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U.S. schools are increasingly moving away from blanket bans on AI and toward AI literacy programs that teach students how to use the technology critically, safely, and effectively. In South Carolina, the 50,000-student Charleston County School District has developed an AI policy and is introducing training for teachers, middle schoolers, and high schoolers covering hallucinations, bias, data privacy, and the importance of verifying AI-generated information. The approach aims to prepare students for an AI-driven future without encouraging them to rely on chatbots in place of independent thinking. Approaches vary nationwide, with 37 states having published official AI guidance for schools. Utah has taken a centralized approach, training more than 7,000 teachers over the past year and requiring districts to establish AI policies by July 2027, while other states and districts are developing their own strategies. Educators say effective AI literacy should teach students not only how the technology works, but also when not to use it, while ensuring that teachers and students in rural and under-resourced districts have access to training and appropriate tools.

 

U.S. News

2026 F.A.S.T: 62% Math Statewide - Your Campus?

On the 2026 Florida F.A.S.T (G3–G8), math proficiency rose to 62% (from 59%) and reading improved in nearly 9 of 10 districts, but a state or district average won't tell you how your building did, or how it stacks up against schools like yours.

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Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack has advanced a rule that would prevent undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s postsecondary career and technical education programs. Applicants would have to provide documentation showing they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the country before entering programs including associate degrees, career certificates, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. The proposal, which follows a similar restriction at Florida’s 28 public colleges, requires approval from the State Board of Education at its September 16 meeting. Separately, Florida’s university system is considering barring students who are not lawfully present from its 12 state universities beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.

 

Miami Herald

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has stirred controversy by challenging Catholic schools on their vaccine policies. He stated he would not enforce a constitutional ban on government funding for religious groups, but demanded explanations from Catholic schools regarding their refusal to allow vaccine exemptions for religious reasons. In response, Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, emphasized that the church's teachings do not require vaccination and that the state cannot dictate religious doctrine. Sheedy noted: “Respectfully, any insinuation that a government official can dictate to the Catholic Church... violates well-established constitutional religious freedom rights.” The ongoing dispute highlights tensions between state mandates and religious autonomy, particularly as vaccine exemptions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Bradenton.com

The Miami Herald

Moms for Liberty, a conservative group known for opposing COVID-19 mask mandates and advocating against certain educational content, is experiencing a decline in influence in Florida. Recent elections revealed that many candidates aligned with the group lost their races, leading some observers to label Moms for Liberty as “toxic” to voters. Orange County School Board member Stephanie Vanos said: “Moms for Liberty is toxic. It's a toxic label, and I think they know it.” The group endorsed its smallest number of candidates this year and spent significantly less on local elections compared to previous years. Despite this, chief executive Tina Descovich claimed a “sweep” for the group’s endorsed candidates, although many did not publicly acknowledge their affiliation with Moms for Liberty. The election results suggest a shift in voter priorities towards public education rather than extreme political agendas.

 

Orlando Sentinel

Sun Sentinel

Teachers are experiencing increased verbal and physical aggression at work, contributing to stress, safety concerns, and decisions to leave the profession. A nationally representative survey of 5,500 P-12 teachers, published in July in the Educational Researcher, a journal published by the American Educational Research Association,  found that strong principal support, including clear communication and backing around student discipline, can improve teachers’ sense of safety, reduce stress, and support retention. However, administrative support alone may not be enough for teachers experiencing high levels of victimization, some of whom may have already decided to leave their jobs. Researchers recommend that schools prioritize preventative strategies, including restorative discipline, counseling, positive student-teacher relationships, and incentives for positive behavior. In contrast, exclusionary discipline and school-hardening measures, such as expulsions, metal detectors, and security cameras, were associated with higher odds of teacher victimization. With 18% of teachers surveyed in 2026 saying they were likely to leave their jobs during the 2025-26 school year, the findings suggest that schools need both supportive leadership and proactive approaches to preventing violence.

 

Education Week News

Rural school districts may be able to improve teacher retention by addressing working conditions, community integration, and the unique challenges of geographic isolation. Alaska’s Lower Kuskokwim School District, which serves 4,100 students across 29 largely remote schools, had 78 of its 350 teaching positions unfilled in 2022-23. Research based on the district’s experience found that rural teachers are more likely than urban educators to leave because of working conditions, including housing difficulties and challenges adjusting to isolated communities. Researchers recommend using local data and teacher feedback to identify problems, setting realistic expectations for new hires, providing stronger community and cultural support, and continually evaluating retention initiatives. Experts also caution that traditional strategies, such as mentoring and professional development, may need to be adapted to the realities of small, closely connected rural communities.

 

Education Week News

Florida's high school marine biology textbooks have undergone significant changes, with critical climate change information being watered down or removed. For instance, a statement about climate change causing 150,000 deaths annually was altered to suggest that "human health will also be affected by the increase in CO₂." Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education, said: "These are not changes that were required to bring the textbooks in line with the state science standards." As Florida updates its science standards for the first time since 2008, the future of climate education remains uncertain. Teachers express concern over a "culture of caution," fearing repercussions for discussing climate change. The state's political climate has influenced educational content, with Gov. Ron DeSantis removing references to climate change from state statutes. The implications of these changes could affect millions of students in Florida.

 

Bradenton.com

In Gadsden County, community members are actively participating in naming a new K-8 school, with voting on the name, mascot, and colors currently underway. The Gadsden County School District provided this opportunity, and the voting will remain open until the end of the week. The leading name is Rosalyn West Smith School of Excellence, while the Warriors are the top choice for the mascot, and navy blue, teal, and silver are the preferred colors. Principal Thelma Hickman emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating: "This is their school too. The name, the mascot, and the colors will become a part of the identity and the history of the new school." 

 

Tallahassee News

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has sanctioned Evangelical Christian School and head softball coach Johnny Manetta for violating recruiting rules. The investigation revealed that Manetta communicated with a student-athlete after she had enrolled at another school, which the FHSAA deemed a breach of its improper-contact policy. Manetta admitted to sending the messages but claimed he was not intentionally recruiting the player, stating, "If you want to say that I committed a violation by contacting a student at another school, then yes, apparently I did." The FHSAA imposed a $2,500 fine and a year of administrative probation on the school, while Manetta faces a $5,000 salary forfeiture and a one-year coaching ban. He plans to appeal the decision, asserting that he was merely trying to help the player secure a college scholarship.

 

WINK News

With approximately 75% of college students in Florida living off campus, safety concerns are paramount for parents and students alike. Brooke Davis expressed her worries about her daughter moving into an apartment, stating: “I looked closely at things like secure entry, lighting, parking, the surrounding neighborhood and who had access to the building.” Recent incidents, including the tragic deaths of two USF students, have heightened these concerns. In response, USF President Moez Limayem announced new off-campus housing initiatives aimed at improving safety standards. “The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority,” Limayem said. Various Florida universities are implementing safety measures, such as apps for emergency communication and crime reporting, to ensure students feel secure in their off-campus living arrangements.

 

The Florida Times-Union

Australian education ministers are reconsidering the role of screens in classrooms following declining writing and digital literacy results. Education Minister Jason Clare has raised the possibility of returning NAPLAN writing tests for Years 5, 7, and 9 to pen and paper, while national testing found that just 37% of Year 10 students and 50% of Year 6 students were proficient in digital literacy, the lowest levels recorded since testing began in 2005. The debate comes as students increasingly use AI for schoolwork, with more than 60% of Year 10 students and almost one-third of Year 6 students reporting using AI to generate written content at least monthly. Victoria is already tightening classroom device use from 2027, limiting younger primary students' access and capping screen time for Years 3 to 6 at 90 minutes per day, although school leaders have raised concerns about funding, equipment, and whether screen use outside school is a greater problem. Researchers caution that reducing screen time alone may not improve learning, arguing that educational outcomes depend on how technology is used, rather than simply how often.

 

The Educator Australia