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Florida
17th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

AI policies reshape Florida education

The State Board of Education has mandated that public school districts and charter schools revise their internet safety policies to incorporate specific guidelines regarding AI by July 1. Education Commissioner Henry Mack emphasized a balanced approach, stating: “We are neither going to one extreme, i.e. banning AI, nor are we going to the other extreme, which is just unfettered access.” The new policies aim to protect students and parents from unsafe AI applications while enhancing educational outcomes. Schools must inform parents about approved AI tools, allowing them to object and suggest alternatives. Governor Ron DeSantis remarked: “Florida will not outsource childhood to a chatbot,” reinforcing the importance of teacher and parental roles in education. Additionally, the board has established similar guidelines for state colleges, promoting faculty autonomy in AI tool usage while ensuring educational quality and safety.

ADOPTION WATCH

McGraw Hill Math Programs Approved by Florida Department of Education

McGraw Hill announced that all of its K–12 math programs submitted have been approved by the Florida Department of Education through the state's instructional materials adoption process, making them available for all 67 school districts across Florida to select and implement with their approximately 3 million students. Approved materials include the K–8 Florida Math core curriculum, Grades 6–7 Florida Math Accelerated, Algebra 1, Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors, and Precalculus Honors. Florida Math provides schools with comprehensive, research-based solutions that support personalized learning, differentiated instruction, and meaningful student engagement — with instruction in both print and digital formats designed to build conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and confidence.

Learn more and request your samples today

 

NATIONAL NEWS

ABA providers push for greater classroom access

Private equity-backed providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) are increasing campaign contributions and lobbying efforts as states consider tighter oversight, Medicaid reimbursement limits, and rules governing private therapists’ access to public schools. Rapid growth in Medicaid spending on ABA has attracted private equity investment, while recent federal audits and state concerns about costs have prompted proposals to cap services and payments, strengthen provider standards, and scrutinize billing. Schools are emerging as a focus of the policy debate. Florida, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania have enacted measures providing private autism therapy technicians with greater classroom access, while Colorado requires districts to establish policies for medically necessary services. School administrators have raised concerns about liability, oversight of privately employed therapists, and lost instructional time, while supporters have pushed for greater access to ABA services during the school day.

WORKFORCE

Teachers juggling jobs to make ends meet

In a recent survey conducted by NBC6, 39% of teachers reported having year-round second jobs, while 15% take on summer work. The survey, which included over 1,200 public school educators from Miami-Dade and Broward, highlighted affordability as their primary concern. Veteran teacher Anthony Schmieder said: “Because the schools don't pay us enough and I have three children,” explaining his need for a second job delivering groceries. Alarmingly, 62% of respondents felt worse off than the previous year, and 98% believed they are underpaid. Adrienne Kahn, a teacher with over 30 years of experience, noted the rising costs of living, stating: “If my house wasn't paid off, I would not be able to live down here.” The survey underscores the urgent need for better teacher compensation in Florida, which ranks last in the nation for teacher pay.

Palm Beach County Schools face job cuts

The Palm Beach County School District has eliminated over 200 jobs this year due to a significant drop in enrollment, losing nearly 7,000 students. In a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the district reported that 214 of the 244 positions cut were teachers, along with 24 support staff and six administrators. The district is attempting to reassign affected employees and has implemented a hiring freeze to address funding reductions. Superintendent Michael Burke had anticipated a decrease of about 2,900 students, but the actual decline was much larger. The district is investigating factors contributing to this unexpected drop, including demographic changes and the rising cost of living. “As is standard practice each year, we are currently realigning staffing levels to reflect enrollment,” the district said.

Lee County teachers face contract impasse

The School District of Lee County has filed for impasse in its contract negotiations with the Teachers Association of Lee County (TALC) after eight months of discussions, primarily focused on compensation. Superintendent Denise Carlin said: "Filing for impasse is not a decision we made lightly, but our teachers should not be asked to wait any longer." The district has proposed a $27.8m compensation package, including $9.8m in additional salary funding, but TALC has not accepted the remaining $3.6m. The district emphasizes its commitment to negotiations but insists that delays in pay increases are unacceptable, especially as Lee County schools boast a 99.9% staffing rate with certified teachers and have achieved their best student results in a decade.

Support teachers: vote for referendums

In Broward and Miami-Dade counties, educators and community leaders are urging voters to renew referendums that provide essential salary supplements for teachers. Broward school board chair Sarah Leonardi emphasized: "Florida is 50th in the nation in funding for teacher salaries. If the referendum is not renewed, the district would lose approximately $358m a year." Miami-Dade superintendent Rafael Villalobos noted the importance of these funds, stating: "It's not a luxury or an extra, it is actually the heartbeat that keeps this school district running."  

Teachers score big with new deal

The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association and the county's school district have reached a tentative agreement on pay and benefits after extensive negotiations. The deal includes a retroactive pay increase of about 1% for all employees, with a one-time $1,500 payment for those at the highest pay level. Superintendent Van Ayres said, “This agreement represents an important investment in the talented professionals who make a difference in the lives of our students.” Additionally, teachers will have the option to work from home for two days and will receive bereavement leave for the first time. 

STEM

FPL boosts aviation education for students

Florida Power & Light Co. has enhanced aviation and STEM education at Hallandale Magnet High School by unveiling a newly renovated learning space. This upgrade is part of FPL's initiative to improve facilities at 20 schools, providing students with access to modern technology, including flight simulators. Jay Schwartz, an adjunct professor involved in the program, emphasized the financial barriers young people face in pursuing aviation careers, stating: “The biggest challenge to get young people into aviation is the financial barrier.” FPL aims to inspire students to explore careers in STEM fields through these hands-on learning opportunities.

LEGAL

Judge rules on Frazer School's future

A federal bankruptcy judge ruled that The Frazer School should own its northwest Gainesville campus building, stating: "There's no question the money came from The Frazer School." The ruling follows allegations of financial mismanagement by former owner James Schrader, who is accused of using funds loaned by parents to purchase the building for his own company, Newberry Community Christian School Inc. The judge has given both parties ten days to submit agreements for the title transfer.

Principal removed after gun found

Michael Smith, principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, was removed from his position on Tuesday after a gun was discovered in his car on campus. Smith, who took over after the arrest of former principal Michael Townsend, received a misdemeanor citation and was reassigned to home. Tatyana Wimberly, a spokeswoman for the school district, emphasized: “Firearms on a school campus are dangerous and illegal.” Although there was no indication of intent to harm, Superintendent Christopher Bernier stated that a community meeting would be held to discuss the hiring process and the need for healing within the school community.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Davenport's new speed cameras unveiled

Davenport has introduced speed detection cameras outside Horizons Elementary School, effective September 21, following a warning period. Drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 10 mph will receive warning notices, transitioning to $100 citations after 30 days.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida bans undocumented students from universities

Starting in the 2027-28 academic year, Florida State and Florida A&M will prohibit initial enrollment for students unlawfully present in the U.S. This decision follows a unanimous vote by the Florida Board of Governors to amend the General Admissions regulation. Marnie Villanueva Marrero, Director of Public Affairs for the State University System of Florida, said: "Current students are not impacted." The amendment aims to prioritize legal, academically qualified students, as emphasized by College Republicans at FSU General Counsel Dylan Knaggs, who said: "The State University System has a responsibility to ensure that those opportunities are directed first toward legal, academically qualified students." Approximately 60,000 undocumented students currently enrolled in Florida's higher education system will be affected, as they are also ineligible for federal financial aid.

Faculty fears rise in Florida

More than 250 faculty members in Florida expressed significant concerns regarding the impact of recent higher education policies on their work, according to a survey conducted by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). One tenured associate professor said: "I live in a constant state of waiting for political activist students... to try and get me in trouble." Faculty reported feeling a culture of fear, with worries about being recorded or challenged by students and administrators. Many highlighted issues such as post-tenure reviews and the elimination of diversity initiatives. Concerns about personal safety were also prevalent, particularly among LGBTQ faculty. Despite these challenges, 84% of Florida respondents believed their disciplines would survive in the era of artificial intelligence, with one associate professor stating: "I would sadly trade for an environment twice as politicized if it were to mean ending the encroachment of AI into University spaces." 
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