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Florida
28th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida teachers face pay crisis

Florida ranked 50th in average teacher pay for the third consecutive year, according to National Education Association data, underscoring a deepening educator pay crisis. Average salaries rose slightly to $56,663 in 2025-26, but inflation-adjusted pay has fallen 12.4% over the past decade. Florida also sits near the bottom nationally as U.S. public school teachers earned an average of $74,495, though real national earnings remain nearly 5% below 2017 levels. Funding pressures are adding strain, with Florida per-student spending down nearly $300 since 2019 while federal support remains a small share of school revenue. Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, warned: “When public dollars are diverted away from public schools, and teachers can’t afford to stay in the profession, it’s students who lose.”

USE ASSESSMENT DATA WITH CONFIDENCE

From Assessment Data to Instructional Impact

Turn assessment results into instructional plans that support stronger literacy outcomes. School leaders across Florida are looking for ways to provide teachers with ongoing insight into student learning while minimizing disruption to classroom instruction. With increasing expectations around early identification, progress monitoring, and effective intervention, educators need accurate and timely information that reflects student progress. Using this insight, school leaders can help address unfinished learning, focus instructional support, and strengthen instruction across classrooms and schools.  

Explore how timely, accurate insight into student learning supports instructional planning, ongoing progress monitoring, and more purposeful instructional decisions that lead to stronger literacy outcomes for students across Florida schools.

Explore Data Insights

 

STATE NEWS

Florida lawmakers tackle AI regulations

Florida lawmakers are convening in Tallahassee for a crucial special session to address artificial intelligence regulations, among other issues. Governor Ron DeSantis has called for this four-day session to revive the proposed “AI Bill of Rights,” which aims to establish consumer protections for AI interactions. The bill, which previously stalled in the House, seeks to impose restrictions on AI technologies, particularly “companion chatbots.” It includes provisions for parental control over minors' use of AI and mandates transparency regarding AI interactions. DeSantis emphasized the urgency of the legislation, stating: “We cannot afford to wait for Washington to act.” However, House Speaker Daniel Perez has expressed resistance, advocating for a centralized federal approach to AI regulation instead.

DeSantis pushes for vaccine opt-out

The DeSantis administration's initiative to eliminate Florida's vaccine requirements has yet to materialize, with a previous proposal failing to gain traction. Governor Ron DeSantis is calling lawmakers back to Tallahassee to discuss a “medical freedom” bill, similar to one that previously stalled. House Speaker Daniel Perez has expressed concerns, especially amid a measles outbreak, stating: “It's tough for me to all of a sudden allow for children in schools to not have the measles vaccines.” The proposed legislation would allow parents to opt-out of vaccine mandates based on personal beliefs, expanding current exemptions. Meanwhile, a new survey found vast majority of Floridians support maintaining vaccine requirements in public school. About eight out of every 10 Florida voters say they support keeping current vaccine safeguards in place, according to the poll by McLaughlin & Associates.

LEGAL

SCOTUS declines parents' appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from parents seeking to sue a public school district over the handling of their child's gender identity. The case involved the parents of a nonbinary student at Deerlake Middle School in Tallahassee who claimed that school officials violated their 14th Amendment rights by not disclosing their child's name and pronoun changes. The court's decision follows similar cases in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Maryland, highlighting ongoing disputes regarding the privacy of transgender and gender non-conforming students. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously upheld the dismissal of the case, stating that the school officials acted to support the child rather than with intent to harm. The school board's guidelines have since been updated to align with Florida's 2021 law on parental rights, which emphasizes the need for disclosure unless there are concerns of abuse or neglect.

LEGISLATION

Chaz Stevens challenges book bans

Chaz Stevens, a South Florida activist, is challenging Florida's school book laws by donating and then formally objecting to his own satirical work, "The Trump Bible." This maneuver exploits a gap in state law regarding authors challenging their own material. Stevens said: "I’m filing on author-standing grounds, a question the 2024 amendment did not resolve." His book, which parodies biblical passages alongside references to President Donald Trump, aims to provoke discussions about censorship and the potential use of AI in book evaluations. He expressed concern that AI could flag objectionable content without context, citing a recent incident in the UK where nearly 200 books were removed from a school library due to AI-assisted reviews. Stevens plans to release the full work on June 14, coinciding with Trump's birthday, as part of a broader campaign against book bans.

DISTRICTS

Protest erupts over teacher cuts

Outrage over proposed teacher cuts and budget changes is leading to a protest outside the Lee County School District headquarters tomorrow. Parents, teachers, and residents are concerned about staff non-renewals, program cuts, and the future of arts education amid a projected $46.7m shortfall. Katie Peterson, a parent liaison, expressed her concerns about relocating students from Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, stating: "It was clear the school district hadn't considered the challenges our kiddos actually had when they made the decision to move them." Critics argue that the district's budget realignment is affecting classrooms and community resources. The district has reassured the public that elective opportunities will remain, but skepticism persists as many fear cuts to arts programs and staff positions. The budget gap is attributed to rising costs and declining enrollment, prompting calls for transparency in decision-making from district officials.

Teachers rally for fair pay

In Naples, Collier County teachers gathered outside the district's administrative building after their crucial meeting regarding teacher pay was postponed due to a board member's medical emergency. The meeting was intended to finalize pay for the 2025-2026 school year. Despite the delay, teachers expressed their frustration, arguing that one member's absence should not hinder the process. The Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) has been negotiating with the Collier County Education Association (CCEA) since June, offering a maximum raise of 3%, which many teachers find insufficient. CCPS proposed a 1.1% raise for new teachers, 1.8% for effective teachers, and 3% for highly effective teachers. CCEA President Kenneth Mouton criticized the offer, stating that it does not provide a livable wage for many educators.

Broward weighs major job cuts

Broward County School Board is set to decide on a reorganization plan cutting at least 856 district positions, including 353 filled roles, as officials respond to declining enrollment and an $80m budget gap. Superintendent Howard Hepburn said the plan aims to “right-size” staffing while protecting instruction and direct student services. After pushback, 22 ESE-related cuts would be restored. Board member Adam Cervera criticized the proposal, saying it “disproportionately impacts our lower-level staff” while sparing some administrators.

Students rally for teacher pay raise

A group of students from Jupiter Community High School has initiated a petition and social media campaign advocating for increased teacher salaries ahead of a Palm Beach County School Board vote in early May. The petition has garnered over 2,000 signatures and is supported by an Instagram page featuring testimonials from students about their teachers' positive impact. In early April, Superintendent Mike Burke rejected a proposed 3.5% pay raise, offering instead a 1.5% raise and a one-time bonus.

GOVERNANCE

West targets District 5 seat

Cynthia West is shifting her campaign focus to the District 5 seat on the Okaloosa County School Board, previously held by Brett Hinely, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. West, a mental health counselor, said: “This is bigger than any one seat. It is about whether we have a School Board willing to do the hard work and make the tough decisions our students deserve.” She has raised nearly $83,000 for her campaign, while Hinely has not reported any financial contributions. West emphasized the need for a responsive School Board, addressing issues like student safety and transparency. The nonpartisan School Board election is set for August 18, with potential runoffs on November 3 if necessary.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan eyes AI-ready education

Private-sector members of a Japanese government advisory panel have called for a major overhaul of the country’s education system to better prepare students for an AI-driven economy, urging a shift away from memorization and standardized learning toward skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning. The panel warned that current teaching methods emphasize abilities that AI can already perform well, creating a mismatch with future workforce needs and potentially weakening Japan’s competitiveness, particularly as the country faces a declining population. The proposals align with the government’s broader strategy to drive growth through investment in key sectors including AI, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supporting efforts to regularly update education to reflect technological change.
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