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Florida
1st May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Phone policies aid teacher retention

Restricting student cellphone use during school hours is increasingly being viewed as a tool to improve teacher recruitment and retention, with 29% of district recruiters now citing such policies as beneficial, up from 20% a year earlier, according to an Education Week Research Center survey of 270 recruiters conducted in late 2025. Although 59% of districts report having cellphone policies that have not yet affected recruitment outcomes, that figure has declined from 68% in 2024, suggesting a growing perceived impact as more states adopt or encourage restrictions, with at least 37 states and Washington, D.C., now requiring or promoting limits on student phone use. Recruiters and school leaders say the primary advantage lies in reducing classroom disruptions, enabling teachers to spend more time on instruction and less on discipline, which helps lower stress, improve job satisfaction, and address key drivers of burnout—particularly among early-career educators—making schools more attractive workplaces beyond compensation considerations.

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

 

WORKFORCE

Florida teachers face pay crisis

The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association is currently negotiating a new contract amid alarming findings regarding teacher pay in Florida. According to the National Education Association, Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher pay for the third consecutive year. The Florida Education Association (FEA) highlights that inflation has exacerbated the disparity between teacher salaries and living costs. A Gallup poll revealed that over 70% of teachers nationwide are working second jobs to make ends meet. FEA President Andrew Spar urged state leaders to invest "at least one-thousand dollars more per student into our public schools for the next seven years," which he believes would elevate teacher pay to the top 10 in the nation. Despite ongoing discussions about education funding, Florida lawmakers have yet to pass a state budget, leaving uncertainty for school districts like Hillsborough County. The FEA attributes the decline in Florida's teacher pay ranking to the expansion of student voucher programs and the rise of online learning.

STATE NEWS

Florida schools to revive cursive writing

A new Florida law aims to enhance cursive writing instruction in public schools, starting in third grade. Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the law mandates that students demonstrate proficiency in cursive by fifth grade. The Broward School District noted that the new legislation would not require major changes, as cursive is already part of their literacy program. "It does, however, give us an opportunity to further strengthen and standardize how cursive is taught across our schools," said Fabian Cone, chief academic officer of Broward Schools. The law, SB 182, outlines specific skills for students, including letter formation and proper spacing. By the end of fifth grade, students should be able to write fluently in cursive. The law also introduces a mentorship program for educators at underperforming schools and requires portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in public schools.

DISTRICTS

Broward School Board faces credit-card scandal

The Broward County School Board is tightening its credit-card practices following an investigation by Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas into a $150 ticket purchase for a political fundraiser using public funds. Board Chair Sarah Leonardi confirmed that her secretary used a district-issued card for the purchase without her authorization, leading to her resignation. Leonardi said: "As has been my consistent practice, I made clear that these expenses would be paid from my personal and other non-district funds." The board also postponed a vote on cutting 800 jobs to address a $75m budget shortfall due to declining student enrollment, amid community concerns about the impact on mental health support for students. The board plans to revisit the job cuts on May 11.

FINANCE

Leon County Schools seeks millage increase

Leon County Schools is preparing a referendum for the November ballot to increase the ad valorem millage rate by 1 mill, potentially generating $26m for the district. This initiative comes as Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher salaries for the third consecutive year. The funds will be allocated to teacher salaries, school safety, and staff retention for programs like arts and athletics. Scott Mazur, President of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, emphasized the importance of investing in quality educators, stating: "We want to make sure there are great people with our kids." However, not all school board members support the proposal, with Alva Smith advocating for cost-cutting measures first. School Board Chair Marcus Nicolas noted that the funding would provide essential flexibility for the district. The proposed increase will require voter approval in November.

Crisis looms for OCPS

Orange County Public Schools is currently facing a significant financial crisis that is impacting both staff and students. The district has the lowest administrative costs per student among large urban districts, with 82% of the state’s per-student allocation directed towards school costs. Despite this, the district is projected to be $97.5m short this year, leading to cuts including the closure of seven under-enrolled schools and the elimination of 200 district positions. "It’s imperative that our community understands how so many factors are all coming together to create a perfect storm threatening public education," said Melissa Byrd, who represents District 7 on the Orange County School Board.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Breaking down barriers in education

In Southwest Florida, families navigating the education system for children on the autism spectrum face significant challenges. With diagnosis rates now at 1 in 31 children, local school districts are under pressure. Rebecca Lemieux, founder of Peters Academy, created a unique learning environment on a farm to better serve her son, stating, "The public school system did not do him justice at all." The Lee County School District is also adapting, moving towards a "Cluster School Model" to improve resource allocation. However, barriers remain, including a "diagnosis lag" that delays access to necessary services, as noted by David Brown, President of Family Initiative. Parents like Barbara Hunt emphasize the importance of fostering independence for their children, with local initiatives like Transition Work Study Hubs aiming to support this goal.

CHARTERS

New school champions LGBTQ acceptance

The Acceptance Academy Community School is pioneering a new educational model in South Florida, aiming to provide a safe and supportive environment for students who have faced challenges in traditional settings. "There’s great excitement about what we’re doing,” said Stephen Gaskill, president of the Acceptance Academy Foundation. The school addresses pressing issues related to LGBTQ rights, particularly in light of recent laws like the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act. Dr. Mindy Koch, the principal, emphasizes the importance of problem-based learning, which connects students with real-world issues to enhance their educational experience. A study by Glisten highlights that two-thirds of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school, which points out the need for such an initiative. Gaskill noted that the school aims to provide the same quality of education as any other, while catering specifically to the needs of marginalized students.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Rangeland High School unveiled in Manatee

The School District of Manatee County has officially named the new Lakewood Ranch school Rangeland High School. After gathering over 1,600 name suggestions from the community, the school board unanimously chose Rangeland, which reflects the area's history. The new high school, located at Post Boulevard and Rangeland Parkway, is set to open in August 2027, initially serving grades 9 and 10, with plans to expand to all grades by August 2029. The $144m facility will feature college-like lecture halls and advanced sporting areas. The district will announce the school's principal and mascot details later this summer.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles cases surge as summer nears

Florida has reported 149 measles cases in 2026, ranking fourth in the nation. The CDC warns that as summer travel increases and vaccination rates decline, more cases are expected. "More than 70% of the victims were under the age of 19," the CDC stated, highlighting the urgency of vaccination. The state’s vaccination coverage among kindergartners has dropped to 88%, raising concerns about community immunity. Measles, a highly contagious virus, can lead to severe complications, especially in unvaccinated individuals. The CDC recommends the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses. As the summer approaches, health officials urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to prevent further outbreaks.
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