By Margie Menzel In 2023, the Legislature approved what is often called “universal school choice,” which removed income as a qualification and made private school affordable to many more Floridians. But it’s also reduced enrollment in public school districts, which receive... Continue Reading
By Wayne Washington The Palm Beach County School District could lose as much as $47 million in state funding, including a 50% cut in money high schools use to offer college and career coursework, such as AP, IB and AICE classes. School board members have been increasingly alarmed by proposals... Continue Reading
By Ariel Schiller The St. Johns County School Board is nearing the selection of its next superintendent. During a special board meeting, board members selected 10 semifinalists for the position as the current superintendent, Tim Forson, will retire at the end of June after nine years in the... Continue Reading
By Andrew Powell A bill seeking to update and refine regulations related to pre-K-12 education in Florida is on its way to the Senate floor. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee passed the measure (SB 1618) by a vote of 18-1. Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud presented the bill by spotlighting... Continue Reading
By Andrew Powell The Florida Senate passed a measure Wednesday that seeks various changes to school choice scholarship programs and funding to increase transparency and improve efficiency for schools and families. The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Committee introduced the bill (SB... Continue Reading
By A.G. Gancarski The next stop for bills promoting the “Gulf of America” name is Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis was the first state official to use the new name in an executive order declaring a state of emergency over a Winter storm last month. That order said the... Continue Reading
By Neal Morton During lunch on a Thursday, five dozen students rummaged through fishing lines and hooks, spreading reels and rods across desks in a science lab at Ferris High School for their weekly crash course in angling. At least one angler later practiced tumbles and routines with the... Continue Reading
By Rivkie Berger, OTR/L Students with sensory challenges may struggle to focus, stay calm and engage in learning. They might appear hyperactive, disruptive or restless when they simply need to find the right sensory tool to self-regulate. Using sensory tools empowers students so that they are... Continue Reading
By A.G. Gancarski The full Senate is poised to consider legislation that would impose reporting requirements and mandate the removal of teachers accused of a wide variety of crimes detailed in Florida Statutes. The Rules Committee advanced Sen. Clay Yarborough’s legislation (SB 1374)... Continue Reading
By Colleen Wixon Felix A. Williams Elementary School Principal Sarah Tuthill has been named a finalist for state principal of the year. Who: Sarah Tuthill has been principal of Felix A. Williams since 2022. She is one of three finalists, including Joseph Mikulski, principal of Golden Gate High... Continue Reading
By Michelle Vecerina A bill proposing an amendment to the Florida Constitution to impose an eight-year term limit on county commissioners and school district board members passed its final committee stop Tuesday and will head to the House floor. What it does: HJR 679 introduces an eight-year... Continue Reading
By Jesse Scheckner A bill that would make it easier for public schools to be converted into charter schools is one vote from passing in the House after clearing its final committee hurdle. Members of the House Education and Employment Committee voted 11-4 for an amended version of HB 123,... Continue Reading
