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Florida
2nd September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida teachers' morale hits new low

According to The EdWeek Research Center's survey of nearly 10,000 teachers nationwide, Florida educators are experiencing a decline in job satisfaction. The survey, which utilizes the Teacher Morale Index, indicates that Florida's scores are slightly below the national average. “The Teacher Morale Index is scored on a scale of -100 to +100,” the report said, highlighting the challenges faced by teachers. Over half of Florida teachers suggested that increased planning time and smaller class sizes would significantly improve morale. Additionally, many teachers expressed concerns about student behavior, with only about a third reporting improvements. The survey also revealed that nearly half of Florida teachers are considering leaving the profession, with 38% planning to retire.

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

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump's lawsuit targets Kansas City schools

The Trump administration has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the Kansas City school district, aiming to block policies that facilitate gender transitioning for transgender students without parental consent. The U.S. Department of Justice argues that the district's approach violates federal laws that protect parental access to children's records and require consent for sensitive evaluations. Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, stated, "The department will not tolerate school districts playing fast and loose with federal law in the service of radical gender ideology." This lawsuit marks the first time the Justice Department has accused schools of aiding transitions without parental involvement, amidst ongoing threats of federal funding cuts for non-compliance.

EARLY EDUCATION

Rethinking public pre-K priorities

Public pre-K programs are expanding across the U.S., but early-education researcher Dale C. Farran argues that many current preschool models place too much emphasis on structured academic instruction and not enough on language, executive function, social interaction, and play. Farran’s research, including a study of 2,990 low-income children in Tennessee, has found mixed long-term outcomes from public pre-K and suggests that early advantages in literacy can fade, while skills such as focus, persistence, communication, and social development are more important for continued learning. She advocates for more engaging, relatively unstructured activities, open-ended teacher interactions, and opportunities for children to communicate and solve problems rather than increasingly scripted curricula.

ENROLLMENT

Miami-Dade schools face enrollment drop

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) experienced a significant decline in student enrollment on the first day of the 2026-2027 school year, with 215,078 students enrolled compared to 230,172 the previous year. Elmo Lugo, media relations director at M-DCPS, attributed this decrease to "lower birth rates, shifting migration patterns" and "the region's high cost of living." The charter schools also saw a drop, with 85,473 students enrolled, down from 86,913. Overall, the five largest school districts in Florida, including Miami-Dade and Broward, have lost about 67,000 non-charter students from the 2023-2024 to the 2025-2026 school years. Superintendent Howard Hepburn noted that the district may see further declines in enrollment as families continue to move.

DISTRICTS

Arts education transforms Leisure City K-8

Principal Walter Hall of Leisure City K-8 Center has led a transformative initiative that integrates arts education into the school's core strategy, resulting in significant academic improvements. The case study, "A Diamond in the Rough: How a Vision for Arts Education Transformed Leisure City K-8 Center," highlights the school's progress from 2018-19 to 2024-25, showcasing a rise in seventh-grade math learning gains to the 94th percentile among Florida Title I non-charter schools. Hall stated: "Arts Access Miami gave us the instructional tools we needed... Students started buying into the larger vision of the school." The report also notes a remarkable increase in third-grade promotion rates from 86.8% to 100% and a boost in English language arts proficiency from 39.5% to 49.1%. The initiative, part of a broader effort by Arts Access Miami, aims to provide high-quality arts education across Miami-Dade County, impacting over 17,000 students annually.

Treasure Coast schools shine bright

Students in the Treasure Coast returned to class on August 10, unaware that their schools ranked among the best in Florida. According to the U.S. News & World Report's 2026-27 Best Florida High School rankings, 16 high schools from the Treasure Coast made the list, with nine located in St. Lucie County. Notably, Lincoln Park Academy achieved a Florida rank of 83 out of 1,267, boasting a 100% graduation rate. "Not every high school in the St. Lucie Public Schools District was included in the rank," the report stated.

Lyssy fights residency rumors

Brittany Lyssy, a candidate for the Hillsborough County School Board, is facing scrutiny over her residency. She stated: “Florida law provides that the residency requirement applies when a school board member assumes office,” emphasizing her full-time residence at her Ashley Drive condo since 2024. Amid rumors about her living situation, she clarified that her family moved there after their Manatee County home was damaged by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Lyssy addressed allegations regarding her involvement with the Tampa Bay Young Republicans' invitation to the Tate Brothers, stating: “The Tate brothers are abhorrent.” She expressed hope that voters focus on her qualifications rather than distractions.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Turf wars: grass vs. artificial

In South Florida, the choice between artificial turf and natural grass for school fields involves various factors, including maintenance, safety, and cost. Santiago Olarte, a landscape architect, emphasized: “We shouldn't think of it as two surfaces, competing against each other. Both have benefits and both have disadvantages.” While artificial turf reduces maintenance needs, it can absorb significant heat, raising safety concerns. Ilan Shapiro, chief medical officer at AltaMed, warned that prolonged exposure to hot surfaces can lead to skin damage, stating: “Usually when it reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit, they would take around 10 minutes of exposure to actually get that first-degree burn.” The cost of artificial turf installation is generally higher than natural grass, with estimates ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 for turf compared to $45,000 to $50,000 for grass. The school board plans to revisit this topic in December, leaving the final decision to individual schools based on budget and community input.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Cat in the Hat trend alarms schools

Schools nationwide are on high alert due to a disturbing trend involving a twisted version of Dr. Seuss' "Cat in the Hat." The Santa Rosa County School District announced increased law enforcement presence on campuses, stating: "We understand that messages like these can be concerning to students, families, and staff." The trend features AI-generated videos of the character in unsettling contexts, causing alarm among parents and students. While no credible threats have been confirmed, police in Texas warned that sharing such posts could lead to criminal charges.  

FURTHER EDUCATION

Pensacola State College names new president

Alex Kelly, secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce, has been recommended as the next president of Pensacola State College (PSC) following a national search. Board of Trustees Chairman Zack Smith said: “We believe he brings the experience, character and leadership needed to guide PSC into its next chapter.” Kelly is set to replace Edward Meadows, who has served as president since 2008 and announced his retirement for 2026. Kelly, who previously worked as deputy chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating: “I have gained a tremendous appreciation for the College.” He will visit the campus in late September for discussions with students and faculty. The search attracted 109 applicants, narrowing down to four finalists for in-person interviews.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU tuition hike sparks outrage

For the 2026-27 school year, Florida State University (FSU) is increasing out-of-state undergraduate tuition by about 10% and graduate fees by approximately 8% to support academic programs and student services. This change may deter prospective students and adds financial strain on current out-of-state students. "It felt as though students had no say in this decision," said Celina Pradhan, an FSU psychology major. Out-of-state students contribute significantly to FSU's diversity and local economy, comprising 20% of the student body. Despite the increase, FSU's tuition remains lower than many public universities, and merit-based waivers are available. However, a proposed bill could cap out-of-state enrollment at 5% by 2030, raising concerns about the future of non-Florida residents at FSU.  

INTERNATIONAL

Teacher exchanges could rebuild trust

Retired U.S. educator Ronald Sakolsky has called for renewed, adequately funded teacher exchange programs between China and the United States, arguing that education and sustained people-to-people engagement can help rebuild relations between the two countries. Sakolsky participated in the U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program, which ran from 1996 to 2014 and sent 116 American teachers to China and 332 Chinese teachers to the United States. He said governments should take the initiative in restoring exchanges, while ordinary citizens must maintain relationships and promote greater understanding by considering perspectives from both countries.
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