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Florida
13th April 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Manatee School Board considers 'political activism' ban

The Manatee County School Board is deliberating a policy that would restrict teachers from displaying items such as pro-LGBTQ+ rainbow stickers and political materials on school grounds. The proposal has ignited discussions about what constitutes "political activism" and its potential conflict with legal protections. School Board Member Richard Tatem advocated for the ban, expressing concern that such displays could make students with traditional views uncomfortable. Conversely, Member Charlie Kennedy argued that these displays do not represent political activity. Heather Felton cautioned that the policy might infringe upon the Equality Florida v. DeSantis settlement, which safeguards Gay-Straight Alliances and teachers' rights to display personal photos. Pat Barber, President of the Manatee Education Association, deemed the new language "unnecessary," asserting that teachers are already aware of existing policy limits.

SCHOOL CHOICE

A solar-powered town redefining education choice

Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town, is rapidly growing and developing a diverse and innovative education landscape to match its forward-looking identity. With a population of around 15,000 and plans to expand significantly, the Florida community offers families a wide array of K–12 options, including public charter schools, homeschooling, and emerging microschool models. Public charter schools like Babcock Neighborhood School and Babcock High School emphasize project-based learning, appealing to families seeking hands-on, experiential education. At the same time, new alternatives such as Primer, a private microschool network blending structured learning with flexibility, are gaining interest among parents looking for more personalized approaches. Florida’s education savings account programs play a key role in enabling this variety, giving families roughly $8,000 per student annually to customize learning through private tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, or hybrid models.

WORKFORCE

Maryland teacher pipeline program boosts diversity

A long-running study of Maryland’s Teacher Academy program shows that encouraging high school students to pursue teaching can significantly strengthen the educator pipeline and improve diversity, but additional support is needed to ensure participants return to teach in their home districts. The program, which offers high school coursework in education, classroom experience, and college credit, increased the likelihood of participants becoming teachers by 45% and slightly boosted their earnings. It also helped narrow racial gaps in entry into the profession, though disparities remain, and relatively few students overall ultimately became teachers. However, the study found that many participants, particularly Black students, did not return to work in the districts where they trained, often opting for higher-paying or more diverse districts elsewhere. Researchers emphasize that while “grow-your-own” programs can attract more diverse candidates, retaining them locally requires stronger mentorship, earlier hands-on teaching experiences, and better guidance on college pathways.

DISTRICTS

Escambia middle schools ranked top for academic acceleration

Michael Roberts, the Escambia County School District Director of Middle School Education, highlights the impressive achievements of middle schools in Florida. Last year, these schools were recognized as number one in the state for Middle School Academic Acceleration, outperforming others in Advanced Biology and Algebra. Roberts said: "It's an achievement we all can be proud of and we need to celebrate together." The schools have consistently ranked in the top 10 for the past four years, with Workman Middle School leading the way.

Broward schools tackle screen time issue

Months after Broward schools initiated a program to provide every student with a take-home laptop, the district is now addressing concerns about excessive screen time. The School Board approved a measure to inform parents about the amount of time students spend on district-issued devices and the activities they engage in. "This for me is the first step in a series of actions that I think we as a board can take to protect public education," said School Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi. The data is expected to be available for the next school year. Concerns about screen time's impact on children's academic and social skills have been raised nationally, with studies indicating that excessive solitary screen time can lead to communication and adjustment issues.

GOVERNANCE

Edmond secures endorsements in Pinellas School Board race

Caprice Edmond, a member of the Pinellas County School Board, is receiving significant backing for her re-election campaign from various labor groups and prominent officials. Endorsements include the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, Service Employees International Union, and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. Richard Pauley, President of IAFF 747, praised Edmond's dedication, stating she has “honorably served the students and citizens of Pinellas County.” Castor commended Edmond's commitment to access and equity in public education, emphasizing her efforts to ensure opportunities for all students.

Cathy Moon's campaign gains momentum

Cathy Moon is officially running for the District 1 seat on the Flagler County School Board, having received certification for her candidate petition from the Supervisor of Elections office. “I'm grateful to every resident who signed my petition and to the volunteers who helped make this certification possible,” Moon said. With this milestone achieved, she plans to engage with families, educators, and community stakeholders to discuss her priorities, which include enhancing student achievement, ensuring a safe school environment, and promoting responsible budgeting. Moon is competing against former School Board member Jill Woolbright for the position.

Hillsborough closes K-8 school

The Hillsborough School Board has announced the closure of a K-8 school, impacting approximately 300 students and their families. This decision coincides with plans for a new charter school to open within a mile of the closed facility, raising concerns about educational continuity and resource allocation. School board member Jessica Vaughn has expressed skepticism regarding the decision, questioning the logic of closing a public school while establishing a charter institution. The community is now awaiting further details on the transition process, including potential reassignments for affected students and the implications for local educational resources and staff.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Speed cameras for Santa Rosa schools

Santa Rosa County Commissioners have approved the installation of speed detection systems in school zones to curb speeding, with fines set at $100 for violations. A study at East Bay Elementary School revealed that 75% of drivers exceeded the speed limit by over 10 mph. This initiative follows a 2023 Florida law permitting such systems in school zones with speed limits of 20 mph or below. The county will now seek a vendor to implement the system, aiming to enhance student safety and reduce costs associated with deploying deputies.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Empowering students through internships

The Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) launched its 11th year on April 7, connecting high school students with employers for valuable job experience. Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), emphasized the program's impact, stating: "Students are graduating with a high school diploma, industry credentials, and solidified internships." Last summer, 3,661 students completed the program, with a goal of reaching 4,000 this year. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava noted the importance of internships for community and economic growth. The program, supported by various partners, offers internships to 10th- to 12th-grade students, allowing them to earn high school and potential college credit. Melanie Monge, an 11th grader, shared her positive experience interning at Big Kids of America, highlighting the unique opportunities the program provides. M-DCPS and its partners invested $7m in the initiative, which benefits both students and the community.

LEGAL

Teacher arrested for shocking allegations

Rudolph Infante, a teacher in Miami-Dade County, has been arrested for allegedly sexually battering a student multiple times. Following the allegations, Infante was placed on house arrest and ordered to stay away from schools and the victim. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) stated that they are disturbed by the allegations and have initiated employment termination proceedings against Infante, ensuring he will not work with the district again. Infante faces five charges, including four counts of battery and one count of offenses against students by authority figures, with a bond set at $14,000. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated as it runs contrary to the professional conduct we expect from all employees,” said a spokesperson for M-DCPS.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU's graduate programs soar in rankings

Florida State University (FSU) has achieved remarkable success in the U.S. News & World Report's 2026 edition, with its College of Law reaching its highest ranking ever at 14th among public law schools and 34th overall. Six graduate programs were ranked No. 1 in Florida, including the College of Nursing's doctor of nursing practice program, which climbed to 21st overall. FSU President Richard McCullough said: "These rankings show the strength of Florida State across the board," highlighting the university's commitment to delivering quality education. The College of Law's ranking reflects its excellence in various indicators, including bar passage rates and faculty resources. FSU's graduate programs continue to demonstrate their quality and impact, with 16 programs in the Top 25 among public universities.

INTERNATIONAL

Growing trend of staff undermining school leadership

A new Australian report highlights the growing problem of “upward bullying,” whereby employees undermine or intimidate their managers, warning that it is becoming a significant risk in schools and other organizations. The study found that 71% of senior leaders have experienced such behavior, 93% say it has damaged their confidence, and two-thirds report serious negative impacts on performance and wellbeing. Experts argue that upward bullying is often misunderstood as routine workplace conflict, allowing it to persist unchecked. Unlike healthy dissent, which is direct and evidence-based, upward bullying typically involves persistent, indirect behaviors such as questioning authority publicly, withholding information, and building informal alliances against leaders. Over time, these patterns can erode authority, delay decision-making, and increase stress and burnout among leaders. To mitigate the issue, schools should focus on identifying behavioral patterns rather than isolated incidents, set clear expectations for professional conduct, and strengthen leadership capability in managing these dynamics.
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