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Florida
2nd November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

AFT sues over loan forgiveness

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), representing approximately 1.8m members, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully delayed or denied student loan forgiveness for tens of thousands of eligible public service workers. The lawsuit accuses Education Secretary Linda McMahon of miscalculating qualifying payments, reducing borrowers' previously credited payment counts, and failing to process applications under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program. The program allows eligible government and nonprofit employees to receive federal student loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments, generally over 10 years. According to a court filing, approximately 88,000 borrowers were awaiting buyback decisions as of spring 2026. AFT President Randi Weingarten argues that the delays have forced teachers, nurses, and first responders to continue making payments despite meeting forgiveness requirements. The Education Department disputes the allegations.

F.A.S.T PREPARATION

FAST Gains Are Built Before Spring

92% of Florida schools using Lumos with fidelity see a 10–15% lift on FAST scores. The schools that gain the most don’t cram in spring. They use the winter months.

With PM1 results in hand and PM2 underway, November is when your PLCs can turn that data into targeted practice inside existing intervention blocks — so students keep climbing toward the PM3 accountability window in the spring.

What Lumos gives your campus:
  • Two full-length, tech-enhanced practice tests that mirror the FAST format
  • Aligned to Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards and the FAST blueprint
  • AI-powered intervention that targets each student’s gaps
  • Blended print + online: the same practice in class or at home

See the print and online samples for yourself.

See FAST Samples Now

 

STATE NEWS

Florida's costly free speech battles

Last week, Eastern Florida State College settled a lawsuit for $250,000 with Erika Santos, a grant accountant fired for expressing her views on Charlie Kirk, stating he was "anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-woman's rights." The ACLU's Michelle Morton emphasized that "freedom of speech means little if people must choose between expressing their beliefs and keeping their livelihoods." This case is part of a broader trend in Florida, where public employees have faced repercussions for their opinions, leading to significant settlements and legal fees. For instance, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has also paid out large settlements, including $485,000 to one employee. The state's actions have raised concerns about the violation of First Amendment rights, with critics arguing that the government should not silence dissenting voices. As legal battles continue, the financial burden on taxpayers grows, with no signs of resolution in sight.

NATIONAL NEWS

Federal education civil rights protections face uncertainty

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received a record 22,687 discrimination complaints in fiscal year 2024, raising concerns about the federal government's ability to protect students from racial harassment, sexual discrimination, and disability-related violations. In June 2026, the Trump administration announced an agreement to transfer most of OCR's enforcement responsibilities to the Department of Justice (DOJ), whose Educational Opportunities Section employed approximately 40 lawyers in January 2025 and subsequently lost most of its staff. The transition comes amid significant staffing reductions, the closure of seven of OCR's 12 regional offices, and a decline in complaint resolution agreements from 5% of pending cases in 2024 to less than 1% in 2025. Unlike OCR, which is required to review every complaint, the DOJ typically pursues a limited number of cases, often through lengthy federal court proceedings. Former Education Department officials warn that the restructuring could leave thousands of discrimination complaints uninvestigated, delay resolutions, and weaken federal civil rights protections for students.

TECHNOLOGY

School leaders face AI adoption barriers...

Nearly one-third of school and district leaders are not using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for operational tasks, according to a nationally representative EdWeek Research Center survey conducted between August 26 and October 6, 2026. The survey, which included 262 school and district leaders among 852 educators, found that administrators who use AI primarily apply it to communications, foreign-language translation, strategic planning, employee evaluations, and class scheduling. Education leaders identified student privacy concerns, limited staff expertise, insufficient professional development, and the absence of national guidelines as significant barriers to broader adoption. While many districts remain focused on AI's instructional implications, some are exploring its potential to improve administrative efficiency. Washington state's Peninsula School District, for example, uses AI to optimize transportation routes, enrollment reporting, and substitute teacher data analysis. Education leaders emphasized the importance of providing staff training, establishing clear safeguards, and developing consistent national guidance to help schools use AI effectively while protecting sensitive student information.

...as student AI adoption outpaces teacher readiness

Project Tomorrow's 2025–26 Speak Up National Report has highlighted growing student demand for AI literacy, critical thinking, and practical technology skills, drawing on feedback from more than 95,000 students, parents, educators, and administrators across 1,023 U.S. schools. The survey found that 46% of high school students learned about AI independently, compared with 30% through classroom instruction, while weekly or daily AI use for studying and research increased from 23% in 2023–24 to 40% in 2025–26. Students emphasized the importance of understanding how AI generates information, identifying inaccuracies and bias, and applying technology to real-world challenges. Nearly half of high school respondents wanted stronger connections between classroom learning and practical applications or future careers. However, only 11% of teachers reported feeling very comfortable allowing students to use AI, highlighting a gap between student adoption and classroom readiness. 

SAFETY & SECURITY

School lockdowns reveal socioeconomic disparities

U.S. public school students face significant disparities in exposure to school lockdowns triggered by actual or nearby threats of violence, according to a study published in Educational Researcher. Drawing on data from more than 10,000 children, primarily ages 12 and 13, researchers found that approximately 20% had experienced a lockdown, including 8% in the previous year and just over 12% before that period. Students attending schools in lower-income districts and living in disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to experience recent lockdowns, highlighting inequalities in exposure to potentially traumatic events. Researchers warned that lockdowns can disrupt instructional time and affect students' emotional well-being, particularly in communities already facing limited resources. The study recommends standardized national tracking of lockdown incidents, stronger post-incident mental health support, and greater investment in preventing school violence, while acknowledging that its sample was not fully representative of the national student population.

DISTRICTS

Monroe County earns top education honor

The Florida State Board of Education has recognized the Monroe County School District as an Academically High-Performing School District, a designation awarded to only 18 districts in Florida. This honor, established by state law in 2007, evaluates the overall operation of a school system rather than just academic outcomes.  The designation also allows for scheduling flexibility, permitting up to two days of virtual instruction each school year. The district highlighted its commitment to academic excellence and responsible resource management, showcasing a range of educational offerings from early learning to college readiness programs. Additionally, three Keys schools have been named Schools of Excellence.

Okeechobee schools close due to flooding

Okeechobee County Schools will be closed today due to significant flooding and anticipated rainfall that "could further impact local roadways," according to a district announcement. The district emphasized that "the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority" and will continue to monitor conditions. A state of emergency was declared, urging residents to "remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel whenever possible."  

LEGAL

No charges for Broward coach Cannon

The State Attorney's Office has decided not to prosecute Shaune Cannon, a former Broward School District basketball coach, for allegedly collecting $6,000 through unauthorized gym rentals. The office concluded it could not prove criminal intent, as Cannon had received verbal authorization from Principal Claire Norris to use the gym. While Cannon violated district policies, the lack of clear criminal intent led to the decision not to press charges. The investigation also involved five other coaches, with varying outcomes, as the district aims to improve compliance with facility rental policies.

SPORTS

Norvell's downfall: a recruiting failure

Former Florida State coach Mike Norvell was dismissed primarily due to his failure to recruit and develop elite talent from Florida. Since 2021, the Seminoles signed only one top-ten senior recruit, who was later dismissed from the team. An analysis of recruiting classes from 2022 to 2026 indicates mixed results, with many highly-rated players transferring or underperforming. While some players made an impact, the overall lack of success in recruiting has raised questions about Norvell's coaching abilities and the support he received.  

HIGHER EDUCATION

Innovators unite for Florida Tech event

Florida Tech will host a Student + Industry Mixer at the Vertex Applied Innovation Hub on Thursday, featuring Carol Craig, founder and chief executive of Craig Technologies and Sidus Space, as the keynote speaker. The event aims to connect students with industry professionals, offering insights into career navigation and fostering collaboration. Craig will share her experiences in the aerospace and technology sectors, providing valuable knowledge to aspiring innovators. The evening promises impactful conversations and networking opportunities, as Florida Tech Innovation Week brings together researchers, students, and industry leaders for four days of exploration and connection. 

INTERNATIONAL

Alberta announces education property tax cuts

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced reductions to education property taxes beginning in 2027, with homeowners and farmland owners expected to save nearly 7%, and commercial and industrial property owners receiving reductions of almost 5%. The province will introduce a standardized tax rate across municipalities and freeze it for three years, generating an estimated C$100m ($71.54m) in taxpayer savings during the first year. The announcement follows criticism of previous tax increases, particularly in Calgary, and comes amid declining political support for Smith’s government. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack welcomed the changes, while opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi argued that the reductions would provide limited relief after earlier increases. The government has also promised a one-time transition tax credit for affected property owners and confirmed that education funding will not be reduced.
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