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Public school districts in at least 30 states could introduce new fees for tutoring, technology, transportation, and other educational services under President Donald Trump’s federal school choice program. Beginning January 1, the initiative will provide dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits to individuals who donate to approved K-12 scholarship organizations, with funds available to students attending both public and private schools. However, public schools face significant legal, financial, and administrative challenges in participating, particularly as the IRS has yet to clarify which expenses qualify for scholarship funding. While many districts already charge for supplemental services, state laws restricting fees could complicate implementation. Scott Bowling, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials, highlighted the legal uncertainty surrounding permissible charges, explaining that schools were instructed to “Check with your local counsel,” requiring districts to seek legal guidance on which expenses could be charged to families. He also questioned the practicality of charging families for supplemental education, warning: “You’re not going to get anybody to come to your tutoring program if you’re asking them to pay.” 

 

Education Week News

Watch How Florida Math Was Designed Around B.E.S.T.

What does it really mean for a curriculum to be aligned? In a new video, McGraw Hill Florida Math contributing author Sarah B. Bush, Ph.D., takes educators inside the design process — and the difference between stamping benchmark codes on pages and designing one around what Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards ask students to become capable of doing. Built from the B1G-M instructional guides and the Math Standards Progressions, with the Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning Standards woven throughout, Florida Math moves students from exploration to representation to reasoning to application — so the evidence of alignment lives in what students think about, do, explain, and demonstrate. Watch the video and see how Florida Math builds math confidence for teachers, students, and Florida schools.

Watch the video

 

A national study by NWEA involving 55,000 students across 29 states has found that approximately 25% of students academically prepared for eighth-grade algebra were not enrolled in the course, potentially limiting their future opportunities in advanced mathematics and STEM careers. Separate research in New York identified similar gaps, with an estimated 20,000 additional students eligible for Algebra I. Researchers highlighted disparities in access based on income, race, school availability, and placement decisions influenced by teachers and families. Evidence suggests academically prepared students benefit from taking algebra earlier, prompting advocates to recommend automatic enrollment with an opt-out option and additional academic support. However, experts caution that expanding access must be accompanied by effective instruction and stronger mathematical foundations in earlier grades.

 

The 74

The federal E-Rate program has become essential to supporting educational technology, providing schools and libraries with affordable broadband, telecommunications, and network infrastructure. Patrick Mitchell of Columbia County School District highlights how E-Rate funding has enabled long-term investments in reliable, scalable, and resilient networks that support digital learning, online assessments, school safety, and administrative operations. As schools face growing technology demands, cybersecurity challenges, and tighter budgets, E-Rate helps districts maintain essential connectivity while minimizing disruptions and improving financial predictability. The program is particularly valuable for rural and underfunded districts, where infrastructure costs can limit educational opportunities. Mitchell argues that protecting and strengthening E-Rate is critical to ensuring equitable access to digital resources, supporting innovation, and preparing students for future success.

 

eSchool News

Following Hurricane Isaias, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported that the state avoided a worst-case scenario, stating: "It could have been worse." The storm caused significant damage, particularly in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, resulting in two fatalities. While power has been restored to about 200,000 customers, approximately 300,000 remain without electricity. DeSantis noted that 16,000 line workers are actively restoring power, with assistance from the Florida Municipal Electric Association. Additionally, around 4,000 Florida National Guard members are deployed for debris clearance. Schools in affected counties will remain closed, and recovery efforts are underway, with no-interest loans available for businesses. U.S. Senator Ashley Moody emphasized the resilience of Floridians, saying: "Signs are looking good. Florida is looking good, and we are on our way to recovery."

 

Florida Politics

Sandra Bermudez, founder and CEO of The Lucy Project, highlights the urgent need for effective reading instruction in Florida classrooms. "Most classrooms don't teach reading the way children's brains actually learn," she said, emphasizing the gap in traditional teaching methods. The Lucy Project has successfully embedded trained learning specialists in Title 1 schools, resulting in a dramatic increase in kindergartners reading at grade level—from 5% to 52%. With plans to expand to nine schools and first-grade students, the initiative aims to replicate its success statewide. The societal return on investment for moving a child to grade-level reading is estimated at $227,000, while the cost per child is only $1,500. Bermudez urges parents and legislators to support sustained investment in effective reading programs to prevent future educational challenges.

 

Florida Politics

Florida's Department of Education is facing criticism for its proposed science standards, which many believe undermine essential topics like evolution and climate change. A frustrated science teacher expressed concern, asking: "How am I supposed to teach about fossils?" The new guidelines seem to erase significant scientific concepts, with FDOE Commissioner Henry Mack stating, "Science begins in wonder, not in ideology." Critics argue that the proposal reflects a broader trend of minimizing scientific education in favor of ideological beliefs. As climate change impacts become more evident, the decision to omit critical information raises alarms about the future of Florida's students. Pat Beall, a columnist for the Sun Sentinel, highlights the absurdity of the situation, suggesting that the state's approach to education may leave students unprepared for real-world challenges.

 

Orlando Sentinel

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has launched MIT for America, a nationwide initiative to expand STEM education for students from kindergarten through community college. The program focuses on mathematics, responsible artificial intelligence (AI), and hands-on engineering and design. Building on existing initiatives, MIT will expand calculus tutoring, provide teachers with AI education resources, and increase access to project-based learning through fabrication laboratories and sustainability challenges. The initiative aims to address gaps in STEM participation, with just 6% of U.S. high school students enrolled in computer science courses in 2024, despite more than 60% of schools offering them. MIT hopes to improve educational access, workforce readiness, and economic mobility.

 

GovTech

The School Board of Manatee County has initiated a lawsuit against Southwest Charter Foundation Inc., which operates Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy and Manatee Charter School, over a dispute regarding sales tax revenue. This revenue, generated from a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016, is intended for public school renovations and construction. Although Florida law mandates sharing tax revenue with charter schools for taxes approved after July 1, 2020, the district argues that the charter schools are not entitled to any funds from this earlier tax. Daniel DeLeo, the attorney for the school board, stated, “We could see the writing on the wall,” indicating that a legal confrontation was anticipated. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for other Florida districts facing similar issues regarding tax revenue distribution.

 

Bradenton.com

Leon County Schools is preparing to secure a $30m short-term loan from Capital City Bank to address a seasonal cash-flow gap. Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasized the importance of timely payroll for staff, stating, "Making sure they receive their paychecks on time is not optional." The loan, with a 3.95% interest rate, will be repaid by anticipated property tax receipts due in December. This financial strategy is not unique to Leon County, as 15 other Florida school districts have also utilized tax anticipation notes to manage similar timing issues. Despite previous efforts to balance funds, the district now faces increased operational costs and reduced funding, leading to significant financial pressure. Hanna remains committed to transparency and community engagement during this challenging period.

 

Tallahassee.com

At Moreland's Alternative Academy in Pompano Beach, kindergartners express their confidence, with one stating, "We're smart." This confidence stems from the efforts of Karen Moreland-Alford, who transformed the school from a few students to nearly 200. She credits Florida's education choice scholarships for enabling her school to thrive. These scholarships not only provide families with options but also empower educators to create schools that cater to diverse needs. The Urban Institute found that low-income students using Florida's tax credit scholarship enroll in college at higher rates than their peers. With over half of Florida's K-12 students attending schools outside their zoned districts, education choice is reshaping public education. Erika Donalds, founder and CEO of Education Freedom Foundation, emphasizes the need to expand these opportunities, stating, "When you trust parents and free educators, children rise."

 

The Miami Herald

Broward County Public Schools is contemplating the closure of 10 schools as part of its "Redefining our Schools" initiative for the 2026-2027 academic year. Superintendent Howard Hepburn emphasized: "Non-action is not an option," highlighting the district's financial struggles with over 60,000 empty student seats and a loss of more than 48,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a revenue drop of about $430m. School board member Allen Zeman suggested considering the closure of 26 schools in future meetings. The board has not made any final decisions yet, with a vote on the proposals expected later this year. Community feedback has been solicited through meetings to discuss the future of the schools.

 

Bradenton.com

The Miami Herald

Dr. Mary Rivers, founder of Teacher Retention Academy, emphasizes the importance of understanding why teachers choose to stay in their schools. "We need to understand why teachers leave, but we can learn just as much by listening to the teachers who stay," Rivers said. She advocates for educational leaders to focus on the early years of teaching as a critical opportunity for long-term retention. This includes providing individualized support, fostering strong relationships, and creating a culture of belonging. Rivers believes that new and alternatively certified teachers are vital to the future workforce and should not be viewed merely as temporary hires. Instead, schools should invest in their success to ensure they remain in the profession for years to come. The Teacher Retention Academy aims to help schools develop effective strategies for retaining educators.

 

The Northwest Florida Daily News