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Florida
12th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida lawmakers face budget showdown

Florida lawmakers are convening today for a two-week special session to finalize a budget of approximately $115bn, following a regular session that ended without an agreement. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, both Republicans, are navigating significant disagreements over education funding, Everglades restoration, and tax cuts. “We will not be pushed by artificial deadlines,” Perez said, highlighting the tensions between the House and Senate. The House advocates for a leaner budget, while the Senate proposes a larger plan amid fears of federal funding cuts. The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the state's voucher system, arguing it diverts funds from public schools.

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.

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WORKFORCE

Broward schools cut 1,000 jobs

Broward County School Board has approved a plan to eliminate 1,000 job positions, aiming to save approximately $54m amid ongoing budget challenges due to declining student enrollment. Superintendent Howard Hepburn noted: "These 1,000 positions in our reduction is for a purpose, and that's to align our staff into our enrollment realities now and also in the future." The cuts include 300 filled positions and 700 vacancies, affecting various roles, including teachers and mental health counselors. Board member Adam Cervera expressed concern, remarking: "We cannot and should not cut any teacher or those folks who interact with our students on a day-to-day basis." The decision has sparked significant backlash from employees and advocates, who argue that the cuts will negatively impact student support and the overall functioning of the district.

Florida's top teacher finalists revealed

Kyndall Brown, an agriculture teacher at Harmony Middle School and Osceola County's Teacher of the Year, has been named one of five finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year. Chosen from 74 district teachers, the winner will be announced in July. 

FINANCE

Leon County Schools face financial crisis

The Leon County School District is facing a "financial crisis" due to rising costs, declining enrollment, and insufficient state funding. The school board is set to meet on May 11 to hear presentations from three companies that may assist in addressing these challenges. Board chair Marcus Nicolas noted: "We're just not growing as a district," highlighting the need for strategies to boost enrollment. The district has already implemented $7.8m in budget cuts, affecting arts, athletics, and staffing. One company, Caissa K-12, has successfully helped other districts increase enrollment and secure funding. Additionally, TPG Cultural Exchange aims to address the teacher shortage by connecting districts with international educators. The Florida Educator Health Trust will also present solutions for managing rising health care costs.  

DISTRICTS

Miami-Dade schools face potential closures

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is considering closing or repurposing nine schools due to declining enrollment. The school board plans to vote on this proposal in June. Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn highlighted the financial impact, stating that the district has lost over 40,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a loss of over $30m in revenue. The current enrollment stands at 313,220, down approximately 13,000 from the previous year. This decline has been linked to Florida's expanded voucher program and fewer immigrant families moving to the area. Schools under consideration for closure include Parkway Elementary, Rainbow Park Elementary, and others, with some being combined into K-8 or 6-12 centers.

Orange County schools face closures

Seven schools in Orange County have closed this year, with the potential for seven more closures next year, raising concerns among residents. The primary reasons for these closures include Florida's expanded school voucher program, which has diverted students from public schools, and recent immigration policy changes that have led to enrollment declines. Aaron Lewis, co-founder and president of the Framily Support Network, emphasized that "a strong public education system cannot exist without a stable population of families who can afford to raise children." Lewis highlights a deeper issue: a declining birth rate and rising living costs, particularly housing, which are preventing families from growing. He says that without addressing both the educational system and the socioeconomic factors affecting family stability, the trend of school closures is likely to continue.

Empowering education in Jefferson County

Since 2000, the Jefferson County Education Foundation has been instrumental in providing vital resources to students and teachers in one of Florida's smallest school districts. The foundation has funded classroom grants, STEM programs, and essential supplies to bridge the resource gap faced by rural schools. Co-Chair Dr. Glyndell Presley emphasized the foundation's mission, stating: “It’s been very important in this rural county… we provide many grants to teachers where they’re able to focus on English, math, science, STEM… we also look at resiliency and career and technical education.” Over the past two decades, the foundation has generated over $173m in funding, directly benefiting teacher initiatives and student enrichment.  

Empowering fathers: Team Dad initiative

Team Dad, a program initiated by the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition, is now integrated into the Wakulla County School system to support fathers with young children. Launched in 2023, the program aims to provide essential resources and educational tools to help fathers navigate their roles. The program meets fathers on their schedules, offering monthly meetings to ensure they receive the necessary support. Kendrick Harris, Fatherhood Program Coordinator, emphasized the broader impact of father-focused programs, believing they can significantly improve community dynamics.

Flagler Schools earns conservation honor

Flagler Schools has been designated as a Guy Harvey Conservation District for the 2025-26 school year, highlighting its dedication to environmental education. This recognition involves teacher professional development, experiential learning, and environmental leadership. Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation, said: “We are inspired by the work and commitment of the educators and schools in Flagler Schools that, through the Guy Harvey Conservation Education Program, promote marine science and strengthen conservation education.” The program provides educators with resources and training, enabling them to become Guy Harvey Conservation Educators. Currently, Matanzas High School and Wadsworth Elementary School are recognized as Guy Harvey Conservation Schools, with 15 district educators also acknowledged for their contributions.

LEGAL

Texas sues Netflix over alleged child data collection and addictive design

Netflix is facing a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleges the streaming company secretly collected and sold user data, including information relating to children, while publicly claiming it did not track or share viewer information. The lawsuit also accuses Netflix of using “dark pattern” features, including autoplay, to encourage addictive viewing behavior. Texas claims Netflix built an advertising business using consumer data despite previously positioning itself as an alternative to data-driven technology platforms. The complaint seeks civil penalties, restrictions on targeted advertising without consent, and the deletion of allegedly improperly collected data. Netflix had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

HIGHER EDUCATION

U.S. colleges report sharp decline in international students amid visa crackdown

U.S. colleges and universities are reporting a significant drop in international student enrollment following stricter immigration and visa policies introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to a survey conducted by NAFSA and other international education organizations, new foreign undergraduate enrollment fell by an average of 20% this spring compared with the same period last year. The survey, which included responses from 149 US institutions, found that 62% of schools experienced lower international enrollment across both undergraduate and graduate programs. Colleges identified restrictive government policies as the primary cause, with 84% citing visa and immigration measures as the main factor behind the decline. International students are a major source of tuition revenue for many universities because they often pay full tuition rates. Education leaders warned that sustained declines could create financial pressure for schools already facing domestic enrollment challenges caused by demographic shifts. More than one-third of surveyed institutions said the enrollment decline could result in budget cuts.

New student loan rules shake up families

Major changes to federal student loan rules will take effect on July 1, prompting families in Southwest Florida to reconsider their college funding strategies. The U.S. Department of Education aims to simplify repayment and reduce excessive borrowing, stating: "Beginning this summer, the Department will implement commonsense loan limits on how much students and parents can borrow." These reforms, stemming from President Donald Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act, include new borrowing caps and a new income-driven repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Kimberly Cahalan, a mother from Estero, emphasized the importance of scholarships and grants to minimize debt, saying: "We basically tried whatever we could do to not have him have debt." Borrowers are urged to act quickly, especially Parent PLUS borrowers, to avoid losing access to certain repayment options. The Department of Education reports that the average federal student loan debt is nearly $40,000 nationwide, with changes continuing through 2028.

Astronaut inspires at Florida Tech

Nearly 2,000 students graduated from Florida Tech during the Spring Commencement ceremonies. Retired shuttle astronaut Winston Scott delivered the keynote address, sharing his experiences in space and inspiring graduates. Florida Tech President John Nicklow emphasized the importance of a positive attitude, commenting: "Your attitude is the key to your success." The event celebrated the achievements of the graduates and highlighted the university's commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico abandons early school closure plan tied to heat and World Cup

Mexico’s government has reversed plans to end the 2025–2026 school year almost six weeks early after criticism from parents, educators, and the public. The Ministry of Public Education confirmed that the academic year will now end on July 15 as originally scheduled, following discussions with state education authorities and intervention from President Claudia Sheinbaum. The ministry had previously announced that schools would close on June 5 due to an expected extreme summer heat wave and Mexico’s role as a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. The proposal would have shortened the school year by around 40 days and created an 87-day gap before the next academic year began on August 31. Education Secretary Mario Delgado said maintaining the original calendar would provide stability for families and protect students’ right to a complete education. The school year will now overlap with much of the World Cup tournament, which runs through July 19.

Advocates push for national school meal scheme across Australia

Calls are growing for Australia to introduce a nationwide free school lunch program, as educators and nutrition experts warn that food insecurity is affecting students’ health, concentration, and academic performance. Australia is one of the few high-income countries without a universal school meal program, unlike nations such as Japan, Sweden, and Estonia. Advocates say expanding access to nutritious meals could improve educational outcomes and reduce inequality among students. The push follows the success of Tasmania’s School Food Matters initiative, founded by Julie Dunbabin in 2020. The program currently delivers around 21,500 cooked meals each week to 60 public schools across the state, supported largely by approximately A$14.6m ($10.56m) in state government funding over the past two years.

AND FINALLY...

Georgia teacher wins Tony Award for championing storytelling and student empowerment

Freddie Hendricks, a middle school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, is receiving a special Tony Award for his contributions to education. With over 30 years of experience, Hendricks has inspired numerous students, including Tony-nominated Saycon Sengbloh and Kenan Thompson from "Saturday Night Live." He stated: "It feels really great to know that they're succeeding on that level and that I had a little to do with it." The Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, recognizes educators who have made a significant impact on students' lives. The award includes a $10,000 prize for Utopian Academy and a master class for Hendricks' students. Hendricks emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and storytelling in his teaching, stating: "In here, this is a safe space. You're loved in here." His dedication to empowering students through theater is evident in his approach to education.
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