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Florida
24th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Asian teachers face hiring barriers

A February study suggests school hiring practices may be shaping the racial makeup of the U.S. teacher workforce by disadvantaging non-white candidates, especially Asian American applicants. Using data from more than 46,000 applications across districts and charter organizations between 2019 and 2024, researchers found Asian candidates were less likely to advance at every stage and ultimately received offers at about half the rate of other groups. Even after accounting for stronger credentials, including more experience and advanced degrees, disparities persisted. Dan Goldhaber, Director of the Center for Education Data & Research, said: “They look like better candidates on paper,” yet were still less likely to be hired, raising concerns about bias and structural barriers in teacher recruitment.

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STATE NEWS

Florida tackles new college athletics rules

Florida's public university leaders are navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly regarding Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation. A newly formed task force, chaired by Ken Jones, aims to address the financial and legal uncertainties surrounding NIL. Jones emphasized that: "Florida cannot afford to wait for Washington to settle the issue," highlighting the urgency of the situation. The task force will explore policies to align with federal laws while ensuring Florida remains competitive with other states. With the potential for revenue-sharing agreements, Jones estimated that the NIL marketplace could generate between $3bn and $5bn annually for Florida schools. The task force will also focus on educating athletes about contracts and personal branding, ensuring long-term stability in college sports.

TEACHING

Cursive: The key to literacy success

Florida is prioritizing the science of reading and structured literacy, as recent data shows it ranks low in post-pandemic reading recovery. Eric Olsen, chief executive of Learning Without Tears, emphasized that cursive writing is crucial for enhancing spelling, writing fluency, and cognitive skills. "Cursive is easy to teach and learn," he said, highlighting its benefits in developing fine motor skills and writing speed. The proposed SB 182 aims to establish cursive as a core literacy skill, ensuring consistent instruction across the state. While some critics worry about increased testing, Olsen argues that proficiency can be assessed through authentic student work. Ultimately, cursive not only aids academic performance but also boosts students' confidence and enjoyment in learning.

DISTRICTS

Hillsborough schools face election dilemma

Hillsborough County School Board members are urging residents to reject a proposed referendum that would allow voters to elect the District’s Superintendent. Critics, including Board member Lynn Gray, argue that this shift could prioritize fundraising and name recognition over educational qualifications. Gray stated: “When you have an elected Superintendent, you may find that a certain curriculum may be subtracted or added upon that person’s political background — and that’s a dangerous situation.” Vice Chair Nadia Combs echoed these concerns, warning that elections could turn the position into a “popularity contest.” Both members emphasized the importance of experience in leading a large District like Hillsborough, which serves over 200,000 students. They expressed skepticism about the proposal's support among voters, with Gray noting, “We’re getting a pretty good feel that the public is very much against an elected (Superintendent).”

New school plans spark community interest

Orange County is set to host a community meeting to discuss plans for a new two-story K-5 private school in Horizon West. Windermere Preparatory School is exploring a site for this expansion, which aims to accommodate 880 students and include sports fields. The proposals include reducing framework streets and adjusting siting standards to meet specific site conditions. The Change Determination Request will be reviewed by the Development Review Committee before being presented to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for a final decision.

FINANCE

Budget cuts loom for Leon County Schools

The Leon County School Board is contemplating budget cuts to address a financial shortfall, with Superintendent Rocky Hanna proposing reductions to save approximately $7.8m. The closure of the Leon Virtual School is no longer on the table as the board prepares for a final vote on March 24. Hanna stated: "It looks like we're finally landing the plan on this budget reduction issue," acknowledging the challenges faced by the district due to decreased state funding and rising operational costs. The revised cuts include reductions in district center salaries and benefits, as well as funding for arts and athletics programs. Board member Rosanne Wood emphasized the importance of allowing principals to make staffing decisions based on their schools' unique needs.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Why schools are embracing third spaces for connection

Schools can play a critical role in replacing declining “third spaces”, informal social environments like parks or malls, by intentionally designing areas such as libraries, hallways, and commons to support students’ social and mental well-being. With rising loneliness among young people, these flexible, voluntary spaces can foster connection, improve academic outcomes, and provide low-pressure environments for interaction. To achieve this, designers are encouraged to create multifunctional, accessible environments that incorporate natural elements, comfortable “resimercial” materials, and inclusive layouts, while integrating smart systems and robust technology infrastructure. The goal is to transform underused school areas into adaptable community hubs that support collaboration, relaxation, and engagement, positioning schools as central spaces for both learning and social connection.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Food allergies: A growing concern

Approximately one in 10 children and teens in the U.S. has a food allergy, a condition that has increased by 50% since the 1990s. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the importance of collaboration among parents, pediatricians, and schools to ensure the safety of children with food allergies. "Avoiding allergic reactions means being prepared for allergic emergencies," the AAP states. Schools are encouraged to maintain open stocks of epinephrine and train staff on cross-contact protocols. Diagnosis involves detailed assessments and may require evaluation by a board-certified allergist. An Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan is crucial for managing allergies, especially in school settings, where children spend significant time.

Principal's mission: Smiles for all

In Pompano Beach, Principal Colleen Stearn of Cross Creek Elementary School is dedicated to her students' well-being, emphasizing the importance of dental health. “I'm a firm believer where there is a will, there is a way,” Stearn said, highlighting the challenges many children face in accessing dental care. With 74% of Florida dentists not accepting Medicaid, many families struggle to afford dental visits. To address this, Stearn turned to Facebook, leading to an overwhelming response from the community. Dr. Justine Bons of Smile Perfect Deerfield offered free dental services, while Nadine Theis from Navy's Sweet Addictions bakery began donating personalized cakes for students' birthdays.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Bomb threats disrupt Volusia County Schools

On Monday, four high schools in Volusia County received coordinated bomb threat emails, prompting an increased law enforcement presence. The Sheriff's Office confirmed that the threats were not credible, ensuring the safety of students and staff.

Speed traps ahead

Charlotte County will start issuing citations for school zone speeding violations on April 1, as the warning phase of its speed enforcement camera program concludes on March 31. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 10 mph will receive a $100 citation notice by mail within three days of the violation.

Fort Myers tackles traffic woes

The City of Fort Myers is enhancing road safety through an automated traffic enforcement program managed by RedSpeed Florida. The initiative will focus on school zones and traffic lights to deter speeders and red-light runners.

HIGHER EDUCATION

DOE portal to disclose foreign funding in universities

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online portal requiring colleges and universities to disclose foreign funding, aiming to improve transparency and enforce compliance with federal reporting laws. The initiative, tied to Executive Order 14282, comes amid concerns over foreign influence in U.S. education, with $72.1bn in funding already disclosed across 559 institutions, including $5.2bn reported in 2025 alone. The department also released data showing more than 8,300 foreign funding transactions in 2025, with Qatar the largest source at $1.1bn, followed by countries including the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, and Japan. Officials emphasized that institutions have a legal obligation to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000, while critics have long argued that enforcement has been insufficient.

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian teachers and support staff launch first strike in 13 years amid pay dispute

Up to 35,000 teachers and education staff staged a 24-hour strike across the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday, rallying in Melbourne’s CBD and forcing around 500 public schools to close or significantly reduce operations in the first such action in 13 years. Organized by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the protest highlighted growing frustration over pay, workload, and staffing shortages, with some schools shut as entire teaching cohorts walked out. The strike comes amid protracted enterprise bargaining negotiations that began about eight months ago, with the union seeking a 35% pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and better classroom and mental health support. The Victorian government has offered an 18.5% increase, including an immediate 8% rise for teachers and 4% for support staff, followed by annual 3% increases and a 1.5% overtime allowance. It added that it had made efforts to avoid the strike and urged the union to prioritize minimizing disruption to students, noting that negotiations are ongoing.

AND FINALLY...

No “s” in sight: Homework mix-up misses the moms

A Reddit post featuring a schoolgirl's marked homework has gone viral, amassing over 20,000 upvotes in less than 24 hours. The post shows a journal entry where the word "moms" was corrected by a teacher, who struck through the "s," indicating a misunderstanding of the child's family structure. User JeweledApplePie said, “It's not a huge deal it's just, mildly infuriating." A 2024 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 18% of LGBTQ adults, approximately 2.57m people, are parenting children under 18. The incident sparked a lively discussion, with many commenters urging understanding for the teacher's potential oversight, while others highlighted the broader implications of such mistakes on children from diverse family backgrounds.
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