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Two federal judges have restricted the Trump administration's enforcement of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives aimed at schools and colleges. The rulings, from judges in Maryland and New Hampshire, were prompted by lawsuits from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, among others. They argue that the department overstepped its authority with the directives, noting also that the restrictions curb academic freedom. Judge Stephanie Gallagher said: “The government cannot proclaim entire categories of classroom content discriminatory to sidestep the bounds of its statutory authority,” highlighting the administration's procedural missteps. Judge Landya McCafferty noted that the vagueness of the directives could lead schools to eliminate DEI programs to avoid penalties. The Education Department's perceived lack of clarity on what constitutes impermissible DEI practices has raised concerns among educators. The unions hailed the rulings as a victory for educational freedom and equity. The case will now proceed as the court considers whether to permanently block the Department’s directive.  

 

Politico

Education Week News

NEA

New York Times

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The A–F grading scale has been a fundamental aspect of K-12 education, yet its effectiveness is increasingly questioned. A recent Education Week special report, “Grading and Assessment: How to Best Measure Student Success,” highlights how districts are reevaluating grading practices to better reflect student learning. Laura Link, an associate professor at the University of North Dakota, emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of grades, stating, “Grades can affect students' trajectories—not just academic trajectories but life trajectories.” The report discusses various districts' efforts to create equitable grading systems, including the San Leandro USD's shift to project-based learning and the elimination of class ranks in Connecticut's Watertown School District. These changes aim to ensure that grades accurately represent students' knowledge and abilities, moving away from traditional methods that may not serve all students effectively.

 

Education Week News

Florida's House Bill 1539 proposes a significant overhaul of book evaluation in public schools, allowing the removal of titles based on a single complaint regarding sexual content. This bill could lead to the banning of works like “1984” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” disregarding their educational and historical value. As William Johnson, director of PEN America's Florida office, warns, "This bill threatens to sever the thread between students and textually rich literature." The legislation narrows the definition of what is considered "harmful to minors," potentially leading to widespread censorship and limiting students' access to diverse literary works. By undermining the holistic evaluation of literature, HB 1539 risks stifling intellectual growth and artistic expression in Florida's educational system.

 

The Floridian

The Miami Herald

In the wake of recent shootings at Florida State University, students marched to the Capitol to advocate for stronger gun safety measures. Andres Perez, president of the FSU chapter of Students Demand Action, stated, “While we didn’t ask for this burden, this is our generation’s fight.” The protest was organized by Everytown for Gun Safety, highlighting concerns over a proposal to lower the age for purchasing firearms from 21 to 18. Broward County Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky emphasized the long-term trauma caused by gun violence, stating: “Life never goes back to normal.” Despite efforts to pass the Responsible Gun Ownership Act, which includes universal background checks, the bill has not progressed. The students' rally underscores a growing demand for legislative action to prevent further tragedies.

 

Orlando Weekly

The Alachua County School Board approved a 1.3% pay raise for teachers following a successful ratification by the teachers' union. This decision concludes a challenging negotiation period, described by Alachua County Education Association President Carmen Ward as the "most excruciating bargaining season we've ever had." The raise is retroactive to July 1, 2024, and comes in addition to a 1% step increase received earlier in the school year. The agreement was reached after the union previously rejected a 1.6% offer. Gabrielle Jaremczuk, the district's assistant superintendent of finance, noted that unforeseen changes in enrollment and state funding projections significantly impacted the district's financial situation.

 

The Gainesville Sun

The Polk County School Board has appointed James Greene as the new general counsel, following a unanimous 6-0 vote. Greene, who has served as general counsel for Pasco County Schools since 2023, was chosen over two other finalists, Adam Patton and Andriene Treasure. Board Chair William Allen expressed hopes of finalizing Greene's contract before the upcoming May 6 meeting. Greene brings extensive experience, having spent 23 years with the FBI, including 14 years as chief division counsel in Tampa. He graduated from Stetson University’s College of Law in 1997. The search for a new counsel was led by the consulting firm SGR after the initial search yielded only five applicants.

 

Lakeland Ledger

Gov. Ron DeSantis has nominated Adam Cervera to replace Brenda Fam on the Broward County School Board, effective May 1. Fam had previously resigned, citing “personal attacks” and “unprofessional behavior” from other board members. Cervera, a shareholder at Becker & Poliakoff and a member of the Florida Bar’s Eleventh Circuit Grievance Committee, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law.

 

Florida Politics

Sun Sentinel

On April 22, the Okaloosa County School District celebrated the achievements of 619 high school seniors during the Anne T. Mitchell Academic Senior Honors Assembly at Northwest Florida State College. Named after esteemed educator Anne T. Mitchell, the event recognized students from various high schools, including Baker and Choctawhatchee, who achieved a weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher, earning Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude distinctions. Superintendent Marcus Chambers remarked: "We had an amazing evening celebrating our students’ hard work, determination, and success." The ceremony also highlighted the well-rounded involvement of students in arts, athletics, and clubs, culminating in the announcement of the Peggy Gorday Bruner Award, awarded to Tina Le of Choctawhatchee High School for her excellence both in and out of the classroom.

 

The Northwest Florida Daily News

FAMU's presidential search is facing significant scrutiny due to allegations of irregularities, prompting some trustees to call for a pause and an independent investigation, although the motion failed in an 8–5 vote. Interim Vice President Shira Thomas indicated that the Board of Governors is investigating the process, but later referred to a letter emphasizing confidentiality. Trustee Belvin Perry expressed concerns, stating, “Things that I've heard, if they're true, bring to question the credibility of this entire search process.” Despite the controversies, the search continues with four finalists scheduled for campus visits. The finalists include Rondall Allen, Gerald Hector, Marva Johnson, and Donald Palm, with the university aiming to name its next president by summer.

 

Tallahassee.com

Fifteen international students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have had their F-1 student visas revoked since March 25, according to Courtney Gilmartin, a UCF spokesperson. This action, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has raised concerns as one student was detained by law enforcement. Gilmartin commented: "The revocations are based on records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security," highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by international students amid tightening immigration policies.

 

News 13

Sun Sentinel

In a tragic incident in Nantes, France, a 15-year-old high school student was killed and three others injured during a stabbing at the Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides grammar school. According to a police spokesperson, there is "no indication of a terrorist motive." The student was subdued by teachers before police arrived on the scene. A youth is now in custody. President Emmanuel Macron said: "Through their intervention, teachers likely prevented other tragedies. Their courage demands respect." Prime Minister Francois Bayrou urged "an intensification of controls in and around schools" following the attack. He called for a response to the "endemic violence" among some youths and demanded proposals to prevent further knife attacks. Bayrou also said that secure gates at all schools was a possibility. 

 

France 24

New York Times

US News and World Report

Student-run businesses on the Treasure Coast, including coffee shops, doggy day care, and catering, provide high school students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. These programs, led by former professionals like culinary teachers Henry Burson and Jesse Strell, emphasize practical skills over theoretical knowledge. Burson stated, "I'm not just a teacher and instructor. I want to inspire students to be passionate about what they do." Students earn volunteer hour credits while profits support program expenses. The Entrepreneurship Academy at Jensen Beach High School encourages students to develop business ideas and pitch them in a Shark Tank-style format, enhancing their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Jean Eddy, president of the American Student Assistance program, noted that teaching entrepreneurship makes courses relevant and helps students identify career pathways. Overall, these initiatives aim to equip students with essential life skills and prepare them for future opportunities.

 

Florida Today

TCPalm