By Kara Arundel No requests from states to extend spending deadlines for COVID-19 federal emergency funds for K-12 schools have been denied so far, according to the U.S. Department of Education, which has been reviewing the requests. About half the states requested spending extensions from... Continue Reading
By Jeffrey S. Solochek Even before the law took effect in July, school district leaders across Florida raised yellow flags about new requirements to keep all campus gates and doors locked whenever children are present. It took just over a week with students in classes to see just how... Continue Reading
By Ken Jackson Osceola Prosper, the local initiative that offers high school graduates from the county a paid-for Associate’s degree at Valencia College or certification training program is having an impact. That feeling comes from Osceola County, which has brought it forward; Valencia,... Continue Reading
By Ana Goñi-Lessan With early votes counted and all precincts reporting Election Day results, Rocky Hanna has won his Democratic primary race for Leon County Schools superintendent. According to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Hanna, the incumbent, received 82% of the vote,... Continue Reading
By Jim Saunders The Florida Department of Education on Tuesday issued what it described as a “model policy” to help school districts carry out a controversial new law that allows volunteer school chaplains. Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement the model policy... Continue Reading
The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme “Honoring Hispanic Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in... Continue Reading
By Ava Van Valen The High School High Tech program has been changing the lives of students with disabilities throughout Florida, including in Leon County, for 30 years. The program provides Florida high school students with disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or post-secondary... Continue Reading
Compared with the wild twists and turns of the presidential election, today’s Florida’s primary election is expected to be relatively tame. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote in their assigned polling locations and bring an ID that includes a photo and a... Continue Reading
By: Jay Waagmeester Opening day teacher vacancies dropped by 13.3% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the Florida Department of Education. A news release from the department did not include the total number of vacancies, nor did officials respond to a request for the number. A year ago,... Continue Reading
The Biden administration is hiking pay for educators in the early childhood program Head Start as part of an effort to retain current employees and attract new ones in the midst of a workforce shortage. The administration's new rules, published Friday, will require large operators to put... Continue Reading
By Sarah D. Sparks School safety concerns may worsen ongoing absenteeism in schools, suggest new federal data. Thirteen percent of high school students reported missing school in 2023 out of safety concerns, according to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However,... Continue Reading
By Christopher Saul A coordinated effort involving 90 volunteers from local organizations has readied nine schools in the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. The volunteers contributed a total of 540 hours to various tasks, ensuring that the schools... Continue Reading
