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Florida
13th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Career education, improved data tracking, drive higher graduation rates at BIE schools

High school graduation rates at schools overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) have reached a record 79%, up from just over 50% in 2015, driven by improved data reporting and local initiatives such as expanded career and technical education. BIE officials said standardized graduation tracking introduced in 2018 has produced more accurate reporting by eliminating errors that previously counted transferred students as dropouts. At the same time, many tribally operated schools have introduced programs that better align with students’ interests and career goals. At Washington’s Chief Leschi Schools, for example, graduation rates rose from 53% in 2019 to 87% in 2025 after the school expanded career-focused learning, while Choctaw Central High School maintained a virtual learning option that administrators said helped increase graduation rates. Despite the gains, tribal leaders and education advocates warned that ongoing federal changes, including the transfer of Native education programs to the BIE, staffing reductions, and broader restructuring under the Trump administration, could strain the agency’s resources and jeopardize future progress.

NATIONAL NEWS

Absence data sharpens school response

A new report from the American Enterprise Institute suggests school districts can better address chronic absenteeism by analyzing unexcused and excused absences separately, rather than treating all missed school days the same. Using Indiana attendance data from the 2015-16 through 2023-24 school years, researchers found that chronic absenteeism is driven disproportionately by unexcused absences, which are more common among students from historically disadvantaged groups, including students living in poverty, and Black and Hispanic students. The report also found that unexcused absences tend to increase during the spring and are more likely to occur after a student has already accumulated several missed days. Researchers argue that distinguishing between absence types could help schools identify at-risk students earlier and target interventions more effectively. While chronic absenteeism has declined in many states since its pandemic-era peak, rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for more focused strategies to improve student attendance.

Court rules on religious school funding

A federal appeals court has determined that private religious schools in Maine receiving public funds must adhere to state anti-discrimination laws. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that these schools cannot discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. This decision followed challenges from Saint Dominic Academy and Bangor Christian Schools, which sought exemptions from the Maine Human Rights Act. The court upheld a lower court's ruling, stating, “Just as combatting religious discrimination qualifies as a legitimate governmental pursuit, so too combatting sexual-orientation and gender-identity discrimination rises to that level.” The ruling emphasizes that while religious schools can maintain their religious identity, they must not discriminate against students based on these criteria. The case may influence future rulings, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a related case this fall.

STATE NEWS

Florida's education choice hits milestone

Florida's tax credit scholarship program, initiated by Gov. Jeb Bush 25 years ago, has evolved significantly, now supporting over 540,000 students with more than $5bn in funding annually. The program allows corporations to donate to scholarships for low-income families instead of paying state taxes. Last year, contributions reached $656 m from 164 donors. Despite facing challenges, including a recent state audit revealing unaccounted funds, the program is set to expand further. "Students will be able to use those scholarships toward private or public education supports," said Step Up For Students, the organization managing the program. Meanwhile, legal challenges persist, with some educators and parents questioning the program's constitutionality.

Cybersecurity gap endangers Florida schools

In Florida, a significant cybersecurity gap continues to threaten the safety of student data. A 2018 breach exposed records of about 50,000 individuals, and the situation has not improved since. Kenneth Thomas, a technology advisor, emphasized that "the law still has not caught up," as current regulations do not mandate cybersecurity programs for schools. A recent study by the Center for Internet Security revealed that 82% of K-12 schools experienced cyber incidents. Despite the risks, Florida law only protects state agencies and municipalities, leaving schools vulnerable. As schools increasingly adopt AI tools, the potential for data breaches grows. Thomas advocates for accountability and proactive measures, urging Florida lawmakers to extend existing cybersecurity standards to schools. "Your child's school should not need its own breach before someone builds that oversight," he stated.

DISTRICTS

South Florida schools ace ratings again

All school districts in South Florida received "A" ratings for the 2025-2026 school year, as reported by the Florida Department of Education. This marks the third consecutive year for Palm Beach and Broward County districts, while Miami-Dade achieved this for the seventh time. Monroe County also celebrated its second consecutive "A" rating. However, despite these successes, the five largest districts, including Miami-Dade and Broward, have lost approximately 67,000 non-charter students from the 2023-2024 to the 2025-2026 school years, prompting discussions about potential school closures. 

School leaders build playground magic

In Kissimmee, over 100 school leaders volunteered to enhance Flora Ridge Elementary School by constructing a new playground and making campus improvements. The school, which is around 17 years old, needed a playground upgrade, as the existing equipment was worn out. April Knight, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, noted the pride in the volunteers’ commitment, saying: “It makes me so proud that there are people that want to do this.” The initiative marks the kickoff of the National School Leaders Conference, which runs from today until July 15th at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, bringing together school leaders to discuss educational advancements.

GOVERNANCE

Lange vs. Rosario: A school board showdown

In the upcoming Indian River County School Board election, Tom Lange, a former teacher and technology specialist, is challenging two-term incumbent Jacqueline "Jackie" Rosario. The district has achieved remarkable success, ranking fifth in Florida under Superintendent David Moore, who was named Florida's superintendent of the year in 2024. While Lange emphasizes academic and vocational success, Rosario has faced criticism for her focus on culture-war issues and has never been elected board chair. "It's tough to overlook her lack of focus on academic issues the past eight years," the editorial board noted. Lange's experience in education and technology positions him as a strong candidate, and the editorial board recommends him for the role.

TECHNOLOGY

Revolutionizing education with VR

Melissa Morriss-Olson, chief executive of the American University of Greece Global Campus, highlights an innovative EdTech initiative by Arizona State University (ASU) in collaboration with Dreamscape Immersive. This partnership has led to the development of avatar-based virtual reality experiences that immerse students in narrative-driven learning environments. The original concept, partly developed by Steven Spielberg, focuses on endangered animals and allows students to actively engage in problem-solving within a virtual world. Research from ASU indicates that students using Dreamscape Learn achieved higher grades and course completion rates compared to those in traditional classes. "Students become active participants in a virtual world where they investigate problems," said Morriss-Olson, emphasizing the transformative potential of this technology in education.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Summer meals keep kids fueled

Two schools in Gadsden County are providing free breakfast and lunch to students until July 30th as part of the summer feeding program. Stewart Street Elementary School and Havana Magnet School are open to serve meals to students of all ages, including those from Gadsden Technical Institute. Robert Harris, a counselor at Stewart Street, emphasized the program's importance, stating, "Food is expensive, parents struggling, in some cases kids might not eat dinner."

HEALTH & WELLBEING

National summit seeks to improve health and safety in K-12 school facilities

Five national organizations are launching the inaugural Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit to create a health-first agenda for America’s schools and develop recommendations for healthier K-12 learning environments. The summit, scheduled for August 5 in Washington, D.C., will bring together leaders in public health, education, facilities management, and philanthropy to address issues including school modernization, indoor air quality, healthy building materials, emergency preparedness, lighting, acoustics, and technical assistance. Organizers plan to produce actionable recommendations to guide future policy and investment decisions affecting school facilities. The initiative comes as school districts continue to face aging infrastructure, poor indoor environmental quality, and climate-related challenges. Organizers note that the average U.S. school building is nearly 50 years old, the nation faces an estimated $90 billion annual school infrastructure investment gap, and poor indoor air quality contributes to about 14 million asthma-related missed school days each year. The event is supported by the National Education Association, the Environmental Working Group, and IQAir.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Faith leader opposes college ban

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero argues that Florida’s ban on undocumented students attending public colleges undermines both economic opportunity and Christian values. He says students educated in Florida schools should be able to continue contributing through careers, service and higher education. Salguero writes that “human dignity always does” matter, even when laws remain important. He contends the state can enforce immigration rules while still investing in young people who grew up locally, warning that closing college doors wastes prior public investment and weakens Florida’s future workforce.

INTERNATIONAL

Yukon panel recommends formation of new education authority

A Yukon education review panel is calling for policy changes to reduce political interference in schools, arguing that parents who lobby elected officials directly often receive preferential treatment, undermining fairness, trust, and established decision-making processes. The panel recommends a stronger quality assurance system and clearer complaint pathways, while Education Minister Scott Kent acknowledged the concern, defended the department's staffing and funding, and said the government is open to restructuring school governance, including creating a new education authority. Yukon education leaders and First Nations representatives broadly welcomed the recommendations but stressed that meaningful reform will depend on the government's willingness to implement long-discussed changes.
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