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Florida
28th October 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida teacher's Facebook post post deemed private

A Florida judge has recommended dismissing a misconduct case against Kelly Brock-Sanchez, an exceptional student education teacher at Ridgeview Elementary School, regarding her Facebook post celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In her ruling, Division of Administrative Hearings Judge Suzanne Van Wyk stated: “Though someone decided to more broadly disseminate the post, (Brock-Sanchez) did not make that decision.” The Department of Education argued that the post was made on a public page, but it was actually private, limiting access to her 300 friends. The post went viral after being shared, leading to overwhelming responses, including threats. Despite the disturbance caused at the school, the judge found that the allegations against Brock-Sanchez were unfounded. Similar cases involving other educators have also been recommended for dismissal.

NATIONAL NEWS

McMahon names six education leaders to guide national testing policy

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has appointed six education leaders to the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees policies for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card. The appointees include elementary teacher Lauren Archer, high school principal Jacob Dykes, curriculum specialist Melia Franklin, mathematics teacher Mark Miller, Arkansas education secretary Jacob Oliva, and Arizona state representative Michael Way, who will serve as a parent representative. McMahon has also reappointed Tennessee state representative Mark White as board chair for a second one-year term. The appointments come as the board prepares to release national reading and math assessment results in early 2027 and advance its Next Gen NAEP modernization initiative. The 26-member board determines assessment subjects, content, achievement standards, and reporting policies, shaping how student performance is measured and communicated nationwide.

STATE NEWS

Florida's future workforce is here

Karen Moore, chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation, emphasized the importance of early learning and addressing childhood poverty in Florida's economic strategy during the 2026 Future of Florida Forum. “Those kids who will be our workforce in 2040 are four years old today,” Moore said, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates early education, K-12 schools, and higher education. The upcoming Florida 2040 Blueprint aims to tackle these issues, with research beginning next year and a planned unveiling in Fall 2028. Moore pointed out that reducing childhood poverty and enhancing educational quality are crucial for preparing children for future jobs. David Sweeney, chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, echoed the need for sustainable growth and infrastructure development to ensure lasting prosperity for all Floridians. Both leaders stressed the importance of long-term planning beyond immediate political cycles. “We need to be looking at the horizon,” Moore said.

Florida fights back on evolution teaching

Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack defended the state's approach to teaching evolution, stating, "Evolutionary biology and the theory of evolution is in the standards." This response came amid criticism from parents and teachers who attended a forum discussing proposed changes to Florida's science standards. Concerns were raised that these changes might de-emphasize evolution, a fundamental aspect of biological science. Mack's comments aim to reassure stakeholders that evolution remains a key component of the curriculum despite ongoing debates.

GOVERNANCE

Conservative PAC targets Brevard School Board

The 1776 Project PAC, which supports conservative school board candidates, spent over $75,000 on voter outreach in Brevard County and more than $200,000 across Florida school board races this election cycle. The group endorsed Gene Trent and Tammy Dennis, although expenditure filings do not identify beneficiaries. Founded in 2021, the PAC prioritizes parental rights, school safety, and opposition to diversity initiatives. University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett linked increased national involvement to pandemic-era disputes, noting that partisan messaging has shifted attention away from traditional school governance issues.

Florida's evolution standards under fire

Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack has addressed concerns regarding the state's new science standards, which some critics argue downplay evolution. "Evolutionary biology and the theory of evolution is in the standards," Mack said, emphasizing that evolution remains a fundamental concept in biology. However, parents and teachers expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the proposed standards "danced around" the topic. The new guidelines, which will replace the existing ones, have faced scrutiny for lacking depth on evolution and climate change. Mack acknowledged the need for clearer teaching methods, stating, "We might have to do a better job of helping students question more." The State Board of Education is set to vote on these standards in December.

WORKFORCE

OCPS teachers face rising healthcare costs

Healthcare expenses for teachers and staff in Orange County Public Schools may soon rise, with the school board recently postponing a vote on recommendations from a special magistrate. Clinton McCracken, president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, expressed concern, stating: “I do think we're in a difficult time.” The district faces budget challenges due to declining student enrollment, impacting per-pupil funding. The magistrate's recommendations included a 2.5% wage increase for teachers, which is less than the union's request of 3%. However, the district rejected these recommendations, citing an additional $105.1m in costs. The union is mobilizing members for a hearing on November 13, as they seek to address the financial strain on educators.

Teachers shine in Duval County

In Jacksonville, nearly 170 teachers have been nominated by their peers for the 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year program, competing for the title of 2027 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. The winner will be revealed at the EDDY Awards on January 23, 2027. Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, said: “Every day, our teachers bring dedication, creativity, and care to the demanding work of helping students learn and thrive.” The selection process involves narrowing down nominees to 15 semifinalists, then to five finalists through classroom observations. Dr. Christopher Bernier, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, emphasized the significant impact teachers have beyond the classroom, stating: “We are proud to recognize these Teacher of the Year honorees for the difference they make in the lives of students every day.”

DISTRICTS

Tarpon Springs Middle's K-8 conversion sparks debate

The Pinellas County School Board is facing pushback over plans to convert Tarpon Springs Middle into a K-8 campus. Parents have raised concerns about whether the facility, designed for older students, can adequately accommodate younger children. The board is set to consider a $188,820 contract for renovations aimed at preparing the school for its new role by fall 2027. Community activist Debbie McKinney expressed skepticism, stating that a K-8 at Tarpon Springs Middle is “NOT the SAME and Not Better than what we have” at Sunset Hills Elementary. While some parents acknowledge the need for consolidation due to declining enrollment, they seek a more comprehensive solution rather than the current approach.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Ultra-processed foods linked to brain responses

A study published in JAMA Network Open has found that children who consume more ultra-processed foods exhibit stronger brain reward responses to images of junk food, potentially contributing to weight gain. Researchers analyzed 46 children and found that greater activity in the dorsal striatum, a brain region associated with reward and motivation, was linked to higher body mass index (BMI) and increased body fat one year later. U.S. children obtain approximately 67% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, including packaged snacks, sugary cereals, and ready-made meals. Researchers emphasized that the observational study does not establish causation, and further research is planned to investigate whether healthier diets can alter brain responses and reduce obesity risk.

Orange County's smoke shop showdown

Orange County commissioners are considering a proposal to prohibit new smoke shops from opening within 1,000 feet of schools, aiming to protect youth from smoking and vaping exposure. Commissioner Nicole Wilson emphasized that the proposal targets future establishments without affecting existing businesses. The proposal has sparked differing opinions; smoke shop owner Susan Samara expressed concerns about its effectiveness, stating: “I really don't think that seeing a smoke shop sign is going to trigger people to start smoking.” In contrast, parent Sah Sodii supported the buffer zone, arguing that smoke shops impact the entire community. The first public hearing is part of a two-hearing process, with further public input expected before a decision is made.

CYBERSECURITY

U.S. schools struggle to contain cyber threats amid budget cuts, staff shortages, and AI risks

More than half of U.S. K-12 schools and districts experienced a cybersecurity incident over the past year, according to a report from the Center for Internet Security, MS-ISAC, and the Consortium for School Networking. Among affected institutions, 34% reported disruptions to daily operations, while 66% had just one or two dedicated cybersecurity staff members. The survey of 426 education technology leaders found that 56% considered their cybersecurity programs underfunded, 70% had delayed security investments because of budget constraints, and nearly 80% needed additional support. Phishing and email compromises were identified as leading threats by 87% of respondents, with artificial intelligence creating additional risks through increasingly sophisticated impersonation attempts. The report recommends stronger authentication, staff training, incident response planning, and formal AI policies to improve cybersecurity resilience and protect essential school services.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Trump Accounts raise financial aid concerns as families await federal guidance

Uncertainty over how Trump Accounts will affect college financial aid is raising concerns among families and education advocates, despite the program's expansion to millions of American children. The tax-advantaged investment accounts provide $1,000 in federal seed funding for eligible newborns, while private donors and companies have pledged additional contributions for older children. Although the legislation treats Trump Accounts as individual retirement accounts, which are generally excluded from federal financial aid calculations, withdrawals used for college expenses could count as student income and reduce eligibility for need-based assistance. The U.S. Department of Education has yet to clarify how these funds should be reported on FAFSA applications. With more than 7m accounts established by families and automatic account creation underway for over 70m eligible children, advocates are calling for clearer guidance to help families make informed savings decisions.

INTERNATIONAL

Alberta teachers warn of ongoing classroom pressures

One year after Alberta’s government forced teachers back to work following a three-week strike, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has warned that overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and inadequate student support remain unresolved. The 2025 Back to School Act imposed a four-year collective agreement and invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield the legislation from legal challenges. ATA president Jason Schilling described relations with the provincial government as “frosty,” calling for sustained education funding and the restoration of teachers’ Charter rights. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended the government’s actions, highlighting the hiring of 2,100 teachers, 1,000 educational assistants, and plans for 700 classroom complexity teams, of which 81 are operational. 

Spanish language education expands across China

Spanish language education is experiencing rapid growth across China, with nearly 98,000 potential Spanish speakers and university course enrollment increasing 12.6% between 2023 and 2025, according to the Cervantes Institute’s Spanish in the World 2026 yearbook. The report, launched in Beijing to mark the institute’s 20th anniversary in China, highlights the expansion of Spanish programs from just 12 Chinese universities in 2000 to more than 100 today, while approximately 180 secondary schools offered Spanish courses as of 2025. Chinese universities have produced an estimated 55,000 Hispanic studies graduates through the class of 2025, reflecting growing demand for Spanish language skills and cultural exchange. The institute, which opened its Beijing center in 2006 and expanded to Shanghai in 2024, is also emphasizing Spanish’s growing importance in science, technology, and artificial intelligence.
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