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Florida
14th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Professors cheer court ruling on WOKE Act

Professors in Florida are expressing relief following a federal appeals court's decision to uphold a preliminary injunction against the "Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act." Zachary Leverson, an associate professor at Florida International University, said: "It's quite welcome," emphasizing that state government should not dictate classroom content. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against enforcing parts of the law, which aimed to prevent perceived indoctrination in university settings. Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the ruling, claiming it allows ideological corruption in state universities. The majority opinion, authored by Judge Britt Grant, argued that exposure to differing ideas is not discrimination but an opportunity for growth. Meanwhile, Robert Cassanello, president of the United Faculty of Florida, noted that the ruling affirms that instructors are the content experts, not lawmakers. Despite the positive outcome, concerns about potential future restrictions remain.

NATIONAL NEWS

Lawsuit seeks to preserve $1 billion school mental health initiative

A coalition of 15 Democratic-led states, including California, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, and Rhode Island has sued the Trump administration over plans to end funding for a $1bn federal grant program that supports school-based mental health services. The states argue the U.S. Department of Education is unlawfully attempting to terminate the grants despite a court order issued in late 2025 that blocked an earlier effort to end the program. The grants, established by Congress following the 2018 Parkland school shooting and expanded after the 2022 Uvalde tragedy, have helped schools hire and train mental health professionals, providing services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. The administration has argued the grants conflict with its policy priorities because of alleged links to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while the states contend the funding is essential for supporting students' mental health and that the administration lacks the authority to revoke it.

STATE NEWS

Floridan's financial struggles revealed

The United Way Suncoast's research highlights the financial struggles faced by many Florida families, revealing that 47% of households fall under the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) category. Kourtney Sanchez, chief executive of United Way Suncoast, stated, "Florida now ranks fourth in the country for the highest percentage of ALICE households." The report indicates that a family of four with two children in childcare needs to earn over $106,000 annually to cover basic necessities. In Pinellas County, this figure rises to over $114,000. With 12% of Florida's 9m households living in poverty and 34% below the ALICE threshold, the report emphasizes the urgent need for community support. Meg Jenkins from Sulphur Springs YMCA noted the importance of addressing not just children's needs but also those of their families. Sanchez called for awareness among employers and policymakers to create solutions for financial stability.

Florida PTA makes history with Bruno

Jude Bruno has made history by being elected as the first Black man, first Haitian American, and first millennial president of the Florida Parent Teacher Association (PTA) during the 2026 Florida PTA Leadership Convention. This significant milestone marks a new era for the organization, which has been advocating for public education and family engagement for over a century. Bruno, who has a long history of advocacy, stated: “To now serve as President of Florida PTA is both humbling and deeply meaningful.” His election comes at a crucial time when there is a push for greater diversity among educators in Florida, particularly among Black male teachers, who represent only about 1.5% of the state's educator workforce. Bruno aims to strengthen local PTAs, elevate the voices of parents and educators, and advocate for policies that promote educational success and child well-being.

TECHNOLOGY

Researchers urge schools to redesign assignments for the AI era

While concerns about students using artificial intelligence to cheat remain widespread, a new survey suggests educators are increasingly worried about a deeper issue: determining whether students have genuinely learned the material. The survey, conducted between spring 2025 and spring 2026, gathered responses from 303 Wisconsin educators and 132 school professionals nationwide. Although academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misinformation, bias, and data privacy ranked among the top concerns, nearly half of Wisconsin respondents and more than half of national respondents said AI makes it harder to assess what students actually understand. Many also reported concerns that students are becoming overly reliant on AI, potentially weakening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The findings suggest schools should focus less on detecting AI use and more on designing assignments that demonstrate authentic learning. The report also notes that relatively few school districts have formal AI policies, highlighting the need for clearer guidance on when and how students should be permitted to use AI in their coursework.

AI tools may hinder student motivation

AI is often seen as a tool to enhance teaching effectiveness, but a recent study reveals it may actually undermine student learning. "Teachers, just like students or coders, might be using AI as a crutch," said Alp Sungu, lead author and assistant professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. The study, "Generative AI Can Harm Teaching," found that students taught by teachers using AI tools reported lower motivation and enjoyment in classes. This effect was particularly pronounced among students of weaker instructors, who scored lower on standardized exams. Sungu noted that while AI can generate materials, it may lead to a loss of personal teaching style, making lessons less engaging. The findings suggest that simply having access to AI does not guarantee improved teaching; instead, it may require careful integration to preserve human creativity and judgment in education.

AI schools: the future of education?

Over the last decade, Alpha School has expanded from a single campus in Austin, Texas, to over 15 locations nationwide, including major cities like New York and San Francisco. Co-founder MacKenzie Price expressed her frustration with the "one-size-fits-all" education model, advocating for personalized AI tutoring that adapts to individual student needs. While AI tutoring shows promise, with studies indicating improvements in student achievement, there is no definitive evidence that AI surpasses human tutors. Gerald K. LeTendre from Penn State emphasized the importance of supporting teachers in utilizing AI effectively, stating: "Instead of considering a future where AI tutors replace human teachers, we need to think about what kind of support can help teachers make the most of these new tools." The article highlights the potential of AI in education while recognizing the complexities involved.

DISTRICTS

Volusia County Schools earns an A

Volusia County Schools has achieved an A grade, with 64% of the total points needed for this rating. However, the district faces declining enrollment, raising questions about the effectiveness of its educational strategies. Donna Brosemer highlighted that while the district's graduation rate has improved to 95.6%, many students are not performing at grade level. "We graduate 40%-50% of students who are not reading and doing math at grade level," she noted. The district's partnership with Richard Milburn Academy (RMA) has been criticized for potentially gaming the system by moving students unlikely to pass state tests to RMA, which has a graduation rate of 77% but only 2% proficiency in reading and math. The Florida accountability system, while intended to promote high performance, may inadvertently encourage practices that prioritize grades over genuine learning.

OCPS launches online enrollment platform

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) launched an online enrollment platform on July 1, enabling families to register students remotely on any device. The platform, which supports 10 languages, allows users to upload necessary documents without visiting a school office, significantly reducing paperwork. While training staff for the new system has posed challenges, the district is optimistic about their adaptation. "Families can create an account, submit an application and upload required documents," said OCPS. For those who prefer in-person enrollment, options remain available at schools or the Student Enrollment Office.

GOVERNANCE

Collier County School Board races heat up

In Collier County, the school board elections have seen significant developments, with only one seat contested. Kelly Mason, the sole candidate in District 3, has been reelected by default, expressing her gratitude for the support she received. "We have accomplished so much in this first term," she said, emphasizing her commitment to the board's five priorities: Academic Excellence, Safe Learning Environments, Fiscal Responsibility, Recruitment and Retention, and Communication and Engagement. In District 1, newcomer Jeff Donaldson qualified unopposed, while the District 5 race remains active, with Timothy Moshier seeking reelection against challenger Ford Dalusma. Moshier aims to continue his "Back to Basics approach," focusing on fiscal responsibility and core priorities.

Procurement meeting faces delays

The Leon County School Board has rescheduled its construction meeting to July 27 after it was initially set for June 15 and then July 13. The cancellations were due to a lack of quorum and concerns regarding adherence to Florida's Sunshine Law. Board member Alva Smith raised issues about the lack of notice for a previous meeting involving two board members, stating: "Female members were not invited, nor were we aware, nor was it noticed." Assistant Superintendent Rod McQueen emphasized the importance of public discussions to address these concerns. The upcoming meeting will be livestreamed and aims to include the same topics and participants as the April 29 discussion.

STEM

FPL awards scholarships to bright students

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) recently awarded scholarships to outstanding students at Manatee Lagoon, aimed at supporting their educational pursuits in STEM and energy-related fields. Anjan Kumar Sangam, a 2026 SECME Scholarship winner, expressed gratitude, saying: “This support helps ease the financial burden of college and opens the door to opportunities that I didn’t think were possible.” FPL’s commitment to education includes the NextEra Energy Scholarship for Students in SECME, benefiting economically disadvantaged students. Kate Cotner, FPL's director of community engagement, emphasized the importance of investing in students' futures, statingl: “By supporting STEM education and workforce development, we are helping create opportunities that strengthen both our communities and Florida’s economy.”

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Construction boom in Leon County Schools

The Leon County Schools District is actively engaged in extensive renovations and infrastructure projects this summer, funded largely by a half-penny sales tax that generates approximately $30m annually. Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, "Without the sales tax revenue, the district would need to identify other funding sources for projects." A ballot on November 3 will ask voters to extend this sales tax, originally implemented in 2002, for another 15 years. Major projects include renovations at Griffin and Raa Middle Schools, with costs reaching up to $12.4m for the new cafeteria at Griffin. Other improvements across various schools include HVAC renovations, playground equipment replacements, and more.

New schools on the horizon

A proposed master plan for South Lake County includes a $214m high school and a $47m elementary school to accommodate the growth of new neighborhoods. The discussion is set for Monday, highlighting the community's commitment to expanding educational facilities. "These new schools will play a crucial role in supporting our expanding population," said a local official.

INTERNATIONAL

EU pushes for bloc-wide child safety rules on social media

The European Commission is preparing to propose a bloc-wide minimum age for social media access, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlining plans for a "social media start date" that would generally prevent children under 13 from accessing platforms unless supervised by a parent or caregiver. The proposal, expected after the summer, would introduce phased access for older teenagers, with platforms required to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and safe before restrictions are eased. The initiative follows mounting pressure from several EU member states, including France, which have argued that social media companies have failed to adequately protect children online and, in some cases, have already introduced national restrictions. While most major platforms officially require users to be at least 13, regulators acknowledge that these limits are frequently bypassed. Alongside the proposed age restrictions, the European Commission is developing an age verification app that would allow users to confirm their age without sharing unnecessary personal information with platforms.

AND FINALLY...

Student engineers transform classroom pastime into aviation achievement

A team of aerospace engineering students from the University of Pisa has set a new Guinness World Record by building and flying the world's largest paper airplane. Named Icarus, the aircraft measured more than 23 feet long, had a 65.75-foot wingspan, weighed about 63 pounds, and glided nearly 200 feet during its record-setting flight at the We Make Future technology expo in Bologna, Italy. The project, developed in collaboration with engineering content creator Jakidale, evolved from students folding paper airplanes between classes into a months-long engineering challenge involving computer modeling, prototype testing, and aerodynamic design. The successful flight surpassed the previous record set by Germany in 2013, returning the Guinness title to Italy for the first time in more than a decade.
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