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Florida
12th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida schools unite to cut costs

With Florida's school districts facing declining enrollment and budget cuts, many are joining the Florida Educator Health Trust (FLEHT) to reduce health insurance premiums. About a third of the state's 67 districts have opted for this self-insured model, which has reportedly saved Hendry County over $3m in just two years. Mike Swindle, the superintendent of Hendry County, said: "It has been an absolute economic benefit to our district and to our teachers." While some employees have noticed lower prescription prices, Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, expressed concerns about the overall effectiveness of FLEHT in addressing healthcare costs. The initiative aims to expand to 30 districts by the end of the year, with plans for local clinics to further reduce costs for employees. Despite progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding family coverage affordability. Spar emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to tackle the underlying issues in education funding.

NATIONAL NEWS

Special education complaints rise 46% across 31 states

Written state complaints involving special education increased 46% across 31 state education agencies, rising from 7,907 in the 2024-25 school year to 11,523 in 2025-26, according to a survey by the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. The organizations said continued underfunding of special education, personnel shortages, and declining confidence in the federal Office for Civil Rights may be contributing to the increase, as families increasingly turn to state-level complaint processes. The federal civil rights office has reduced its workforce and closed seven of its 12 regional offices, including its California office, limiting capacity to investigate discrimination complaints. A Government Accountability Office report found that the office received more than 9,000 complaints between March and September 2025 and resolved 7,072 during that period, primarily by dismissing 90% of them.

Education Department revives research funding

The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences is restarting competitive education research grantmaking after more than 15 months of delays and cancellations, with roughly $250m in fiscal 2027 funding planned across three waves. The new approach will concentrate grants in areas including STEM, literacy, low-incidence disabilities, and workforce transitions, while organizing researchers into hubs designed to create more coordinated bodies of evidence. However, significant funding uncertainty remains: as of June 30, IES still had access to roughly $223m in fiscal 2025 funds that could expire after September 30, while more than $450m in fiscal 2026 funding had yet to be released by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Researchers have welcomed the resumption of grants, but questions remain about whether IES, which lost 161 employees early in the second Trump administration, has sufficient capacity to administer the new programs and prevent previously appropriated funding from lapsing.

STATE NEWS

School choice sparks fierce competition

As thousands of students in Southwest Florida return to school, families face the significant decision of which school to choose. The expansion of Florida's universal school choice program in 2023 has provided public funding and scholarships for private schools and homeschooling to every school-age child in the state. "Since we pulled to homeschool, I have seen my children blossom," said Ali Locke, a former teacher and homeschool mom. School districts are adapting to this shift, with Lee County losing about 2,000 students last year to alternative education options. Lee County School District Superintendent Denise Carlin emphasized the need to compete for students, stating: "Parents are making choices, and so what we want to do is we want to make sure that our product is the best." Meanwhile, Collier County is ramping up its marketing efforts to retain students.

CYBERSECURITY

School ransomware threat eases

Ransomware attacks against U.S. educational institutions fell 44% to 34 in the first half of 2026, compared with 61 in the second half of 2025, according to cybersecurity research firm Comparitech. Globally, K-12 attacks declined 26%, while attacks on higher education institutions increased by more than 8%. Despite the overall decline, the U.S. accounted for 33% of the 104 education-sector attacks recorded worldwide, and incidents continued to cause class cancellations, system outages, and data breaches. Comparitech cautioned that only 36 of the 104 global attacks were confirmed by the affected institutions, with the remaining 68 based on ransomware groups’ claims.

POLICY

New rules for student devices

As the 2026-2027 school year approaches, parents and students in Lee County must familiarize themselves with new electronic device policies. A law enacted in 2025 mandates stricter cell phone regulations to enhance student learning and wellbeing. Lee County schools have implemented a "bell-to-bell" ban, requiring students to keep devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, stored away during school hours. A survey conducted in 2025 revealed that 85% of parents supported these new rules, according to a Lee County school board member. Other counties, such as Hendry and Desoto, have similar restrictions, with varying degrees of leniency. Parents are advised to consult their school's handbook for specific guidelines.

CHARTERS

Charter schools retain appeal among Florida families

Florida charter schools continue to attract families, with enrollment increasing by more than 50% over the past decade, even as vouchers emerge as the state’s fastest-growing education option. A statewide poll conducted by Republican-leaning National Victory found generally higher favorable than unfavorable views of charter schools, particularly among Black and Hispanic respondents, with supporters citing stricter discipline, academic focus, and greater flexibility. However, charter schools are also facing enrollment and financial pressures, with four Hillsborough County schools closing this summer, while advocates argue that state testing, annual school grades, and teacher certification requirements continue to distinguish charters from voucher-supported alternatives.

DISTRICTS

Personalized learning earns A grades

Superintendent Michael Maine announced that Martin County schools received back-to-back A grades for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, attributing this success to teachers and administrators who have shifted to personalized learning methods. Maine described this approach as a "game changer," emphasizing the importance of small-group instruction tailored to individual student needs. This data-driven strategy allows educators to quickly identify learning gaps and provide targeted support. Despite facing budget constraints, the district has maintained regular class sizes while enhancing engagement through innovative teaching methods. Maine expressed confidence in the district's readiness for the upcoming school year, with nearly all teaching positions filled and steady student enrollment of approximately 16,000. Additionally, the district is rebuilding Murray Middle School after tornado damage, with completion expected by December 2027.

Early screening boosts support for kids

Pasco County Schools have implemented a new kindergarten screening survey to identify children needing extra assistance. The survey, which assessed about 4,500 incoming kindergartners, revealed over 100 children required additional potty training and nearly 150 had other learning needs that might have gone unnoticed. "It really has enabled us to engage families that may have potential disabilities or health concerns," said Melissa Musselwhite, executive director of student support programs and services. The district aims to proactively support these children, ensuring they receive appropriate services and placements. Superintendent John Legg emphasized the importance of addressing these needs early, remarking: "It's a huge step in the right direction, because we're able to identify them early and get them placed." The district achieved an 86% response rate for the screener, which will help streamline future assessments.

Affordable housing project approved in South Dade

The Miami-Dade School Board has approved a significant project to build over 360 units of workforce and affordable housing on a school site in South Dade. This initiative follows the merger of Pine Villa Elementary with Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts, leading to the creation of a K-12 campus. The developer, Atlantic Pacific Communities, will lease the land for 99 years, providing the school district with $12.7m. The agreement emphasizes a "workforce housing preference" for eligible teachers and district employees, allowing them first priority for leasing the units. The project aims to serve households earning 60% to 80% of the area median income and is expected to begin construction in November 2029, with completion by late 2031.

Miami-Dade schools debate turf choice

Miami-Dade’s school board will establish a committee to compare artificial turf with natural grass, examining health, environmental and long-term financial effects. The review follows concerns from parents, teachers and students about excessive heat, injuries, microplastics and drainage. Supporters of artificial turf argue that it requires less irrigation, fertilizer, and maintenance and remains usable after heavy rain. The panel will include health experts, environmentalists, students and parent-teacher representatives, with recommendations expected in December. However, planned artificial turf installations will continue during the review.

GOVERNANCE

School board showdown: Colón vs. Condon

Ruben Colón, the incumbent on the Volusia County School Board, is seeking a third term against challenger Dean Condon in the upcoming election on August 18. Colón, a certified respiratory therapist and medical records analyst, emphasizes his achievements, including raising the graduation rate from 76% to 98% in Deltona schools. He stated: "Our graduation rate in Deltona was 76% in 2017 and 2018. We're up to 98% for our Deltona schools." In contrast, Condon, a nonprofit executive, argues that the district's disciplinary policies are causing teachers to leave and that many students graduate without basic competencies. He proposes a pilot program to improve student behavior and emphasizes the need for better teacher pay.

Flagler County School Board elections heat up

With the Flagler County School Board primary elections approaching, incumbent Will Furry faces a challenge from Rob Wood, while Ron Long and Trevor Tucker contest Chair Christy Chong for District 4. The vacant District 1 seat, left by Derek Barrs, sees Cathy Moon and Jill Woolbright competing. Wood, a former higher-education administrator, criticized the board's "dysfunction" and aims to restore stability. He said: "I want to run to bring some stability, decorum back to the board." Wood supports school choice but calls for stronger accountability in funding. He emphasizes the importance of campus security, asserting, "We can find the funds. We can do what we need to do to keep our kids safe." The elections are pivotal for the future direction of the district.

EARLY EDUCATION

Public pre-K boosts student success

New research from Florida International University reveals that students attending public school pre-K outperform their peers in family-based childcare throughout their academic careers. The 20-year study, led by Charles Bleiker, followed 400,000 Miami-Dade County public school students and found that those in public pre-K4 scored higher on standardized tests and maintained better grades into high school. Bleiker stated, “It really tests the idea that having better-trained teachers or better curricula actually helps these kids.” The study emphasizes the importance of teacher qualifications and early socialization in a structured environment, suggesting that public pre-K programs provide a significant advantage in preparing children for future academic success.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Students fight back against FIU

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and other legal groups have filed a lawsuit against Florida International University (FIU) for disciplining seven students involved in a silent protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on campus. Nicholas Warren, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Florida, said: "Florida's colleges and universities are meant to be places for debate, disagreement, and discussion." The students, known as the ICEBreakers, protested during a university event, expressing their concerns over FIU's collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit aims to challenge the university's disciplinary actions, which the students believe infringe on their freedom of speech. Plaintiff Katya Tripathi expressed disappointment over the need for legal action, claiming: "I chose FIU because I thought it would be a place where everyone could be expressive." The students are united in their fight for their rights and are prepared for a lengthy legal battle if necessary.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education ban has excluded 2.4m girls from school

An estimated 2.4m Afghan girls have been barred from secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, according to UNESCO, making Afghanistan the only country where girls and women are formally prohibited from secondary and higher education. Secondary schools were closed to girls in March 2022, followed by a ban on women attending universities that December, with both restrictions remaining in place despite initially being described as temporary. UNESCO estimates the education bans could push 600,000 Afghan women out of the workforce by 2066, result in $9.6bn in cumulative income losses, increase the risk of early marriage, and contribute to a shortage of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030. The restrictions are adding to broader strains on Afghanistan’s education system, where more than 2m primary-age children are already out of school for other reasons, more than 90% of 10-year-olds cannot read a simple text, and nearly half of schools lack water, sanitation, or heating.

South African education leaders call for Mathematical Literacy to be scrapped

Former South African Education Minister Naledi Pandor has called for the country to rethink Mathematical Literacy, arguing that the subject has encouraged students to abandon core mathematics and reduced overall participation in the subject. Pandor said Mathematical Literacy should instead provide basic numerical skills to all students, while alternative levels of mathematics could accommodate students with different abilities. Her position aligns with former mathematics education professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, who has argued that Mathematical Literacy offers limited value for university admission and creates incentives for schools to move struggling students away from mathematics to improve overall performance.
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