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Florida
6th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida teachers union sues over vouchers

The Florida Education Association (FEA) has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, claiming that the disparity in funding between public and private schools receiving taxpayer vouchers violates the state constitution. The lawsuit, supported by parents and civil rights organizations, alleges that nearly $5bn in taxpayer funds are directed to private institutions that lack the same oversight as public schools. FEA President Andrew Spar said, “With this lawsuit we are simply asking for accountability, transparency and a basic set of educational standards.” The lawsuit also highlights that public schools face extensive regulations, while private schools operate under significantly fewer. The legal challenge follows the 2023 expansion of voucher programs, which critics argue has led to public schools being “asked to do more with less.”

FREE STATE READING PROGRAM

Florida Students Benefit from Free State Reading Program  

Florida students enrolled in New Worlds Reading are seeing promising literacy gains, according to state assessments. The free program delivers high-quality books and literacy resources to students who need extra reading support, with enrolled students scoring up to 15% higher on their state tests than their eligible, not enrolled peers last spring. With books and resources delivered directly to students’ homes and no additional lift for educators, New Worlds Reading helps districts extend instruction beyond the classroom, strengthen at-home reading practice, and improve literacy outcomes.

Explore how New Worlds can support your district’s literacy goals.

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Teachers favor classroom insight over standardized testing

A new EdChoice survey of over 1,000 K–12 teachers finds that educators primarily rely on direct communication with students (58%) and classroom observation (52%) to assess student success, while traditional metrics such as tests, quizzes, and homework rank lower (44%), and standardized tests are used by just 17%. Teachers also view student reflections and completed projects as the strongest indicators of “durable skills” like teamwork and adaptability, whereas parents place relatively more emphasis on standardized testing. The findings reflect a broader shift toward valuing social-emotional learning and soft skills over purely academic metrics. Despite mixed sentiment about the state of education nationally, teachers report more positive views within their own classrooms, with many expressing purpose and optimism, although over a quarter feel overwhelmed and only 22% would recommend the profession. The survey also highlights concerns around technology, with strong support for online learning tools but widespread opposition to cell phones and growing skepticism toward AI, which most teachers believe should be approached cautiously even as students develop critical thinking skills for its use.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Pandemic weakened children’s self-regulation

Recent research published in the journal Child Development highlights a decline in children's executive function skills due to the pandemic. Executive function encompasses cognitive abilities such as attention control and goal-directed behavior, which are crucial for success in school and life. The study, part of the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H), analyzed data from over three thousand children aged three to eleven from 2018 to 2023. Lead researcher Stephanie M. Jones, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, noted: "Understanding children's behavior demands that we think about children's experiences." The findings suggest that educators should consider the impact of the pandemic on children's behavior and support the development of executive function skills through positive interactions and relationships.

WORKFORCE

Students rally for teacher pay raise

A student-led initiative at Jupiter High School is gaining traction as the Palm Beach County School Board prepares to vote on teacher pay raises. Juniors Hannah Russell, Sawyer Tinsley, and Samuel Gilbert have gathered 4,500 signatures on their petition, aiming for 5,000 before the vote. Teacher Lily Gilbert shared her son's emotional response, saying: "He had tears in his eyes and he looked at me and he's like, 'Mom, why?'" The district has proposed a 1.5% recurring raise and a 1.5% one-time bonus, citing a $66m budget shortfall. Teacher Alicia Grantham emphasized the importance of the board's decision, stating: "We give more than 100%, and we're not even worth 3.5%." The school board vote is scheduled for today, with teachers encouraged to voice their concerns at Veterans Park on Tuesday.

Retention strategies for local teachers

In Indian River County, Superintendent David Moore emphasized the district's commitment to teacher retention, stating: "Our number one strategy is retention." The district aims to hire locally, currently facing only 20 to 25 teacher vacancies for the upcoming school year. While the starting salary for new teachers is around $49,000, Moore acknowledged that "regardless of what they're being paid anywhere it’s not enough." To enhance teacher pay, the district has cut approximately $7m from its office budget and consolidated schools to improve funding.

Teacher's contract non-renewal sparks outrage

Gabriel Lopez, a kindergarten teacher at Terwilliger Elementary School, filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations after his contract was not renewed by the Alachua County School District. Despite receiving positive performance evaluations, Lopez claims he was terminated without explanation. District officials stated that non-renewals are typically due to certification issues or poor performance.

GOVERNANCE

Shaw aims to reshape education agenda

Chelyn Shaw, a longtime resident of Key Largo, has qualified to run for the District 5 seat on the Monroe County School Board, aiming to unseat incumbent Sue Woltanski. Shaw's campaign emphasizes a return to core academics and fiscal accountability, stating: "When outside influences enter the classroom, they can distract from learning and undermine parental trust." She advocates for parental rights, school choice, and partnerships with nonprofits to tackle issues like food insecurity.

DISTRICTS

School closures loom in Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is considering closing or repurposing nine schools due to declining enrollment, a trend mirrored by Broward County Public Schools. The school board will vote on the proposal next month. Dr. Steve Gallon noted a significant drop in student numbers, with over 100 fewer students in each of the affected schools over the past five years. The district attributes the closures to factors such as affordability, increased school choice, and a decline in immigrant enrollment, which has dropped from 10,000-15,000 students to about 3,000 this year. Gallon emphasized the need for viable educational programs, stating: “We have to make sure that we have educational programs that are viable.”

Wakulla students to broadcast sports live

Starting next school year, Wakulla County middle and high school students will have the chance to enroll in a sports broadcasting class, allowing them to live stream local athletic events. Scott Klees, the high school teacher for the course, said: "This course is another way to give students hands-on experience in sports broadcasting before they head to college." While the specific coursework is still being finalized, students will initially focus on live streaming football and volleyball games. 

FINANCE

Funding boost for Monroe County Schools

Congressman Carlos Gimenez announced a $3m federal grant for the Monroe County School District to restore the historic Reynolds School, which has been uninhabitable since Hurricane Irma. The funds will support design and construction efforts aimed at creating affordable workforce housing.

NUTRITION

USDA restructures nutrition programs as states advance school meal policies

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to relocate its Child Nutrition Programs from Washington, D.C., to Dallas as part of a broader restructuring of the agency’s food and nutrition operations. The move is tied to the creation of the USDA’s new Food and Nutrition Administration, which reorganizes several major federal nutrition programs into regional hubs. Under the restructuring, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will move to Indianapolis, while Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs will relocate to Kansas City. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the changes are intended to improve customer service and strengthen coordination with state and local governments that administer federal nutrition programs. The USDA said the reorganization will better align resources with the states and families served by the programs. At the state level, lawmakers in New York introduced legislation that would require schools to provide science-based nutrition education during the school day. The proposed curriculum would include lessons on the health effects of ultra-processed foods and the importance of healthy eating habits. The bill has been referred to the state Senate Education Committee. The proposal comes as ultra-processed foods face growing scrutiny nationwide, following updated federal dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to limit consumption of such products.

Charlotte County hikes school meal prices

Charlotte County Public Schools has announced an increase in school meal prices for the first time in 11 years. Breakfast prices will rise from $1.20 to $2.50, while elementary school lunches will increase from $2.40 to $3.75. Middle and high school lunches will now cost $4.15, up from $2.60 and $2.80, respectively. The district clarified that it is not profiting from these increases, as they will still charge below the federal reimbursement rate.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida's new history course shakes things up

Florida has introduced a new alternative to the Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History course, called the Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT), as part of its ongoing efforts against "ideological bias." This initiative, spurred by a state law passed in 2023, aims to provide high school students with options for earning college credit at Florida institutions. The pilot program will begin this fall, with the U.S. History course being the second FACT offering after College Algebra. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios "Stasi" Kamoutsas said, "The FACT U.S. History framework underscores our commitment to instruction grounded in the full scope of our nation's history." However, the impact of this alternative course on students remains uncertain, especially for those applying to out-of-state universities.

INTERNATIONAL

Australia weighs school lunch expansion

Advocates are calling for Australia to introduce a nationwide school lunch program, using a successful Tasmanian initiative as a model, to improve child nutrition and address rising food insecurity. The program, which currently delivers around 21,500 free meals per week across 60 Tasmanian public schools, has been linked to improved student behavior, attendance, and social outcomes, though a national rollout would likely require partial parent contributions of around A$5 ($3.58) per meal to remain sustainable. Experts say many students lack access to healthy food, which can negatively impact learning and well-being, and argue that a universal system, potentially with means-tested support, could ensure all children receive at least one nutritious meal per day while easing cost-of-living pressures on families.

AND FINALLY...

Mina Kimes named new host of Scripps National Spelling Bee

Mina Kimes has been named the new television host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, as organizers overhaul the broadcast in an effort to revive viewership and modernize coverage of the century-old competition. The ESPN NFL analyst, who becomes the bee’s first celebrity host since LeVar Burton in 2022, said she hopes to bring a “big-game feel” to the event by highlighting the preparation, pressure, and competitive intensity behind elite spelling. Kimes compared studying top spellers to analyzing football game film, emphasizing the discipline and mental strategy involved. Scripps has also hired a new production team led by “Jeopardy!” executive producer Michael Davies, who said the goal is to make the bee “bigger and more famous” by focusing coverage around the drama and stakes of the final rounds. This year’s competition, scheduled for May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., will feature 247 contestants competing for more than $50,000 in prizes. The broadcast shake-up comes as ratings have remained below historical highs, despite Scripps moving coverage from ESPN to its ION and Bounce networks in 2022.
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