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Florida
14th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida faces educator shortage crisis

Florida is grappling with a significant shortage of educators, with over 3,000 instructional vacancies reported as of August 4, according to the Florida Education Association (FEA). The total number of vacancies, including support staff, reaches 5,536. In Broward County alone, instructional vacancies increased to 358, while Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties also reported notable vacancies. Additionally, Florida's largest school districts have seen a decline of approximately 67,000 non-charter students from the 2023-2024 to the 2025-2026 school years. "FEA performs counts of advertised vacancies listed on school district websites twice a year," the report stated, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate staffing in schools. Sarah Perkel, a South Florida Connect Reporter, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure quality education.

NATIONAL NEWS

Nearly one in four U.S. students remains chronically absent six years after pandemic

U.S. public schools continue to struggle with elevated chronic absenteeism six years after the pandemic began, with 22.6% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2025, down about one percentage point from the previous year but still substantially above the roughly 15% recorded before COVID-19. Data collected from 45 states by the free-market-oriented American Enterprise Institute think tank indicates that attendance is gradually improving, but researchers say pandemic-era changes to attitudes toward regular attendance have persisted and could make it difficult for schools to reverse declines in academic performance. Districts are increasingly pursuing efforts to bring students back to classrooms, including Los Angeles USD, where administrators have visited families to encourage attendance. Chronic absenteeism in the district declined to 27.7% last school year but remains above the 26% recorded in 2018-2019, illustrating the continuing challenge of returning attendance to pre-pandemic levels.

TEACHING

Revolutionizing education with Native American Studies

The Santa Rosa County School District has introduced a groundbreaking Native American Studies curriculum, developed over 1½ years with input from the Lower Muscogee tribe and local historians. This innovative program aims to educate K-12 students about the history, culture, and contributions of Southeastern Native Americans. Amy Parker, the district's Social Studies coordinator, emphasized the need for students to understand the true foundations of their communities, stating, “We immediately saw a need for students to understand the foundations of our communities.” The curriculum includes immersive experiences, such as virtual reality tours of tribal lands and hands-on agricultural lessons. Chief Dan Helms expressed the importance of humanizing Native American history, noting: “We gave the school district the resources for the true Native American history in the Southeastern United States.” The initiative seeks to revitalize Native culture within the educational system and aims to share the curriculum with other districts across Florida.

GOVERNANCE

Villalobos ready to lead Miami-Dade schools

Rafael Villalobos, the newly appointed South Region Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, is preparing to take over from Jose Dotres. In a recent interview with the Miami Herald, Villalobos discussed key issues such as teacher salaries, school closures, and the integration of AI in education. He emphasized the need for competitive teacher pay, stating: "We need to really thank them for the work that they do." Villalobos also addressed the challenges of school closures, particularly in under-enrolled areas, and the importance of consolidating resources for better educational outcomes. He expressed a commitment to maintaining fiscal responsibility while ensuring students receive quality education. Looking ahead, Villalobos aims to elevate Miami-Dade County Public Schools to be the premier school district in the country, focusing on academic proficiency and graduation rates.

DISTRICTS

Miami-Dade schools face closures

Students in Miami-Dade County returned to school yesterday, but several campuses will not reopen due to a decision by the Miami-Dade County School Board to close or consolidate nine schools. The closures, which include Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy and Robert Russa Moton Elementary, are part of a plan recommended by the district's Attendance Boundary Committee. Lissette Fernandez, co-founder of Moms for Libros, said: "These schools serve some of the highest-poverty communities in Miami-Dade," highlighting the impact of state underfunding. The district has seen a decline in enrollment, losing around 13,000 students from the previous year, attributed to factors such as Florida's expanded voucher program and fewer immigrant families moving to the area.

Broward schools face closures amid enrollment drop

Classes resumed in Broward County this week, but several schools remain closed due to ongoing consolidations. Superintendent Howard Hepburn described these closures as necessary "cost saving measures," noting the district has lost over 40,000 students in the past decade, equating to a revenue loss of over $30m. He projected a further decline of 9,000 students, raising concerns about the impact of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. Hepburn said: "I do foresee more closures," emphasizing the need to consolidate to manage the 50,000 open seats effectively. The Broward School Board is set to discuss potential further closures on August 25, with more than 10 schools possibly closing for the 2027-2028 academic year. The decline in enrollment is part of a broader trend affecting Florida's largest school districts, which have collectively lost about 67,000 non-charter students.

Florida schools gear up for success

As Florida schools begin the new academic year, Pasco County is seeing a significant reduction in teaching vacancies, with only 54 positions unfilled compared to nearly 350 four years ago. Superintendent John Legg said: “We are not where we want to be yet, but we are well on our way.” The district attributes this improvement to a voter-approved property tax that has increased salaries. Additionally, bus driver vacancies have also decreased, with 31 positions available, down from 62 last year. Other districts in the Tampa Bay area are working to fill their classrooms as quickly as possible, while various initiatives, such as student recruitment campaigns and discussions on school zone cameras, are underway across the state.

FINANCE

Budget battles heat up in Volusia

The Volusia County School Board is preparing for a special meeting to discuss the upcoming fiscal year's budget before the public hearing on September 8. During a recent meeting on August 11, board members debated a nearly $1.1bn budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which passed with a narrow 3-2 vote. Superintendent Carmen Balgobin criticized the influence of "politics" in budget discussions. The board is considering a millage rate of 5.243 mills, which is 1.4% higher than the rollback rate, potentially leading to significant staff cuts if adopted. The special meeting will outline the implications of revenue reductions if the rollback is pursued.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Leon County Schools plans big changes

Leon County Schools is exploring the sale of its administrative buildings to consolidate divisions and reduce maintenance costs. During a recent board meeting, Superintendent Rocky Hanna said: "Our district is very frugal... and I think this is an opportune time for us to have this discussion." The potential sale includes four properties, with the board facing significant repair costs, such as $500,000 for roof repairs and $750,000 for HVAC replacements. The Technology and Information Services department building, valued at about $2m, is also under consideration for sale. The board aims to finalize a financial analysis by the end of December to inform their decision. In a related matter, the board approved an $86,400 expense for a special needs student, highlighting the district's commitment to accommodating all students despite budget constraints.

POLICY

New rule for e-bikes at school

The Leon County School Board has implemented a new policy requiring students to dismount e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal transportation devices at the property line. This decision, made just hours before students returned to class, aims to enhance safety during peak arrival and departure times. School Board Member Laurie Lawson Cox said, "It was more anecdotal data... people had talked to doctors, and they've seen an exponential increase in injuries because of these e-bikes and e-scooters." Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasized that while students can still ride these devices to school, they must walk once they reach campus. The policy reflects a growing trend among Florida schools to regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, ensuring safe access to education.

School board bans micromobility devices

The Orange County School Board unanimously decided to ban micromobility devices for all students except high-schoolers with a learner's permit or driver's license. Linda Sibley, a resident advocating for regulations, stated: “Micromobility devices are a need, a necessity.” Many parents, including Heather Grimmer, expressed concerns that the ban could hinder students' access to school, especially when bus routes are unavailable. Grimmer emphasized the importance of education over prohibition, suggesting that “instead of taking these devices away, let's focus on making their use safer.” The board members justified the ban for safety reasons, with school board Member Anne Douglas noting the lack of sufficient regulations. A grace period until September 8 will allow students to adjust before disciplinary actions are enforced. Sibley plans to petition for mandatory training to address safety issues.

NUTRITION

Miami-Dade schools revamp meal program

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is implementing changes to its meal program for the 2026-27 school year, aiming to provide free meals to as many students as possible. The School Board approved new meal pricing, allowing 121 schools to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which offers free breakfast and lunch without applications. "No student will be expected to begin the school year without access to meals," said Luis E. Diaz, M-DCPS chief operations officer. Students at non-CEP schools will receive free meals for the first 30 days while eligibility is determined.

SPORTS

Income gap shapes access to youth sports as families face rising costs

A new AP-Ipsos poll has found that although Americans overwhelmingly view organized sports as beneficial for children, participation varies significantly by household income. About seven in 10 parents of K-12 students earning at least $100,000 annually say their children participate in organized sports, compared with about 4 in 10 lower-income parents. Costs are a significant barrier: about two-thirds of sports parents spend up to $2,000 annually on equipment, fees, training, and travel, while scheduling, fees, travel, and equipment expenses are widely cited as challenges. Despite those pressures, parents largely believe sports provide important benefits, including physical fitness, teamwork, resilience, friendships, reduced screen time, and stronger self-confidence. Many also consider potential college admissions or scholarship benefits, although relatively few young athletes ultimately compete at the collegiate level or receive athletic scholarships.

STEM

DOJ finds three National Science Foundation STEM programs unconstitutional

The U.S. Department of Justice has determined that three National Science Foundation STEM education programs are unconstitutional because of their race-based criteria, including initiatives supporting Hispanic-serving institutions, graduate education, and minority participation. The programs account for roughly $104m of NSF’s $938m STEM education fund, although the DOJ said the agency cannot reprogram the funding and may instead treat it as residual funding within its broader STEM education appropriation. Two other programs can continue without provisions deemed unconstitutional, while four programs reviewed by the DOJ were found constitutional. The decision has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers and science advocates, who argue that eliminating the programs could reduce educational and career opportunities for underrepresented students.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida poly pioneers new accreditation

Florida Polytechnic University is making strides toward a new accreditation with the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE). The university recently hosted a peer review team, becoming the first institution to advance in CPHE's accreditation process. During the visit, the team evaluated Florida Poly's governance, academic quality, and student success, among other factors. President Devin Stephenson expressed pride in the university's leadership role, stating: "Bold thinking and commitment to excellence have always been at the heart of our institution." The CPHE plans to submit an application for recognition to the U.S. Department of Education in November, aiming for eligibility by mid-July 2027. Florida Poly will maintain its current accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges until the transition is complete.

Harvard wins dismissal of federal lawsuit over alleged antisemitic discrimination

Harvard University has secured the dismissal of a Trump administration lawsuit alleging that it failed to protect Jewish students from discrimination, with U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruling that the incidents cited by the government were “too isolated and episodic” to establish a persistent violation of federal civil rights law. The government had sought to halt $2.6bn in existing federal grants and recover millions of dollars in previous grant payments, citing incidents of antisemitism largely from the 2023-2024 school year. Harvard, which has acknowledged shortcomings in its previous response to antisemitism, argued that it has since undertaken extensive institution-wide efforts to address the issue and characterized the lawsuit as part of a broader dispute over federal funding and academic independence. The Justice Department said it disagrees with the ruling and is evaluating its next steps.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario teachers to get C$750 Staples accounts for classroom supplies

Ontario has selected Staples Canada to operate its new classroom supply program, which will provide 80,000 elementary educators with C$750 ($540) each per school year to purchase everyday teaching supplies. The online portal will open September 1, a week before classes begin, and will offer around 3,000 products, including paper, storage units, math supplies, paper towels, and calculators, with the selection informed by a survey of 23,000 teachers. The province said Staples’ bid was nearly half the price of the second-ranked bidder and that orders will be delivered directly to schools within three to five business days, including in rural, Northern, remote, and fly-in communities. The initiative has faced criticism after it emerged that C$300 of each C$750 account will be drawn from existing school funding.
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