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Florida
13th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

U.S. voters reject school funding increases

U.S. voters rejected numerous proposals to increase public school funding in the 2026 midterm elections, reflecting growing concerns about property taxes, household affordability, and education spending. In Texas, fewer than one-third of 78 school district funding measures passed, while most proposals also failed in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Virginia. Ohio voters approved just five of 39 proposed school district income taxes, while Virginia rejected 32 of 47 proposed local sales tax increases for school infrastructure. In New Hampshire, approximately 59% of voters supported limits on school district property-tax increases, according to the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials. Although funding measures secured majority approval in nine other states, several districts face significant financial consequences, including potential budget cuts and closures. Wisconsin’s Hustisford school district announced its dissolution following repeated unsuccessful tax referendums, highlighting the mounting financial pressures facing public education.

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

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Treasury targets year-end rules for $1,700 federal school choice tax credit

The IRS is preparing to introduce expansive eligibility rules for a new federal K-12 school choice program, aiming to allow scholarship funds to cover a wide range of educational expenses beyond private school tuition. The Treasury Department expects to publish updated regulations by the end of 2026, ahead of the program's January 1, 2027, launch. Under the initiative, taxpayers can receive dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, with at least 32 states already participating. Potential eligible expenses include tutoring, before- and after-school programs, special needs services, and educational technology, although specific rules remain under development. Public school advocates have raised concerns that private schools could benefit disproportionately, while disability organizations have urged regulators to prevent scholarship funds from replacing legally mandated services. Treasury officials are also developing payroll deduction guidance and working with tax preparers to increase awareness and participation. The remaining states and Washington, D.C., have until December 31 to decide whether to join the program.

States push to regulate ICE activity in schools

At least 23 U.S. states have considered legislation regulating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in K-12 public schools during 2026, following the Trump administration's removal of federal protections limiting immigration enforcement at sensitive locations. An NPR analysis identified 40 legislative proposals, including 35 seeking to restrict federal officers' access to schools and students, while only 11 became law before the academic year began. Proposed measures included requiring warrants, limiting school police cooperation with immigration authorities, and establishing procedures for responding to enforcement actions. Mississippi passed legislation requiring schools to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, while proposals in Minnesota, Tennessee, and several other states failed to advance. Education leaders warn that inconsistent state policies create uncertainty for administrators, potentially disrupt learning environments, and heighten concerns among immigrant families.

 
NPR

STATE NEWS

Amendment 3 shakes Florida municipalities

The passage of Amendment 3 in Florida is poised to drastically reduce non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties, leading to an estimated $13bn revenue loss for municipalities over the next two fiscal years. This significant cut has raised concerns about potential service reductions, project delays, and hiring freezes across the state. Jeff Brandes, founder and president of the Florida Policy Institute, stated: “Anybody who doesn't believe it's going to impact police and fire is not reading the numbers.” Local governments are now tasked with finding alternative revenue sources to maintain essential services, with some fearing that cities may struggle to survive in this new fiscal landscape. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava emphasized the importance of delivering services, stating: “We cannot minimize the passage of Amendment 3 means for our ability to deliver services our residents depend on.” As municipalities grapple with this new reality, the future of local governance in Florida hangs in the balance.

CHARTERS

Success Academy expands to Florida

Success Academy is set to open its first Florida school at Westland Hialeah Senior High, welcoming kindergarteners and first-graders through a newly constructed staircase. Founder Eva Moskowitz aims to establish a network of 40 schools in Florida over the next decade, stating: “Our goal is scale. It's district level reform.” The charter school, known for its rigorous standards and high test scores, plans to expand further in Miami-Dade, buoyed by a $50m donation from billionaire Ken Griffin. Critics, however, argue that the expansion could divert funds from traditional public schools. Moskowitz counters that the district has underutilized space and insists: “We are not causing district financial problems.” The incoming principal, Maleena Guandique, emphasizes the school's commitment to ensuring all students, including English language learners, achieve reading proficiency by the end of kindergarten.

DISTRICTS

Broward schools face major closures

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn has proposed closing 10 schools due to a significant decline in student enrollment and associated funding losses. The district has reported over 60,000 empty seats and a loss of more than 48,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a revenue drop of approximately $430m. The School Board previously voted to close six schools in January, with final decisions on the new closures expected in December. The recommended closures include Dolphin Bay Elementary and Silver Lakes Elementary, both transitioning students to Glades Middle School. The district's total enrollment has decreased from 236,667 to 224,324 students this academic year.

Lee County Schools face closure

The School District of Lee County is recommending the closure of Orangewood Elementary School and Tice Elementary School at the end of the 2026-2027 school year due to declining enrollment and high operating costs. The district stated: “We know this proposal brings up strong emotions, questions, and concerns.” Both schools have significant histories, with Orangewood Elementary established 77 years ago and Tice Elementary 99 years ago. The School Board will vote on this recommendation on December 8, 2026. If approved, the district will assist families with school placements. Former Lee County School Board member Gwynetta Gittens suggested exploring alternative solutions, such as combining the two schools, to address budget cuts creatively. Parent meetings are scheduled for both schools to discuss the proposal.

Fox Hollow Elementary to close in 2027

The Pasco County School Board voted 4-1 on November 3 to close Fox Hollow Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year, despite community objections regarding transportation and child care. Board member Jessica Wright expressed concerns about the closure's impact, stating: “I support relocating West Pasco Education Academy... but my concern is approving Fox Hollow's closure before we can understand its anticipated impact.” The district cited declining enrollment, with Fox Hollow operating at about 54% capacity and projected to drop to 47% by 2027-28. The board emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on the school's educators or students, with Board Member Cynthia Armstrong noting: “I don't want to see our funds going into supporting buildings … when they could be supporting students.” Future plans for the property remain uncertain, but Harding ruled out the possibility of it becoming a charter school.

Delay in Tarpon Springs school changes

Plans to reconfigure public school offerings in Tarpon Springs have been postponed until fall 2028, after Superintendent Kevin Hendrick recommended a delay to allow for better preparation. Hendrick stated: “This approach will ensure that families, staff, and students have a clear understanding of both the educational opportunities and facility enhancements.” The decision has sparked mixed reactions among parents, with some expressing relief and others feeling frustrated. Alyssa Tatum, a parent from Sunset Hills, noted: “Postponing the vote to give us time to digest the information and hold meaningful discussions is exactly what we as a community were asking.” However, concerns about trust in the district have emerged, with Erin Smith, another parent, saying: “This new recommendation is making us distrust the district and superintendent.” The school board will review the recommendation on December 15.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Confusion reigns over Miami-Dade school zone tickets

Concerns are rising in Miami-Dade County regarding potential wrongful tickets issued by school zone speed cameras due to confusing signage. Erick Perez, a resident, received a $100 ticket for speeding near Pinecrest Middle/High School, despite never passing that location. He discovered discrepancies in the school names and enforcement times, leading to the ticket's dismissal. Local 10 News reported that issues are widespread, prompting calls for accountability. Attorneys suggest halting ticket issuance until discrepancies are resolved and refunds for affected drivers. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office acknowledged an oversight in distinguishing between similar school names and stated that all violations during the affected period would be voided and refunded.  

New Palm Beach program tackles school bus safety

The Palm Beach County School District and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office have initiated the Palm Beach County School Bus Passing Safety Program to enhance safety for students. This program, in collaboration with BusPatrol, will equip approximately 750 buses with stop-arm cameras that activate when the bus displays flashing red lights. "Beginning Monday, drivers recorded illegally passing a stopped school bus will receive an educational warning by mail," said officials. Full enforcement starts on January 5, with confirmed violations resulting in a $225 civil penalty, although no points will be added to the driver's license. Florida law mandates that drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights, with specific rules for different road types.  

HEALTH & SAFETY

E-bike injuries surge: a growing concern

Micromobility devices, particularly e-bikes, have led to approximately 698,500 emergency room visits in the U.S. since 2017, with e-bike-related visits skyrocketing from about 6,300 annually to 59,200 in 2024. The Meldon Law study highlights that children under 14, who represent 18% of the population, account for 36% of injuries. "When a child's e-bike injuries are internal, 96.7% involve the head and neck," the report states. In Florida, where regulations are lax, e-bike speeds can reach 28 mph, and there is no minimum riding age. Despite legislative attempts to address these issues, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill aimed at improving safety just days before it would have taken effect. The report also provides resources for parents and emphasizes the importance of insurance coverage after accidents.

HIGHER EDUCATION

New College seeks $47.5m loan

New College of Florida is seeking state approval to borrow up to $47.5m to manage debt from the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus and refinance its own housing obligations. The proposal, which aims to address a housing shortage affecting students, includes raising housing rates by at least 10% in Fiscal Year 2028 and 5% annually for the next three years. J. Ben Watkins III, Director of the state Division of Bond Finance, noted that New College lacks a credit rating and has relied on legislative support, stating that the financing arrangement is “not only necessary but is expected to yield the best results in terms of cost and accommodative structure.” The financing plan requires exceptions to state borrowing guidelines and aims to alleviate the current housing crisis that has forced some students into hotels.

INTERNATIONAL

Google scales AI teacher training across new markets

Google has announced plans to expand its free AI Educator Series to Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and sub-Saharan Africa, helping teachers and university faculty integrate Gemini into classroom instruction, assessments, and administrative tasks. Developed in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, the program offers self-paced training, digital badges, and opportunities to earn continuing education credits. New U.S. modules focus on interactive assessments, game-based learning, and assignment design to strengthen critical thinking and responsible AI use. The expansion builds on existing initiatives across Asia and Europe, including training opportunities for more than one million educators in the Philippines and 650,000 teachers in the UK. Google also reported training 80,000 educators in India during September, while Malaysian teachers have reported saving three to five hours of preparation time per topic.
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