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Florida
21st August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida expands school requirements

Florida students are returning to classrooms under a series of new education laws covering teacher training, curriculum, student safety, grading, and graduation requirements. Schools must now provide annual autism-specific professional development for relevant teachers and administrators, covering academic instruction, behavioral support, communication strategies, and inclusive practices. Teachers and transportation staff working with students who may experience seizures will also require training, while schools must display guidance on responding to seizures. Students in grades 3-5 will be required to study cursive and demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade, while public schools must display portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Other changes allow Special Olympics participation and certain dance courses to satisfy physical education requirements, and require families to be notified within 10 days if services specified in a student's individualized education plan are not provided. Florida has also standardized GPA weighting for honors, AP, International Baccalaureate, dual-enrollment, and other advanced courses. 

STATE NEWS

Florida high schools shine in rankings

U.S. News & World Report has published its 2026-2027 rankings of the best high schools in the United States, with Pine View School in Osprey taking the top spot in Florida and ranking 13th nationally. Florida ranked fourth in the nation for the percentage of its high schools in the top 25%, with 42.6% making the cut. "Every student deserves a pathway to success, and that journey often begins with selecting the right school," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News. Pine View School achieved an impressive overall score of 99.93 out of 100, emphasizing a curriculum that combines traditional learning with independent study. The rankings evaluated around 27,000 public high schools based on key performance indicators, including graduation rates and college readiness.

WORKFORCE

TAP strengthens Florida's teacher pipeline

As South Florida's schools prepare for the 2026-27 academic year, the Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP) continues to enhance the educator pipeline. This summer, TAP celebrated over 200 newly trained teachers entering various schools across the region. Since its launch in 2023, TAP has trained more than 700 educators, becoming the largest source of teaching talent in Miami-Dade County. Leslie Miller Saiontz, founder of TAP, said: “We launched TAP to make it easier for talented, passionate people to become teachers, and the results continue to exceed our expectations.” With nearly 2,000 teaching positions still vacant statewide, TAP is crucial in addressing Florida's teacher shortage, providing a pathway for aspiring educators and supporting them through mentorship and training. Funded by private philanthropy, TAP serves as a scalable model for tackling teacher shortages both in Florida and nationwide.

Teachers left out of salary boost

Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS) is allocating $2.4m in Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA) funds, but only about 37% of its 2,400 teachers will benefit. The funds, amounting to approximately $240 extra per month for eligible teachers, are restricted to those with at least 10 years of full-time experience in Florida public schools. Carol Cleaver, President of the Escambia Education Association, expressed concern, stating: “This is leaving out a lot of the people who helped our school district get to an A grade.” The TSIA program, enacted in 2020, aims to enhance teacher compensation but has faced criticism for its restrictive criteria, which Cleaver argues politicizes funding and undermines teacher unions. The final list of recipients is expected by August 31.

New teachers bloom in Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade County Public Schools welcomed around 200 new teachers during an induction ceremony on August 3 at The Innovation Center @ Country Club in Hialeah. The event featured welcoming addresses from district officials and professional learning opportunities aimed at equipping educators with essential skills. This year's theme, "Blooming Together: Cultivating the Future of Teaching and Learning," emphasizes collaboration and growth. "All sessions were designed to provide skills and knowledge that engage participants," said a district representative, highlighting the commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment.

Alachua County picks new search firm

The Alachua County School Board has selected McPherson & Jacobson to lead the search for a new superintendent, opting for the firm over two competitors, including the Florida School Boards Association. The board unanimously voted on August 19, with Board Chair Thomas Vu noting that McPherson & Jacobson's candid approach set them apart. “They called us out,” Vu said, emphasizing the need for board unity in the recruitment process. The proposed search will cost $47,200 and includes a two-year guarantee to repeat the search if necessary. Steve Joel, leading the McPherson & Jacobson team, highlighted the importance of board alignment, stating: “If the board isn't in alignment... then candidates are not going to apply.” The board aims to select a new superintendent by the end of the year, with a workshop scheduled for September 9 to establish a search timeline and candidate criteria.

GOVERNANCE

Volusia County School Board races heat up

In the recent Volusia County school board elections, voters faced a mix of continuity and change. The District 1 race will proceed to a runoff on Nov. 3 between Brenda Beery and Jamie Haynes, as neither candidate secured the required 50% of the vote. Beery garnered 49.61%, while Haynes received 35.71%. Beery, a former teacher and assistant principal, emphasized improving student success and fiscal transparency. In District 3, Grace Kellermeier won with 53% of the vote, advocating for increased board transparency and more frequent meetings. Ruben Colon was re-elected in District 5, receiving 62.92% of the vote, focusing on graduation rates and school safety.

School board members set priorities

The Martin County School Board, consisting of five members, has set ambitious priorities for the upcoming term. Christia Li Roberts, the newly appointed chair of the Florida School Labor Relations Service, emphasized the importance of supporting struggling students and preparing for the spring 2028 referendum. “I believe in acknowledging and supporting efforts and accomplishments that impact the students of Martin County,” Roberts said. Cherie White, a former city clerk, highlighted her commitment to improving staff retention and providing better resources for disadvantaged students.

Mullis and Bedinghaus face off again

Jonathan Mullis and Camden Bedinghaus, who have a 26-year age difference, are set to compete in a runoff for the District 5 school board seat in Manatee County on November 3. In the primary election, Mullis secured 35.31% of the votes, while Bedinghaus followed closely with 34.07%, leaving Chantal Wilford trailing at 30.62%.

EARLY YEARS

Public preschool proves its worth

According to a recent longitudinal study by Charles Bleiker, a professor at Florida International University, public preschool significantly benefits children from low-income families in Miami-Dade. The study followed nearly 28,000 children and found that third-graders who attended public preschool outperformed their peers in reading and math, particularly those from low-performing schools. Bleiker stated: “A stable system for a high-poverty family — a connected system — works a lot better.” The research highlights the importance of quality early childhood education, emphasizing that children without access to such programs may face ongoing academic disadvantages. The study is notable for focusing on a majority-Hispanic population, providing valuable insights into educational outcomes in similar demographics.

TEACHING

Teachers cling to outdated reading methods

According to the "From the Teacher's Desk: A Science of Reading Progress Report," nearly 30% of K-3 teachers still employ discredited reading methods, failing to fully embrace the science of reading. The report, based on a survey of over 1,200 educators, highlights that many teachers in high-poverty schools are less informed about phonics, a key component of effective reading instruction. David Griffith, a co-author of the report, emphasized: "Almost every literate person I've ever met remembers getting phonics," underscoring the importance of phonics in reading development. Despite laws in 42 states promoting the science of reading, some educators express concerns about an overemphasis on phonics at the expense of comprehension. The report calls for improved teacher training and curriculum alignment to enhance reading instruction across all schools.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Top public universities for value revealed

SmartAsset has identified the best value public universities in the U.S. by evaluating over 500 institutions based on their cost of attendance, graduation rates, and median earnings of graduates. The University of Florida topped the list with a graduation rate of 91% and median earnings of $71,588 ten years post-enrollment. "Schools with an average cost of attendance below the median for similar institutions were assigned composite scores," SmartAsset noted. California leads with 11 ranked schools, while Pennsylvania is notably absent from the list. The rankings highlight that even smaller institutions can provide excellent value, with several smaller schools making the top 50.

Colleges face enrollment decline

U.S. colleges are approaching a significant demographic shift as declining birthrates reduce the number of traditional college-age students, with enrollment forecast to fall 13% by 2041. The decline is already affecting parts of the Midwest and Northeast and is expected to increase financial and enrollment pressure on many institutions. However, fewer prospective students may not make admission easier at the most prestigious universities. A “flight to quality” is concentrating applications at highly selective private universities and prominent public institutions, as families increasingly question the value of a degree and focus on schools perceived to offer stronger career outcomes. Meanwhile, many regional and less-selective colleges are becoming easier to enter as their applicant pools shrink. Students are also responding to greater uncertainty by applying more widely.
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