will occur from February 4 to February 18, with the first meeting at Hawthorne Middle/High School. The proposed changes may affect students currently zoned for Hawthorne, with some being reassigned to Eastside High School and Santa Fe High School.

Union Park Middle School consolidation plan unveiled

A recent rule development workshop provided a platform for community discussions regarding proposed rezoning changes as part of the Union Park Middle School consolidation plan. This plan involves transferring 104 students from Legacy Middle School to Discovery Middle School and 199 students from Odyssey Middle School to Legacy Middle School. District 1 School Board member Angie Gallo said: "With Union Park, there’s a lot of moving parts," emphasizing the complexity of the situation. The district anticipates a continued decline in student enrollment, projecting a loss of 5,000 students next school year, which has already resulted in a $41m loss in state funding this year. The final public hearing for the consolidation plan is set for March 10.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Campus safety concerns rise for women

An analysis by Washington State researchers reveals that female college students aged 18 to 24 are 74% more likely to experience sexual violence. Following a reported rape at UC Irvine's Camino del Sol housing, students have expressed heightened fears for their safety. Destiny Anderson, an educational science major, stated: "You can’t be by yourself at night... It just feels unsafe." The increase in reported incidents of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) crimes across California campuses may stem from improved awareness and reporting processes. Stett Holbrook, associate director at the University of California Office of the President, noted that "improved Clery Act reporting and campus security response measures have contributed to an increase in reported VAWA crimes." Experts emphasize that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher than reported, as many survivors do not disclose their experiences. Lauren Roberts, founder of The Thriving Initiative, highlighted that "the numbers that are reported are not accurate" due to underreporting.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Vaccination debate heats up in Florida

In a recent podcast, Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist and chair of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, suggested that vaccinations for diseases like polio and measles should be optional, sparking significant concern among public health officials. He said: "Freedom of choice is more important," despite acknowledging potential risks to children's health. Vaccination rates in Florida are troubling, with only 89% of kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella, falling short of the 95% needed for herd immunity. Legislation in Florida could further weaken vaccination requirements, allowing parents to claim "conscience" exemptions. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board argues that these trends pose a serious threat to public health and that Milhoan's advice is irresponsible. They emphasize the importance of vaccines, which have historically saved millions of lives, and call for the legislature to maintain current vaccination standards.

STUDENTS

Students protest immigration enforcement in Florida

School districts in Florida are facing student protests against federal immigration enforcement, particularly following the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas warned school leaders against facilitating such protests, saying: "Any conduct by school or district personnel that diverts students from instruction... violates professional responsibilities." While students have the right to express their views, Kamoutsas emphasized that protests should not disrupt classroom learning. Districts like Brevard County have cautioned against on-campus protests, while others, such as Pasco County, are monitoring the situation. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick noted: "You have a right to express your First Amendment rights, but you can't interrupt the learning of other students."

LEGISLATION

New bill aims to arm college staff

The House has advanced a proposal to expand the "school guardian" program to colleges and universities, following a tragic shooting at Florida State University. Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, emphasized the bill's unique approach, remarking: "This bill creates a prevention and a response mechanism unlike any other." The proposal allows designated post-secondary employees to be trained and armed, aiming to enhance campus safety. However, concerns were raised by Emily Stewart, an assistant professor at Florida State University, who highlighted the potential dangers of mixing armed civilians with law enforcement during emergencies. The bill also includes measures for mental health support and threat assessment transfers from K-12 to higher education. It must pass the Budget Committee before reaching the House floor, while a similar Senate effort remains pending.

School board members demand more access

The proposed HB 1073 and SB 1620 bills aim to enhance access for school board members to various school district documents, including non-public records like "notes, invoices, and internal legal opinions." Sen. Don Gaetz, a sponsor of the Senate bill, emphasized that it would assist board members in minority positions, claiming: "This bill addresses all of the challenges that I've encountered in trying to do my job as oversight in Volusia County." The legislation also allows board members to consult with the district's chief financial officer on budget matters, a move that has raised concerns about governance structure. Rep. Traci Koster, the House bill sponsor, noted that the bill was born from the need for school board members to access necessary documents without being treated as public citizens. While some support the bill, others worry it may complicate relationships within school districts. The House bill is ready for a full vote, while the Senate version awaits further committee approvals.

INTERNATIONAL

Giant homework sheets go viral in China as parents seek fun ways to motivate children

Some parents in China are turning to giant-sized homework papers to motivate their children, a trend that has gone viral on social media while also dividing public opinion. Supporters say the oversized test sheets make studying more engaging and help children focus, with several parents reporting that their kids enjoyed the novelty and even asked for more. However, others say the approach backfired, with some children treating the huge papers as toys and becoming more resistant to studying once they realized it was homework. The debate comes amid ongoing efforts by the Chinese government to reduce academic pressure and encourage more balanced, “happy education” approaches, highlighting the tension between creativity in parenting and the country’s traditionally intense study culture.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe