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Florida
30th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

AI cheating crisis in schools

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has led to significant concerns about cheating, with 70% of teens admitting to using AI for schoolwork, according to a Common Sense Media survey. Paige Wyatt, a former high school English teacher, expressed frustration over the lack of support for educators in detecting AI-generated cheating, stating, “We really need real consequences.” Despite some states implementing AI guidelines, many documents fail to address cheating directly, focusing instead on AI literacy. Justin Reich, a professor at MIT, noted the urgency of the situation, saying: “If you just let this run amok in secondary schools, all kinds of learning activities will stop.” As educators struggle to adapt, the need for effective policies and support systems becomes increasingly critical.

INSTRUCTIONAL COHERENCE

No More Patchwork Literacy: FL Teachers Need Cohesive Resources

How can you spend more time teaching instead of countless hours scouring the internet looking for engaging, authentic texts, supplemental worksheets, foundational skills support, standards-aligned activities, or assessments that pinpoint student progress? Piecing together fragmented resources isn’t just exhausting; it creates inconsistent learning experiences for students who need steady, structured growth. When instructional tools lack alignment across grade levels, critical skills fall through the cracks during key transitions. You shouldn't have to act as a curriculum designer on top of everything else you do. 

Florida educators deserve a unified, evidence-based instructional approach that meets every learner at their precise point of need. Consistent, high-quality materials free teachers to focus on what matters most: delivering impactful, engaging instruction.

Discover how a unified, B.E.S.T.-aligned 6-12 literacy strategy empowers teachers and elevates student reading outcomes.   

 

CURRICULUM

AP courses adapt for AI

The College Board is redesigning AP Computer Science Principles and AP Seminar beginning in the 2027-28 school year as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly affects teaching and student work. AP Computer Science Principles will incorporate AI and machine learning across its curriculum and introduce an AI Create Project requiring students to develop an application using AI. AP Seminar will teach appropriate uses of generative AI but require students to draft and edit essays submitted for AP scoring in a secure environment without access to the technology. The changes follow feedback from thousands of AP teachers, who broadly recognize the importance of AI literacy while expressing concerns about critical thinking, independent work, and unreliable AI-detection tools. The College Board also plans additional professional development to help educators implement the redesigned courses.

Florida science standards get a makeover

Florida is set to revamp its science standards for the first time in years, with a public discussion scheduled in Hillsborough County. The Florida Department of Education aims to create “content-rich, coherent and grounded in facts and evidence” standards, as stated by Florida education commissioner Henry Mack, who emphasized that “science is not a slogan and it is not a sermon.” The previous standards faced criticism, and while the term “evolution” is absent from the new proposals, natural selection is mentioned. The department is hosting a series of public forums, including a virtual town hall, to gather feedback on the proposed changes.

STATE NEWS

Candidates clash over Florida gun laws

In the lead-up to the 2026 gubernatorial election in Florida, candidates Byron Donalds and David Jolly are sharply divided on gun policies, particularly in the wake of the Parkland shooting. Donalds, who voted against the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, aims to repeal the red flag law, arguing it violates due process. He stated that removing the purchase ban and the red flag law would “probably be job one.” Conversely, Jolly supports preserving and expanding the red flag law, emphasizing that it should “never be rolled back to appease special interests.” The candidates also differ on the minimum age for gun purchases and the ban on bump stocks, with Jolly advocating for universal background checks while Donalds opposes them. As the election approaches, the candidates' stances on these critical issues will shape Florida's gun policy landscape.

Florida schools face book bans

Florida school districts are swiftly complying with Education Commissioner Henry Mack's directive to remove age-inappropriate books. Hillsborough County was the first to act, pulling titles mentioned in Mack's memo, which threatened penalties for non-compliance. Pinellas County followed suit but chose to keep Toni Morrison's “The Bluest Eye” for further review, despite past controversies. Isabel Mascareñas, a district spokesperson, said: “When the district review committee meets this fall, it will consider ‘The Bluest Eye,' again, under the new guidance in this new memo.” Anti-censorship advocates argue that the Department of Education's pressure contradicts the state Legislature's established processes for reviewing challenged materials. Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of Florida Freedom to Read Project, emphasized that “Statute 1006.28 establishes a transparent process for addressing concerns about library materials.” Meanwhile, other districts are also reviewing their policies in light of the memo.

Florida's vaccine rule sparks outrage

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is proposing to eliminate requirements for four essential pediatric vaccines—hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and Pneumococcal conjugate—through an administrative rule rather than legislation. This move raises concerns as vaccination rates for pre-kindergarten children have dropped from 94% in 2019 to 88% currently. Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's Surgeon General, stated that no predictive modeling was conducted to assess the impact of these changes, despite evidence suggesting that a mere 5% drop in measles vaccination could have devastating effects. A recent poll indicated that 79% of Florida voters support maintaining current vaccine requirements. Rivkees, a former Surgeon General, emphasized that vaccines save lives and keep children healthy, warning that the proposed rule could lead to more children suffering from serious illnesses.

NATIONAL NEWS

DoDEA shifts toward classical education

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which operates around 160 schools serving approximately 66,000 children of U.S. service members, is undergoing significant changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon is increasing its emphasis on “classical education,” expanding school choice, restricting hundreds of books, and introducing centralized reading requirements, including a mandate for teachers to teach two novels from an approved list using prescribed lesson plans. Schools have also restricted certain materials and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender identity, Women’s History Month, and Black History Month. The changes are being introduced despite DoDEA students historically performing above national averages on federally mandated tests.

 
CNN

GOVERNANCE

Women face superintendent leadership barriers

Women continue to face additional hurdles in reaching superintendent positions, according to data cited by Julia Rafal-Baer, chief executive and co-founder of ILO Group. Women lead 170, or 34%, of the nation’s 500 largest school districts, despite representing the majority of the educator workforce, and 35% of female superintendents reached their roles after serving as interim leaders, compared with 25% of men. Among interim superintendents since 2018 who pursued permanent appointments, 62% of women went through a formal search process, compared with 55% of men, a disparity Rafal-Baer describes as an “audition tax.” The article argues that subjective judgments around leadership style, commitment, and fit can create additional barriers for women, and recommends that school boards establish clear priorities and assess all candidates against consistent, evidence-based criteria.

WORKFORCE

Collier County teachers face rising health costs

Collier County teachers are facing significant increases in out-of-pocket health care costs due to a new insurance plan. The deductible for individual coverage could rise from $500 to $3,500, while family coverage may jump from $1,000 to $6,000. Kenneth Mouton, president of the Collier County Education Association, emphasized that "the responsibility of fixing this issue doesn't begin with the teachers; they are the authors and creators, so they need to fix it." The district cites soaring health care costs and budget deficits as reasons for the changes, which come as open enrollment is set for October.

DISTRICTS

Venetia Elementary plans scaled back

Duval County school officials have revised plans for Venetia Elementary, reducing the projected student capacity from 1,200 to 840. Operations chief Jim Culbert announced that the focus will now be on consolidating Ortega Elementary into Venetia, with a new school expected to be approved at the board's November meeting. The new school will feature 40 general-education classrooms, art and music rooms, and inclusive environments for diverse student needs. The budget for the revised plan is estimated at $49m, significantly lower than the original $70m. The project is scheduled for completion by July 2028, allowing for a smooth transition for students from Ortega and Venetia. Tammie Brooks-Evans, president of Duval Teachers United, emphasized the eagerness of teachers to move into the new facility, asking: "When are we moving forward?"

Tuscaloosa County High celebrates 100 years

Tuscaloosa County High School is marking its 100th anniversary with a week of homecoming events inviting students, alumni, and the community to join the celebration. Laura Peffer, a manufacturing instructor and alumna, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating: "I think our whole community should be excited and proud of all that we've accomplished over the last 100 years." The theme "Then, Now, Forever" reflects the school's legacy, with activities including an alumni breakfast, a parade, a bonfire, and a football game against Vestavia Hills.  

TECHNOLOGY

Meta adds new Instagram tools for nearly 17,000 participating schools

Meta has expanded Instagram’s school partnership program in the U.S., introducing additional features designed to connect schools and students as the company faces increased scrutiny over teen safety. Nearly 17,000 schools have joined the program, and Meta is creating a centralized hub for school-related accounts. Verified students at participating schools will gain access to features including directories for clubs and teams, school-specific Stories, and Notes for announcements, while verified schools will receive new Channels and Notes tools to communicate with students, parents, and the wider school community. The expansion follows Meta’s agreement in August to pay up to $18bn over the next decade and impose restrictions on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims that its platforms were designed to addict children.

NUTRITION

White House resistance slows RFK Jr.’s food overhaul

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to overhaul the U.S. food system have faced growing resistance from White House officials concerned about the legal, economic, and practical implications of his proposals. Officials have delayed a proposed definition of “ultraprocessed food,” fearing it could cover much of the food sold in U.S. grocery stores, expose the government and food companies to litigation, and affect trade and the wider industry. The tensions have also stalled stricter school-meal standards and a proposed safety review of certain refined carbohydrates. The disputes highlight a growing divide between Mr. Kennedy’s team, which is pushing for rapid action on its “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, and White House officials seeking greater review of policies they fear could be costly, difficult to implement, or legally vulnerable.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Lawmakers seek answers over delayed COVID-19 vaccine access for children

Top Senate Democrats are pressing federal health officials over an apparent monthlong delay in making COVID-19 vaccines available through the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free immunizations to more than half of U.S. children, including those covered by Medicaid and those who are uninsured or underinsured. The vaccines received FDA approval on August 27, but states were not able to begin ordering doses through the program until September 23. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to explain the delay and ensure distribution continues without further interruption. HHS said the vaccines are now available for states to order and argued that COVID-19 vaccine procurement does not follow the same deadlines as vaccines for more predictable seasonal illnesses because the virus circulates year-round.

RECRUITMENT

Global teacher shortages worsen as schools struggle to recruit qualified educators

Teacher shortages are becoming an increasingly widespread global challenge, with nearly 40% of 15-year-olds attending schools where principals said staffing shortages hindered instruction in 2025, up from 27% in 2018, according to OECD data. The share of teachers working without full certification has also increased in two-thirds of countries reporting data, with nearly one in 10 primary and secondary teachers across OECD countries not fully qualified in 2025. Schools are struggling particularly to recruit qualified STEM educators, while growing demand for special education and multilingual-learner support is adding to staffing requirements despite declining student enrollment in many countries. In the U.S., teachers generally work longer hours and spend more time teaching than the OECD average, but report comparatively strong morale and satisfaction with employment conditions beyond salary. The U.S. also draws more heavily on career changers, with 16.3% of teachers having previously spent at least a decade in another profession, nearly double the OECD average of 8.4%. The OECD argues that improving working conditions, leadership, career opportunities, and how teachers’ time is structured will be important to attracting and retaining educators.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Ken Griffin donates record $3bn to Carnegie Mellon

Citadel chief executive Ken Griffin is donating $3bn to Carnegie Mellon University, the largest individual gift to higher education in U.S. history, including $2bn to establish a new campus in Miami and $1bn for the university’s main Pittsburgh campus. The 35-acre Miami campus, located in Wynwood, will focus on technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence, health and biological discovery, national security, energy and climate resilience, and advanced manufacturing. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first students expected in 2028, and the campus is eventually projected to support more than 3,500 students, nearly 300 faculty members, and more than 600 staff. Griffin will also join Carnegie Mellon’s Board of Trustees, while its Pittsburgh computer science building will be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science.

Education Department extends student loan interest rate discount deadline

The U.S. Department of Education has extended the deadline for federal student loan borrowers to enroll in automatic payments and receive a one percentage point interest rate reduction until December 31, with the benefit lasting through June 30, 2028, once borrowers enroll. Nearly 2m borrowers have signed up for autopay since the discount became available over the summer, compared with the typical 0.25 percentage point reduction offered for automatic payments. The discount applies to eligible Direct Loans, including Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS, and Direct Consolidation Loans, provided they were disbursed on or after July 1, 2012, and are in good standing. FFEL and private student loans are not eligible.

Byron Donalds engages FAMU students

Byron Donalds, a GOP candidate for governor, held a town hall event at Florida A&M University (FAMU) on Tuesday evening, allowing students to engage directly with him. This event was particularly significant as it took place at Florida's only public Historically Black College and University (HBCU), where Donalds previously attended before transferring to Florida State University. During the town hall, he outlined his vision for Florida and discussed plans to support the state's HBCUs. "This is an opportunity to connect with the future leaders of our state," Donalds said. Notably, he will not be the only candidate at FAMU, as Democratic candidate David Jolly is also scheduled for a similar event in October.

Florida Poly unveils stunning StAC design

Florida Polytechnic University has unveiled the designs for its new Student Achievement Center (StAC), a modern facility aimed at enhancing student life and supporting the university's growing enrollment. The $87m, 138,000-square-foot building features a striking curved roofline and expansive glass façade, designed to foster collaboration and connection among students. Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, said: “The Student Achievement Center represents the next chapter in Florida Poly's extraordinary growth,” emphasizing its role in transforming the student experience. The center will include study areas, multimedia environments, and support services, catering to students from enrollment to graduation. Construction is set to begin in spring, with completion expected by Fall 2028.

INTERNATIONAL

Hundreds detained as school protests escalate across France

High school protests across France have escalated over concerns including teacher shortages, overcrowded classes, demanding schedules, inadequate facilities, and overheated classrooms, with demonstrations or disruptions affecting hundreds of schools. Some protests turned violent, with students setting fires and throwing objects at police, who responded with batons and tear gas; Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 440 people were detained nationwide, most of them minors, while 10 students and staff members were reported injured. The demonstrations coincided with nationwide public-sector strikes and protests over the government’s budget, adding to political tensions between the government and La France Insoumise, whose politicians have supported the student movement. 
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