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Florida
25th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida's vaccine mandate showdown heats up

As schools reopen, Florida is advancing a plan to eliminate four required vaccines for children, including those for chickenpox and pneumococcal disease. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is leading this initiative, which contradicts recommendations from President Donald Trump, who recently endorsed these vaccines. "Some vaccines just pure and simple work," Trump said, emphasizing the importance of immunization. The proposed changes would allow parents to opt out based on moral or ethical beliefs, reflecting a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy in the state. In 2019, 94% of Florida kindergarten students were vaccinated, but that number dropped to 89% in 2026, raising concerns about disease transmission. The Department of Health's proposal is still in progress, and current vaccine requirements remain in place until finalized.

F.A.S.T CAMPUS REPORT

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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STATE NEWS

Florida schools face enrollment decline

Florida's education landscape is shifting as public school enrollment declines continue. In the Tampa Bay area, Pasco and Pinellas districts reported drops of about 600 and 3,800 students, respectively. However, the largest decline was seen in Miami-Dade County, which lost 19,000 students, despite Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's prediction of stability. Broward County also faced an 11,000-student decrease, prompting Superintendent Howard Hepburn to recommend closing 10 schools by 2027. "Districts will take their official fall counts in October," which will determine funding for the first semester, according to reports. Other issues include air conditioning outages in Pinellas County schools and a new rule prohibiting undocumented students from enrolling in public college career programs.

Funding crisis looms for Florida kids

Florida's children's services councils primarily rely on property taxes for funding. If Amendment 3 passes, after-school and child care programs may suffer significant cuts. Seritta Reeves, a single mother, highlighted the importance of programs like E.N.D. IT! Corp., which provides essential support for her daughters. Sean Boyle, CEO of the Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County, warned that the amendment could lead to a $2.5m shortfall in the first year, affecting nearly three dozen programs. "This is going to have a ripple effect through the community," Boyle said. The amendment would raise the homestead tax exemption, potentially eliminating non-school property taxes, which could devastate funding for crucial services.

Bridging church and state in Florida

In Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier is advocating for a closer relationship between church and state. He has expressed his intention not to enforce a constitutional ban on government funding for religious organizations, stating that the Constitution should not be interpreted with a “secularist gloss.” This approach has drawn attention from Florida's Catholic bishops, who are responding to Uthmeier's call for clarification on his stance. Uthmeier's efforts reflect a significant shift in the state's legal landscape regarding the intersection of religion and government.

NATIONAL NEWS

Teachers unite to boycott Target

In response to Target's failure to denounce increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has initiated a boycott against the retailer. The AFT, which has 1.8m members, stated: "This back-to-school season, we are asking members to skip shopping at Target." The boycott aims to redirect billions in back-to-school spending away from Target, as union members demand the company take a stand against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in their communities. Randi Weingarten, AFT president, expressed disappointment over Target's lack of constructive engagement, despite her attempts to reach out to CEO Michael Fiddelke. The boycott follows a history of tensions, including previous backlash against Target for rolling back diversity initiatives.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Drone security expands across schools

Campus Guardian Angel is deploying remotely launched drones designed to respond to school shootings within about a minute, using cameras to relay live video to law enforcement and tools including flashing lights and pepper balls to disorient or subdue attackers. The technology is already being used in parts of Florida and Georgia, is launching in Colorado, and could expand to Texas, as schools spend billions of dollars annually on security measures ranging from resource officers and metal detectors to panic alarms and AI-powered detection systems. The growth of the school security industry accelerated after the 2018 Parkland shooting, but experts caution that newer technologies have limited evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. Previous security systems, including metal detectors and AI gun-detection software, have failed or produced false alarms, while some researchers argue that physical security measures can negatively affect students’ sense of psychological safety. Experts say technology should therefore be combined with preventative measures, including mental health support, threat assessment, student supervision, and stronger relationships between students and teachers.

 
CNN

DISTRICTS

Top high schools in South Florida

According to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2026-2027, South Florida boasts some of the highest-ranked high schools in Florida. Five of the top ten schools are in Miami-Dade County, with the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST@FIU) taking second place among public schools in the state, only behind Pine View School in Osprey. MAST@FIU is ranked 31st nationally, while Pine View is 13th. Other notable mentions include Archimedean Upper Conservatory Charter School, which ranks fourth in Florida, and Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy, which is sixth. "Schools were ranked based on six factors," the report stated, highlighting their performance on state assessments and college preparedness.

GOVERNANCE

Indian River County seeks new leader

Indian River County School Superintendent David Moore announced his resignation effective June 30, prompting the School Board to initiate the search for his replacement. Board members have requested a timeline to ensure a new superintendent is in place by March or April, allowing for a transition period. They are considering whether to conduct a national search or promote from within, emphasizing the importance of understanding the district's culture. Board member David Dyer praised Moore's leadership, stating: "You gave us four years in a row of an 'A' district," highlighting the need for continuity in leadership. Moore has suggested looking internally for candidates, citing the presence of "very, very skilled individuals" within the district. Conducting an in-house search could save the district significant funds compared to a national search.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Back-to-school spending hits record high

Back-to-school shopping is projected to reach a record high in 2026, with families expected to spend an average of $863.86, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). This marks a slight increase from $858.07 in 2025. Total spending for K-12 school shopping is estimated at $43.3 bn. Notably, electronics remain the largest expense at $293.11 per student, while shoe costs have risen to $174.01 per family. "64% of shoppers expect to see higher prices this year," indicating a growing concern among parents. To manage costs, families are encouraged to plan ahead, utilize cash-back programs, and compare prices across stores. Richard Laycock edited this guide, emphasizing that early planning and patience can help mitigate rising expenses.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Students win free speech battle

In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra declared that Florida International University (FIU) could not enforce an "unconstitutional" policy limiting students' indoor protests. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by a group of students who protested immigration enforcement by wearing T-shirts that read "ICE OFF FIU." Becerra emphasized that "student speech cannot be curtailed unless it materially disrupts the educational mission," which was not the case here. Adam Saper, an attorney representing the students, stated: "This case is not just about their right to free speech that was violated, but about the students' rights to challenge the injustices they see on campus." The ruling temporarily restricts FIU from enforcing its regulations while the lawsuit continues.

New College hits enrollment milestone

New College of Florida has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1,000 students for the first time, reaching an enrollment of 1,015 for the fall semester. While supporters argue that this growth will benefit the local business community, critics express concerns about the rapid expansion, particularly regarding housing shortages and student retention. Nathan Allen, former vice president of strategy, emphasized that "everyone focuses on enrollment numbers, but that is absolutely the wrong thing to focus on." The college's plans include reaching 1,200 students by 2028 and 1,800 by 2034, but issues such as high costs and inadequate housing remain pressing challenges. Despite these concerns, local business leaders see the growth as vital for the community's economic health.

INTERNATIONAL

Funding targets Sudan education crisis

Education Cannot Wait, a United Nations fund administered under UNICEF rules, has committed $22m in new multi-year funding to restore safe, inclusive education for children affected by Sudan’s civil war. The conflict has displaced at least 14m people and left about 8m children, nearly half of the country’s school-age population, out of school, with some students missing almost 500 days of education. The program will support displaced children, refugees, and vulnerable host communities, providing formal and non-formal learning opportunities, as well as mental health and psychosocial services. At least 60% of beneficiaries will be girls, and 10% will be children with disabilities. An additional $5m will remain flexible to respond to new conflicts, disasters, or climate-related emergencies. Save the Children will lead implementation alongside local partners, with 48% of the budget allocated to national and local organizations. The $22m commitment provides initial funding toward the program’s total requirement of $39m.
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