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America’s growing political divide between young men and women is increasingly visible inside schools, according to educators, researchers, and students who say gender-based polarization is reshaping classroom discussions, friendships, activism, and even dating among Generation Z. The divide became especially clear during the 2024 presidential election, when young women strongly backed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris while young men leaned significantly more toward President Donald Trump. Teachers across the country said those divisions are now surfacing in classrooms. Some educators reported that girls speak openly about concerns surrounding safety, rights, and equality, while boys increasingly question whether gender inequality remains a significant issue. Others described growing defensiveness among male students during discussions about feminism and social justice. The divide is also affecting relationships and social interactions. Polling cited in the article found that Gen Z places greater importance on political compatibility in dating than older generations, while teachers observed girls becoming more hesitant to socialize romantically with boys holding opposing political views. Researchers cautioned that the long-term effects of the divide remain unclear.

 

The 74

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Florida has been ranked last in academic growth for reading, according to the Education Scorecard, a collaboration between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. The report highlights that Florida students are nearly 0.7 grade equivalents below 2019 levels, with chronic absenteeism remaining a significant issue. “Now that the federal relief is gone, Florida should focus school improvement dollars on the middle and higher poverty districts that remain behind their pre-pandemic levels,” the report stated. The findings indicate that the learning recession began in 2013, long before the pandemic, as student progress in math and reading stalled. Professor Tom Kane noted, “The ‘learning recession' started a decade ago, after policymakers switched off the early warning system of test-based accountability.”

 

The St. Augustine Record

Local10

During a recent event in Tampa, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins presented his "Florida Families First" education plan, aimed at enhancing parental rights and addressing federal overreach in education. "Florida's families need a Governor who truly understands the classrooms," Collins said, emphasizing the need for practical leadership. His plan, known as Operation (F3), focuses on three key areas: cybersecurity to protect children from AI, providing educational choices for parents, and promoting career opportunities in agriculture. Collins criticized the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as a "bureaucratic nightmare" that burdens taxpayers. He is competing in the Republican primary against U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and others, with the primary scheduled for August 18.

 

The Floridian

The Orange County School Board has decided to place a special property tax on the November ballot, but rejected a proposal to allocate funds for teacher raises. Superintendent Maria Vazquez emphasized the need for the tax revenue, approximately $230m annually, to maintain current programs and staff, stating: "We may not have deans... we may have schools sharing art teachers." The board voted 5-3 in favor of the tax without specifying teacher pay, despite some members advocating for it. The tax, initially introduced 16 years ago to prevent layoffs, has been consistently approved by voters. With significant enrollment declines leading to a loss of $41m in funding this year, the district anticipates similar losses next year. If approved, the tax is expected to generate about $261m annually for the next four years.

 

Bradenton.com

Miami-Dade voters will determine this fall whether to maintain a property tax that supports teacher salaries and enhances school security. The tax, which has been approved twice before in 2018 and 2022, is crucial for the Miami-Dade school system, including charter schools. Superintendent Jose Dotres emphasized that the tax has helped keep teacher salaries competitive, ranging from $60,000 to $70,000. He warned that if the referendum fails, "teacher salaries would drop significantly," jeopardizing the budget once the current approval expires next year. The tax, equating to one "mil," costs homeowners approximately $177 annually based on the median taxable value of homes in the area. This tax represents about 6% of the total tax bill for various services.

 

The Miami Herald

Inika Williams, Ed.D., highlights the growing concerns among Leon County residents regarding the school district's spending priorities and transparency. The community is questioning whether proposed financial commitments, including a half-penny sales tax renewal and a property-tax increase, will lead to improved student outcomes. Williams stated: "Leon County Schools is not only facing a budget deficit. It is facing a trust deficit." Residents are demanding accountability and a clear connection between spending and results, emphasizing the need for the district to prioritize urgent capital needs while addressing broader concerns.

 

Tallahassee.com

Tiffany Bryant, an education and mental health professional, is running for a seat on the Palm Beach County School Board, aiming to enhance academic standards and parental involvement. Motivated by her own challenges in accessing educational resources for her children, Bryant said, “Every student should have consistent access to the support they need to succeed.” Her platform emphasizes literacy, teacher support, parental rights, and accountability. With a doctorate in international relations and extensive experience in education and government, she is well-equipped for the role. Bryant is competing against several candidates, including former Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Anthony Hamlet and former Boynton Beach Commissioner Christina Romelus, in the nonpartisan race scheduled for the Aug. 18 Primary ballot.

 

Florida Politics

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has approved targeted rezoning changes for the 2026-27 school year, affecting a small number of students in the Apopka area. District 7 School Board member Melissa Byrd described the adjustments as a "cleanup" of existing attendance boundaries rather than a large-scale rezoning. The changes will impact portions of the Kelly Park, Wolf Lake, and Zellwood school areas, with 105 students being reassigned—92 elementary and 13 middle school students. Byrd emphasized that the adjustments aim to improve feeder patterns and utilize school capacity more effectively, stating, "It made it so these two neighborhoods, all the kids went to the same school." The changes are also expected to enhance transportation efficiency by potentially eliminating a bus route.

 

The Apopka Chief Newspaper

Suncoast Credit Union contributed $50,000 to Polk Education Foundation programs supporting supplies, literacy, school grants, and classroom resources across Polk County. Funding included $25,000 for the Free Teacher Market, $15,000 for school-based grants, $5,000 for AmeriCorps Polk Reads, and book vending machine support for two elementary schools. Several gifts were matched through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.

 

Midfloridanewspapers

On May 15, students at Sarasota High School celebrated their graduation at Cleland Stadium, marking a historic achievement with a record graduation rate. Principal Ryan Chase announced that the previous year's rate of 96.5% had been surpassed, making 2026 the school's highest-ever graduation rate.

 

Sarasota Observer

The Brevard Schools Foundation is hosting the 14th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala on Sept. 19, 2026, at the Hilton Melbourne. This event aims to celebrate "student achievement, community impact, and three decades of transforming lives" through the Take Stock in Children program. The gala will showcase inspiring success stories made possible by mentorship, scholarships, and educational support, helping Brevard County students pursue brighter futures. Attendees will recognize and support initiatives that significantly impact local students and families.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

In response to the growing shortage of healthcare workers in South Florida, Miami Dade College (MDC) and Jackson Health System have partnered to establish the Health Science Collegiate Academy, set to open in August 2027. This new high school will provide students with a direct pathway into various medical fields, including nursing and healthcare administration. The academy aims to start with 75 students and expand to 200 per graduating class, allowing students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate of arts degree.

 

The Miami Herald

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga found that Florida International University (FIU) may have infringed on the free speech rights of four students by investigating them over an offensive WhatsApp group chat. The chat reportedly contained numerous variations of the N-word and violent threats against Black individuals. Although the judge acknowledged the students' claims of "self-censorship," she dismissed their lawsuit for now, allowing the university to complete its disciplinary inquiry. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding free speech on college campuses, especially with a new Florida law set to take effect in July that could lead to harsher penalties for students promoting groups labeled as "terrorist." The students' attorney, Anthony Sabatini, expressed concerns about "irreparable harm" already incurred by the students.

 

The Florida Times-Union