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Florida
8th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Public confidence in U.S. schools hits 27-year low

Americans’ satisfaction with K-12 education has fallen to its lowest level since Gallup began tracking the issue 27 years ago, with just 32% of adults saying they are completely or somewhat satisfied, down 11 percentage points in two years, while 67% are dissatisfied. The decline has been particularly pronounced among Democrats, whose satisfaction has fallen about 19 points since President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025, although Independents and Republicans have also become less satisfied. Concerns extend beyond politics, with falling national test scores, pandemic-related learning disruption, technology use, and questions about schools’ ability to prepare students for college and employment contributing to declining confidence. Parents remain considerably more positive about their own children’s education, with roughly two-thirds satisfied, while a separate survey found only about 20% of Americans believe schools are doing a good or excellent job teaching critical thinking or preparing students for today’s workforce.

MATH INTERVENTION IN FLORIDA

What Florida's Latest Math Results Mean for Student Intervention

Florida's Spring 2026 assessment results show continued growth in mathematics achievement, but many districts remain focused on helping students who are still performing below grade level accelerate progress. As educators review data and plan next steps, effective intervention remains a key priority.

To support these efforts, we've created a free Math Intervention Resource Guide featuring research-based strategies, classroom-ready approaches, a downloadable intervention handbook, and Florida-specific success stories. You'll also see how schools across Florida are using Math 180 to support student growth and strengthen FAST Math outcomes.

Explore the Free Math Intervention Resource Guide

 

STATE NEWS

Florida expands 9/11 classroom education

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Florida law requires middle and high school students to learn about the events and their consequences. Hillsborough County teachers use materials including newspaper coverage, photographs, firefighter oral histories, and examples of national unity. The requirement also reflects a generational shift, as many students and some teachers were not alive or old enough to remember 9/11. Retired firefighter Lee Ielpi, whose firefighter son Jonathan died in the attacks, helped spearhead the Florida 911 Heroes Law. “Our young people are tomorrow’s leaders,” Ielpi said, arguing that future leaders must understand what happened. Students are also learning about the attacks’ effects on civil liberties, airport security, the Middle East, and the Pentagon, while teachers emphasize remembrance, respect, and the human impact of terrorism.

Florida parents face vaccine rule changes

Florida parents are facing significant changes to school vaccine requirements as the Florida Department of Health proposes removing hepatitis B, varicella, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines from the list for PreK-12 students. The proposal also aims to expand religious exemptions to include “moral” or “ethical” beliefs. Kas Miller, a Florida mom and director of Florida Families for Vaccines, emphasized the importance of community health, stating: “Our children do not live inside bubbles around our individual families.” With nearly 80% of Florida voters supporting existing vaccine safeguards, parents are encouraged to voice their opinions on the proposed changes before the comment period ends on September 14.

TESTING

American students lose ground in reading and math

U.S. students have recorded a sharp decline in reading performance since 2022, with scores for 15-year-olds approaching their lowest level in 25 years, while math results remain among the weakest since Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing began in 2000. Although the U.S. continues to perform above the OECD average in reading and science, and around the middle of the pack in math, it remains well behind leading education systems, including Singapore, Japan, Korea, and the Chinese regions included in the assessment. Only 8% of American teenagers reached the highest proficiency levels in math, compared with 37% in Singapore, 23% in Korea, and 22% in Japan, while the share of U.S. students failing to reach basic proficiency in reading and math has risen over the past decade. The deterioration forms part of a broader global decline, with reading scores falling across many industrialized countries and math performance weakening internationally, as experts point to growing technology use, reduced recreational reading, and lingering pandemic disruption as contributing factors. Researchers cautioned that U.S. participation rates fell below PISA targets, but said the overall results still provide strong evidence that American students have lost academic ground.

WORKFORCE

Hillsborough teachers push contract changes

Hillsborough County teachers are negotiating a new contract as financial pressures constrain potential salary increases. The district employs nearly 20,000 teachers but faces declining tax revenue and public school enrollment. Starting teachers earn just over $48,000, about $3,000 below the amount identified as necessary for a single adult’s basic expenses locally. Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association President Rob Kriete said compensation remains central, noting: “We’re 50th in the nation in teacher pay.” Teachers are also seeking reduced paperwork and duties so they can spend more time directly supporting students. Meanwhile, support staff have already reached an agreement providing one-time bonuses, including $2,500 for bus drivers.

Art professor's bold stand sparks debate

Karen Leader, an art professor at Florida Atlantic University, faced administrative leave after posting nearly 50 comments about Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, following his death. She aimed to counter the glorification of Kirk, stating: "This kind of stuff works," referring to the backlash she received, including death threats. Despite being exonerated, Leader feels the environment remains tense, noting that many educators are now more cautious in their speech. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Florida's educational landscape, where free speech is increasingly scrutinized. Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, emphasized that "people do have First Amendment rights," yet the chilling effect on educators persists. The case reflects broader concerns about the limits of free speech in classrooms and the political climate affecting educators' ability to express their views.

DISTRICTS

M-DCPS shines with Gold Awards

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has achieved remarkable success by earning seven out of the 11 Gold International School Awards in chess education, awarded globally by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE). This recognition highlights programs that effectively integrate chess into classroom instruction and community outreach. M-DCPS, the only U.S. district to receive these awards, achieved a 100% success rate in its inaugural application, with all seven applicants securing Gold status. The schools evaluated included Citrus Grove K-8 Center, Hialeah Gardens Middle School, and others. "M-DCPS continues to demonstrate why it is your best choice for students and families seeking world-class academic and enrichment opportunities," the district stated.

TEACHING

Students dive into financial literacy

The introduction of the AP Business with Personal Finance course in South Florida is generating excitement among students. Marcia Notkin, a Business Education Teacher at Hallandale Magnet High School, expressed her enthusiasm, saying: "I'm excited about the opportunity of giving kids real-world experiences that they can take savings." The course, available at over 15 schools in Miami-Dade County and seven in Broward County, aims to equip students with essential financial skills, including investing and business planning. Students like Tariyah Knowles and Skylar Lees are eager to enhance their entrepreneurial ventures, while Avenir Pigida is developing an AI homework helper. Florida mandates financial literacy courses for high school students, and this new AP offering is tailored to meet diverse school requirements.

SPORTS

New rules for college sports agents

Legislators are considering a "commercially reasonable" registration fee for athletic agents as the State University System Board of Governors seeks to adapt to the changing landscape of college sports. Governor Ken Jones, the task force chair, emphasized the need for flexibility, stating, "We need to stay flexible, because these things are going to change all of the time." The board's recommendations include asking Congress for an antitrust exemption for the NCAA to implement a salary cap and regulate transfer and eligibility rules. Additionally, the board is urged to require financial literacy training for student-athletes and establish trusts for managing "name, image and likeness" earnings. The proposed federal bill includes a limited antitrust exemption and caps agent commissions at 5%.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU introduces early decision option

In April, Florida State University (FSU) announced a binding Early Decision option for domestic first-year applicants starting in the summer 2027 semester. This initiative aims to enhance admission opportunities for students who view FSU as their top choice. FSU Assistant Vice President Hege Ferguson said: "Early Decision is a clear, transparent way to allow students to express [their top-choice] preference." The Early Decision option is exclusive, meaning students cannot apply to other universities under the same category. However, Regular Decision and rolling deadlines remain available for those seeking flexibility. Notably, FSU's recent academic achievements, including a 78% four-year graduation rate, underscore its commitment to student success. As FSU prepares for the 2027 admissions cycle, the Early Decision option provides a pathway for students to demonstrate their commitment to the university. Applications are due by October 15, with a binding deposit required by January 15.

AI voiceovers spark student outrage

Students at Florida State University are expressing frustration over AI-generated voiceovers in chemistry lectures. The university introduced the Classavo platform to enhance learning, but many students find the AI voice difficult to engage with. Emma Huntsman, an environmental science major, said: "I personally don't think this is the best direction for higher education." Technical issues, such as mispronunciations and unnatural pacing, have also been reported. In response to student feedback, the chemistry department has made original lecture recordings available for those who prefer the instructor's voice. A petition to remove AI from general chemistry courses has garnered over 78 signatures, highlighting the growing discontent among students regarding the use of AI in their education.

INTERNATIONAL

Austria's headscarf ban faces backlash

Austrian schools are set to implement a controversial ban on headscarves for children under 14, which has drawn criticism from various groups, including the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGO). The ruling coalition, which includes the far-right Freedom Party, argues the ban protects girls' freedom. However, IGGO has labeled the legislation as discriminatory and plans to challenge it in the Constitutional Court. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr acknowledged uncertainty about the court's response, stating, "You can never be completely certain." The new school year begins in three Austrian states, with protests anticipated from left-wing student organizations against the ban. Schools are required to discuss the ban with students who defy it, with fines ranging from €150 to €800 for non-compliance.

South Korea shifts international student strategy from recruitment growth to quality

South Korea is shifting its international education strategy from increasing student numbers to improving educational quality, student protections, employment outcomes, and long-term settlement after the number of international students reached 307,464 in 2026, nearly 70% above 2023 levels and exceeding the government’s 300,000 target a year early. The Education Ministry plans tighter oversight of universities and recruitment agencies, including standardized recruitment agreements, clearer tuition refund requirements, stronger monitoring of advertising practices, and potential amendments to the Higher Education Act. From 2029, its university certification system will place greater emphasis on education and student-support quality, while the required share of international students meeting recognized Korean- or English-language standards will rise from 40% in 2026 to 60% by 2030. The government will also expand employment and settlement support after only 33.4% of eligible international graduates found jobs in Korea in 2024.

OTHER

Students help nab human traffickers

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, with assistance from two undergraduate students from Florida International University, made over 20 human trafficking arrests during the World Cup. Sophia Marticorena and Klaudia Litardo, seniors at the Jack Gordon Institute, served as intelligence analysts, helping to identify potential traffickers. “We took part in taking another bad person off the streets to know that they can never hurt anybody else again,” said Marticorena. Their work involved analyzing data to understand predator behaviors, which was crucial for building cases against suspects. Litardo expressed pride in their contributions, stating: “I was part of something bigger than myself.” This opportunity marked the first time non-law students were involved in such operations with the State Attorney's Office. Both students are set to graduate in December 2026.
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