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Florida
1st September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida schools face tough choices

Florida school districts are grappling with declining enrollment, prompting discussions about school closures and consolidations. The Pinellas County district has already closed two campuses, with more expected soon. Miami-Dade County is considering 27 schools for potential changes. Researchers Francis Pearman of Stanford University and Michael Chrzan of the University of Maryland, in their report published by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, argue that closures based on low enrollment or performance often fail to achieve financial goals and can exacerbate educational disparities. Pearman said: “In a turbulent era where difficult choices are increasingly unavoidable, we argue that the methods used to make these choices must be interrogated.” They emphasize the need for a framework that balances financial responsibility with equitable treatment for all students.

FREE BTS MATH RESOURCES

Back-to-School Math Resources for Florida Educators

As classrooms settle into the new school year, Florida educators are looking for practical strategies to engage students, support diverse learning needs, and build a strong foundation for mathematical success. To help, we've curated a collection of free math resources and teaching tips featuring classroom-ready activities, intervention strategies, engagement practices, and support for multilingual learners.

You'll also find information on FLDOE-approved mathematics programs from HMH, including solutions for Grades K-8, Algebra 1, and intensive intervention designed to support Florida schools.

Access Free Math Resources and FLDOE-Approved Programs

 

STEM

Turning space excitement into STEM

Educators are exploring ways to turn renewed enthusiasm for space into lasting interest in science, technology, engineering, and math as events such as NASA’s Artemis II mission, eclipses, meteor showers, movies, and interactive exhibits capture students’ attention. Research from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, however, suggests that students’ enthusiasm can decline within weeks of visiting a planetarium, highlighting the challenge of converting short-term excitement into sustained engagement. The issue is particularly important as U.S. STEM employment is projected to grow by at least 8% over the next decade, roughly three times faster than non-STEM occupations. Educators and astronomy organizations are emphasizing hands-on activities, observatory visits, interactive technology, films, lectures, and science camps to make complex subjects more accessible and relevant. Experts argue that giving children opportunities to actively experience science, rather than simply learn about it, can help them envision themselves pursuing future STEM careers.

DISTRICTS

Miami-Dade schools shine in rankings

Miami-Dade County has emerged as a leader in U.S. News & World Report's latest ranking of top public schools, with six high schools making the top 100 list. This places Miami-Dade second only to Maricopa County, Arizona, which boasts eight schools in the rankings. The state of Florida, with 13 schools total, ties with Arizona for the most schools in the top 100. According to U.S. News & World Report: "30% of the rankings are based off 'college readiness,'" which includes student participation and outcomes on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests. The six Miami-Dade schools in the top 100 include MAST @ FIU, Archimedean Upper Conservatory, and José Martí MAST 6-12, among others. Miami-Dade also has a significant presence in the state's top 100, with 32 schools making the list, many of which are specialized magnet or charter schools.

Vote on Leon County amendments

In the upcoming general election, Leon County voters will decide on eight amendments concerning the county charter and the school board. Proposed amendments include addressing historic inequities, prioritizing county ordinances over city ones, and polling on a potential city-county government consolidation. The school board is seeking approval for a property tax increase to enhance teacher salaries and extend a half-penny sales tax for school facilities. "The district is in the worst position financially it's been in the last decade," said Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna. Unlike state amendments, these local referendums require only a simple majority to pass. Voters will see questions on various issues, including the removal of outdated charter language and the affirmation of human dignity in the county's governance.

Pause on school move urged

A member of the Martin County School Board, Amy Pritchett, has called for a pause on plans to relocate Warfield Elementary to the Indiantown Middle School campus due to concerns about a nearby proposed data center. During an August 25 meeting, Pritchett emphasized the need for more health-related data, stating: “I just feel we need to get more information and get more health-related data so we know when we do this we're doing what is in the best interest of children.” The board's discussions coincide with a motion from the Martin County Commission to consider a one-year moratorium on data centers while further research is conducted. Concerns have been raised about the potential health and environmental impacts of the data centers, particularly for students with sensory sensitivities.

Tuscaloosa City Schools makes history

Tuscaloosa City Schools has made history by becoming the first school board globally to receive Cognia certification, a recognition that ensures high-quality education standards. Superintendent Mike Daria emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating: "Cognia, as part of their continuous improvement, now has a board certification process." The certification process involved thorough evaluations and interviews, highlighting the board's effectiveness. Board President Eric Wilson noted that the certification followed their performance during a failed tax referendum, which fostered unity among board members. He remarked: "It's sort of making us more cohesive."

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Duval County School Board faces backlash

The Duval County School Board is scheduled to vote on September 1 regarding a contract for preparatory work on a new Venetia Elementary School, despite ongoing objections from local residents. The board will also address changes to policies on attendance boundaries and school consolidations that may affect several schools in the area. The proposed contract with STG Contracting Group includes preconstruction services and early procurement costs totaling $2.2m. Critics argue that the projected growth of the school to accommodate 1,200 students is unrealistic, with one flyer stating: “Venetia-Ortega population growth is not and will never grow as much as the district is projecting.” Board member Cindy Pearson emphasized the need for new schools to avoid deferred maintenance issues, while the board will also invite public comments on policy changes aimed at improving facility utilization.

TECHNOLOGY

OpenAI's education strategy heats up

In January 1983, Apple initiated a program called Kids Can't Wait, providing free Apple IIe computers to California schools, aiming to secure future customers. Fast forward to today, OpenAI is following a similar strategy with its ChatGPT for Teachers program, which is expanding to 55 school systems across 20 states, reaching over 300,000 educators. Leah Belsky, OpenAI's vice president of education, emphasized that the offering focuses on control rather than access, allowing districts to implement AI within their legal frameworks. OpenAI is also introducing a National Data Privacy Agreement to streamline the evaluation process for schools. While ChatGPT leads in teacher engagement, it faces competition from Google and Microsoft, who have integrated AI into their existing platforms. OpenAI's free service is set to continue until June 2028, but the challenge will be maintaining user loyalty once fees are introduced. "That habit, not goodwill, is the asset OpenAI is actually building inside the education system," the article notes.

What’s your child's app hiding?

In a recent study, BYU Information Systems Professor Justin Giboney, alongside Mark Keith and the Utah State Board of Education, investigated the data practices of educational technology apps used in Utah schools. The research aimed to uncover discrepancies between what these apps promised regarding data collection and what was actually happening. Giboney stated: "Many of these tech apps collect student data... but a large percentage of flagged connections were going to data brokers or advertisers that didn't need to be collected." The findings prompted a dialogue between the State Board and app companies, leading to improved privacy measures and a new privacy law. This initiative highlights the growing awareness among parents about their children's online data privacy.

HIGHER EDUCATION

More U.S. colleges explore three-year degrees to cut costs

A growing number of U.S. colleges and states are exploring three-year bachelor’s degrees as a way to reduce tuition and living costs, limit student debt, and allow graduates to enter the workforce sooner. At least 70 institutions are offering or considering accelerated degrees, some requiring around 90 credits instead of the traditional 120. Texas has become the latest state to advance the model, with Gov. Greg Abbott directing the state’s higher education board to develop a framework for three-year pathways, particularly in high-demand, high-wage fields. Other states and institutions are also experimenting with accelerated programs, including Massachusetts and universities in Louisiana. Supporters argue that shorter degrees could make higher education more affordable and efficient, while critics question whether they will be widely accepted by employers, graduate schools, and accreditors, and warn that reducing degree requirements could weaken the value of a college education.

UF shines in Time rankings

The University of Florida (UF) has achieved a remarkable feat by ranking No. 4 among public universities in Time magazine's inaugural “America's Best Colleges 2026-2027” list, and No. 16 overall out of 500 institutions. This ranking emphasizes student outcomes, including post-graduation earnings and graduation rates, with a significant weight of 75% on student outcomes. UF received an impressive score of 94.74 for student outcomes and 89.14 overall. “This ranking confirms what our students experience every day: a world-class learning environment,” said Mori Hosseini, UF Board of Trustees chair. The analysis, conducted by Time in partnership with Statista, utilized data from various educational sources, including the National Center for Education Statistics. UF stands out as the only Florida college in the top 20, while other state universities ranked lower.
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