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Florida
9th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida school tax referendums win broad support

Florida voters have demonstrated strong support for public education funding while simultaneously endorsing property tax relief, approving 26 of 27 local school tax referendums alongside Amendment 3, which expands homestead property tax exemptions. The amendment received 62% statewide support, while school funding measures secured overwhelming backing across urban, rural, conservative, and liberal communities. In Miami-Dade and Walton counties, at least 80% of voters supported school property taxes aimed at maintaining competitive teacher salaries, highlighting a willingness to invest in education despite concerns about rising living costs. Education advocates argue that the results demonstrate public confidence in local school districts and reinforce the importance of protecting school funding from broader tax reductions. Gov. Ron DeSantis has suggested reconsidering Florida’s school funding model to balance property tax relief with adequate education spending, while education leaders have proposed extending the renewal period for local school taxes from four to six years to provide greater financial stability. 

DESIGN MATTERS

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

 

STATE NEWS

Florida tax cuts shake up budgets

Following the approval of Amendment 3 by Florida voters, communities in Central Florida are preparing for significant budgetary challenges. The Orlando Sentinel's analysis reveals that Howey-in-the-Hills could lose $936,752 in property tax revenue by 2028, which is 22.5% of its general fund. Mayor Graham Wells said: "It's not going to impact us from paying the bills," but acknowledged the situation will worsen in subsequent years. Other towns like Belle Isle and Oviedo are also facing substantial losses, with Oviedo projected to lose over $10.4m, nearly 23% of its budget. Mayor Megan Sladek emphasized the need for collaboration among local law enforcement agencies to address these financial strains. The overall impact of Amendment 3 is expected to vary across municipalities, with some potentially facing severe service cuts or even unincorporation.

Florida school choice faces accessibility test

David Brown, co-founder of Family Initiative, urges Florida’s incoming administration under Governor-elect Byron Donalds to strengthen educational opportunities for children with autism and disabilities. He highlights Erika Donalds’ advocacy for parent-directed education funding and expanded school choice, emphasizing that families need access to appropriate learning environments. Brown identifies three priorities: timely scholarship payments, increased availability of qualified educators and therapists, and accountability based on student outcomes. He argues that Florida’s school choice system must deliver practical, accessible options for children with diverse learning needs, regardless of family income or location.

GOVERNANCE

School board expertise sparks governance debate

A new Education Week survey has highlighted the diverse professional backgrounds of school board members, with 44% of 478 respondents reporting no professional experience in education, compared with 30% who had worked as classroom teachers. The findings have sparked debate over whether education experience is essential for effective school governance. Supporters of diverse professional backgrounds argue that expertise in finance, construction, technology, and management can strengthen boards’ ability to oversee budgets, policies, and major projects, while ensuring broader community representation. Others emphasize that firsthand teaching experience provides valuable insight into classroom operations, instructional practices, and student needs. The discussion suggests that effective school governance depends on balancing professional expertise, community advocacy, collaboration, and a commitment to student success.

WORKFORCE

Orange County voters back education funding

Orange County voters have reaffirmed their commitment to public education by renewing the one-mill referendum. Clinton McCracken, president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, expressed gratitude for the community's support, stating: "Your support demonstrates how deeply our community values strong public schools." This renewal comes at a crucial time as the Orange County School Board faces decisions regarding educator pay and health insurance. While the Special Magistrate's recommendations for salary increases were accepted as a compromise, they still fall short of addressing the rising cost of living for educators. The referendum raises questions about how funds will be allocated, as OCPS is the only large Florida district not dedicating a portion to increase educator pay. Surrounding counties have approved similar measures that provide significant raises for teachers.

CHARTERS

Charter schools take on Pasco district

A trio of charter schools is suing Pasco County Schools, claiming the district is unlawfully delaying local millage funds. The lawsuit, filed by operators of four schools, argues that state law mandates monthly or bi-monthly payments starting July 1. Jessica Meek, the district's public information officer, stated: “The district's standard practice is to distribute funds to charter schools as those funds are received,” typically around November. The charter schools contend that a 2021 court ruling supports their position. They assert that the district's delay in payments, which could total $2.9m, imposes significant operational burdens due to their limited reserves. The plaintiffs' attorneys from Arnold Law Firm emphasized that the district has sufficient resources to meet its funding obligations but has chosen to prioritize its own fund balance instead. The case will be heard by an administrative law judge at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.

Success Academy expands in Miami-Dade

Success Academy is establishing its presence in Miami-Dade County by setting up at Westland Hialeah, Homestead, North Miami, Hialeah-Miami Lakes, and Jackson Senior High Schools. This initiative is part of a controversial state policy known as co-location, which permits charter schools to utilize space in underenrolled public schools. Maleena Guandique, the principal at one of Success Academy's New York schools, emphasized: “There is no parent who doesn't want their kids to learn how to read, fall in love with reading and learning as young as 4, 5, 6 years old.” The charter school will cater to kindergarteners and first-graders, ensuring they are separated from high school students. However, concerns have been raised by Antonio White, president of the United Teachers of Dade, who argued that the arrangement benefits a competing school system at taxpayer expense. Despite the controversy, Success Academy is confident in its model, which includes play, sports, and arts in the curriculum.

TECHNOLOGY

Embracing AI in education: a must

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Claude become commonplace, schools face the challenge of integrating them responsibly into education. Christian M. Jacobs, an Ed.D. candidate and Broward County Public Schools teacher, emphasizes the importance of teaching students to use AI as a learning aid rather than a shortcut. He stated: “AI can be useful for checking understanding, asking questions or receiving an additional explanation, but it should not replace the student's own effort and thinking.” Broward County Public Schools has initiated programs like the “Broward Powered by AI” initiative to promote responsible AI use. Parents are encouraged to engage with their children about AI's role in their homework, ensuring that students verify AI-generated information and maintain their critical thinking skills. As AI continues to evolve, the focus should be on equipping students with the skills to navigate this technology effectively.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Recess: the key to learning

Recess is an essential component of children's education in the U.S., contributing significantly to their physical, mental, and cognitive health. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that reducing recess time to increase academic work can be counterproductive. Despite its importance, many schools have cut back on recess, with only 11 states having laws addressing it, according to a 2025 report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, yet children often receive less than this during school hours. Louisa Penfold from Harvard University highlights that unstructured play during recess supports students' focus, creativity, and overall well-being. As she stated, "the amount of time school recess is given matters in children's development as whole human beings." Advocacy groups like Say Yes to Recess are pushing for more protected recess time, recognizing its critical role in fostering healthy development.

Transforming schools with music magic

The transformation network in Hillsborough County is revitalizing struggling schools through innovative strategies, including the use of music. At Mort Elementary, special education teacher Samantha Ciaccio, also known as the morning DJ, plays music to uplift students as they arrive. Principal Kelly Snellgrove said: “The DJ plays music every day, no matter what, so that when the kids walk into school, any trauma or anything that happened the night before, we just erase it from their minds.” The district's efforts have led to significant improvements, with Mort sustaining a B grade after leaving the transformation network. The initiative addresses broader issues, such as economic disadvantage and community challenges, while emphasizing the importance of strong leadership and a supportive environment.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Students track trash in waterways

In Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County students are collaborating with the ANGARI Foundation to investigate the journey of trash in local waterways. Eco-friendly drift cards will be released into the water tomorrow, with the public encouraged to locate and report their findings. “So we're basically trying to track our trash,” said Laura Jessop from ANGARI Foundation. The initiative aims to identify areas where floating debris accumulates, enhancing environmental protection efforts. Students from Palm Springs Community Middle School are also creating their own drift cards, linking classroom learning to real-world environmental issues.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Coalition opposes expanded federal grant controls

More than 100 organizations, including the Association of American Universities, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Association of School Business Officials International, have urged Congress to intervene as federal agencies pursue changes to grant-making rules that would increase political oversight and give the Trump administration greater authority to cancel funding for projects that do not align with the president’s priorities. In a letter to lawmakers, the coalition argued that the proposed changes contradict bipartisan provisions passed by Congress in September and threaten congressional authority over federal spending. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Russell Vought, initially proposed the changes in May, but the White House cannot finalize the regulations until mid-December. The coalition warned that allowing agencies to implement similar measures could undermine Congress’s control over federal funding, create uncertainty for grant recipients, and raise constitutional concerns about the separation of powers. The OMB’s final rule is also expected to face legal challenges.

Young voters make their mark

Florida State University students observed an increase in young voters at the polls during the recent midterm elections, expressing hope for continued engagement in future elections. Gianna Micheo, a first-time voter, said, "I feel like I'm finally a part of the real world," highlighting the significance of voting for young adults. According to Tufts University, approximately 22% of eligible Floridians aged 18 to 29 participated in the 2022 midterm elections. Ashley Lawlor, another FSU student, noted the unexpected turnout of young voters, stating, "I think everyone's pretty excited about voting."

INTERNATIONAL

EU faults TikTok over mental-health protections

The European Commission has preliminarily found that TikTok has failed to adequately protect users’ mental health, warning that its recommendation algorithm exposes young and vulnerable users to repetitive content that could exacerbate anxiety and eating disorders. Regulators said safeguards, including the “not interested” button, have been insufficient to prevent users from encountering similar content related to dieting and body image, raising concerns that the platform’s engagement-driven model draws users into potentially harmful content “rabbit holes.”

Sweden bans phones in schools

Sweden has implemented a new rule requiring students in compulsory schools to surrender their phones for the entire school day, effective August 1. The Library of Congress reported that “new rules took effect prohibiting students from using cellphones in Swedish compulsory schools during the school day.” This policy aligns with Sweden's investment in printed learning materials, aiming for “one textbook per pupil and subject.” Funding for this initiative began with approximately $70m in 2023, with plans for ongoing support. Lawmaker Joar Forsell stated, “We're rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids.” However, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Europe found no significant difference in mental wellbeing between students at schools with strict phone policies and those with more lenient rules. The debate continues over the impact of digitization on academic performance.
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