Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes...
Education Slice Logo
Florida
1st October 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Florida's school choice dilemma revealed

The Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell argues that Florida’s publicly funded voucher system does not provide equal school choice for students with disabilities because private schools can often refuse admission while public schools must serve all children. He cites ProPublica reporting that more than half of Florida voucher schools do not serve students with any disability, including cases involving children with complex medical needs, autism and ADHD. Religious-school exemptions from federal disability protections can further limit families’ legal recourse. Disability-rights attorney Kimberley Spire-Oh warned that voucher participants may lose “most of their legal protections and all of the civil rights protections.” Maxwell contends that schools accepting public money should serve the broader public, while acknowledging some private, charter and traditional public schools successfully provide specialized education. He says the problem is spreading as other states adopt similar voucher policies, leaving some families with fewer practical choices despite expanded funding for private education.

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.   

 

STATE NEWS

Florida schools brace for budget cuts

Florida's public school districts are excluded from the property tax reduction proposed in Amendment 3, yet they will still face significant financial challenges. The amendment could lead to a loss of nearly $100m in funding for children's services by the 2027-2028 fiscal year, as these services are primarily funded through property taxes. Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, president and CEO of the Children's Services Council of Broward County, said: “Do I cut food programs... or is it the program for the kid with special needs?” This dilemma highlights the tough choices that councils will have to make if the amendment passes. Local agencies, like Jacksonville's Kids Hope Alliance, also face potential funding cuts, which could severely impact their ability to provide essential services. The overall economic value of these programs is significant, with a study indicating nearly $6bn in benefits for Broward County over the past 11 years.

Florida's science standards spark controversy

Florida's proposed new academic standards for science have drawn criticism for downplaying evolution and ignoring climate change. Bertha Vazquez, director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science, said: “If it's not broken, why the hell are we fixing it? We had smash bang good standards.” The new standards, which aim to be “content-rich, coherent and grounded in facts,” fail to define evolution in high school life sciences, potentially leaving students unprepared for college. Critics like David Griffith from the Fordham Institute argue that “no science standards can be complete without evolution.” The standards also refer to climate change as “anthropogenic activities,” neglecting the human impact on the environment. Glenn Branch from the National Center for Science Education expressed disappointment, saying: “I would like to say something nice about the new standards, but I can't.” The Florida Department of Education is currently seeking public feedback on these proposed changes.

FINANCE

Pasco County eyes tax credit boost

Pasco County School District officials are optimistic about the upcoming federal tax credit scholarship program launching in January. Superintendent John Legg said: “I think this is a statewide transformational program,” as the district plans to collaborate with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Step Up For Students to direct funds toward public education. The program allows tax filers in participating states, including Florida, to donate up to $1,700 to scholarship granting organizations, which will then provide financial support for K-12 education. Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber, emphasized the potential impact, suggesting that the initiative could generate enough funds for every qualifying public school student to receive a $3,000 “prosperity account.” However, the program faces opposition, with critics arguing it may primarily benefit wealthier families. Legg remains committed to exploring the program's possibilities, focusing on enhancing academic support for students.

Palm Beach County faces salary freeze

The School District of Palm Beach County is facing significant financial difficulties, prompting Superintendent Mike Burke to propose a district-wide salary freeze. Burke described the situation as a "severe financial challenge," citing a $15m budget shortfall and a $60m loss in state revenue due to declining student enrollment. The district has lost nearly 6,000 students this year, leading to a substantial reduction in funding. To address the budget gap, the district has already eliminated 1,200 positions and implemented a hiring freeze. Burke said: "Given our existing $15m budget shortfall, the District made the difficult recommendation of a salary freeze across all positions for the current school year." While negotiations with employee unions are ongoing, the proposed freeze is not yet final.

POLICY

Kennedy visit sparks school board debate

The Hillsborough County School Board is considering a proposal to ban partisan political activities on school property following a visit from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in August. Board members Nadia Combs and Lynn Gray introduced the policy amid concerns about First Amendment rights. Gray said: “It comes down to us being put in this vice,” highlighting the sensitivity of political visits during election cycles. The board decided to postpone any policy changes until spring, with discussions on how to keep visits nonpartisan. Superintendent Van Ayres noted that local officials typically coordinate their visits, stating: “We have not had a local elected official that just popped into a school.” The board is also considering defining partisan and nonpartisan terms in the policy to avoid confusion. Combs expressed hope that the issue would become less contentious after the upcoming elections, saying: “Hopefully, in a few months things will die down.”

DISTRICTS

Orange County Schools consider new fees

The Orange County School Board is contemplating a new fee structure for athletic organizations associated with schools that play outside the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regulations. Currently, these teams do not incur charges for using school facilities, while local club teams face hourly fees ranging from $92 to $172. The proposed fees aim to cover custodial services and administrative costs, aligning with FHSAA's Bylaw 9.9 regarding amateurism. Angie Gallo, a district 1 school board member, expressed concerns from parents about the financial burden, stating: “All the parents that were emailing me were very upset they had to pay to use their own field.” Gallo suggested supporting a flat fee if it remains affordable for families.  

Blanche Ely high gets food truck

Blanche Ely High School has become the first school in the state and the 12th in the nation to receive a food truck through the Intuit program. The truck, named SoFlo Delights, is valued at over $200,000 and will provide students with hands-on experience in culinary arts and entrepreneurship. Dr. Howard Hepburn, Broward County Public Schools superintendent, said: “It's an amazing opportunity for our students to learn about entrepreneurship, culinary arts skills, all the soft skills needed to run your own business.” Students will be involved in all aspects of the food truck, from menu development to operations, and revenue generated will be reinvested into the program. Additionally, students will have access to Intuit's financial literacy curriculum, including tools like TurboTax and QuickBooks.

Supplies boost for 300 students

Bond Elementary in South Tallahassee received a generous donation of school supplies, benefiting 300 students as part of the Stock the Classroom initiative organized by Oasis Christian Center and Amazon volunteers. Assistant Pastor Rhonda Lloyd noted that Bond was chosen due to its underserved status, with input from teachers in the community.  

WORKFORCE

Palm Beach schools cut 1,200 jobs

The Palm Beach County School District has made significant cuts, eliminating 1,200 positions and recommending a salary freeze for teachers and non-instructional staff due to a severe revenue shortfall. Superintendent Mike Burke stated, "Our district is navigating a severe revenue shortfall due to minimal state funding and declining student enrollment." The district's enrollment dropped by nearly 7,000 students, leading to a $60m revenue loss. While many affected employees were reassigned, Burke emphasized the need for a salary freeze to address the $15m budget shortfall. The Classroom Teachers Association, represented by President Gordan Longhofer, is reviewing the situation, advocating for teachers to keep pace with living costs. Despite recent raises, many teachers face financial challenges due to high living expenses in the area. Burke concluded, "I will continue to strongly advocate for better state funding and improved teacher pay."

Coaching gives teachers time back

The 2026 TORSH Impact Report reveals significant benefits of coaching for educators, based on a survey of 195 participants, including 140 teachers and 55 coaches. The report highlights that coaching can reclaim over 45 hours of instructional time per student annually. "The number I keep coming back to is 45 hours. That's more than a full week of school given back to students," said Courtney Williams, CEO of TORSH. The findings indicate that 78.6% of teachers believe coaching influences their decision to remain in the classroom, with 84.3% reporting they regain lost instructional time daily. Additionally, 91.4% of teachers noted improvements in their instructional practices due to coaching. The report emphasizes the importance of trust and supportive relationships in effective coaching. The full report is available at TORSH's website.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Ken Griffin's $3bn gift to CMU

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has received a historic $3bn donation from hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin, marking the largest single gift to a U.S. university. The majority of the funds will establish a new 35-acre campus in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, focusing on "grand challenge areas" such as human health and climate resilience. CMU President Farnam Jahanian praised Griffin, stating, “Throughout our history, CMU has anticipated moments of profound technological change.” The remaining funds will enhance the Pittsburgh campus's computer science program, which will be renamed after Griffin. This initiative comes amid rising pressures on higher education to adapt to a workforce increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Griffin, who has a home in Miami, aims to elevate the city's role in scientific advancement.

Florida schools shine in campus rankings

Two Florida universities have made a significant mark in the "Best College Campuses for 2027" rankings by Niche.com, placing 19th and 21st, respectively. Florida State University and the University of Central Florida surpassed prestigious institutions like Yale, Princeton, and Harvard. The rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education and student reviews, highlighting that "top-ranked colleges offer outstanding campus resources across classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food, and recreational facilities." In addition to these two, 11 other Florida colleges made it to the top 250 list, showcasing the state's strong educational landscape.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe