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At the ASBO International conference, school finance leaders expressed deep concern over future federal funding, with over 75% expecting cuts. Key programs like Title I, IDEA, and school lunch reimbursements are seen as vital, but the Trump administration has proposed slashing or eliminating Titles II, III, and McKinney-Vento. Some districts, like Parkrose in Oregon, are budgeting zero for vulnerable programs due to uncertainty. “It’s too risky for a district to budget something and then not get it,” said Parkrose’s Sharie Lewis. Cuts could mean staff layoffs and canceled academic initiatives, forcing districts to rethink how they allocate limited funds.

 

Education Week News

More Than Speed: Why Math Fluency Matters

Strengthening math fluency in K-8 students is vital because it allows them to solve problems accurately and efficiently. When students become fluent with basic facts and procedures, they free up their cognitive resources to tackle higher-level thinking and complex problem-solving. Without fluency, students may struggle with multi-digit problems, fractions, and decimals, as these difficulties can compound over time.

An effective approach to math fluency involves more than just rote memorization; it requires understanding of number relationships, flexibility, and the ability to choose an efficient strategy. This foundation strengthens number sense and prepares students for future academic success. By cultivating this skill, educators help students build confidence and reduce the math anxiety that can hinder their learning journey.  

Hear from Dr. Jenny Bay-Williams on Rethinking Fluency Now!

 

Florida's School Choice scholarship program has created a $47m budget deficit for the Department of Education, leading to complaints from public and private schools about payment issues. Adam Emerson, director of the Department of Education Office of School Choice, noted that the department struggles to manage payments effectively as students frequently switch between public and private schools. During the 2024-2025 school year, over 23,000 students were enrolled in both types of schools, complicating funding. Keva Hampton, head of Inner City Christian School, emphasized the need for "budget integrity," stating that delays in payments harm schools and students. Lawmakers are now considering solutions to improve the situation ahead of the legislative session starting January 13.

 

The Bradenton Times

Nearly three months after Florida schools enforced a statewide cell phone ban during school hours, local districts report positive outcomes. At North Fort Myers High School, administrators confiscated 351 phones in the first month, with repeat offenses dropping from 40 to 23. "Everyone's focused, everyone's attentive," said Justin Stevens, a junior. Teachers have noted increased engagement and improved performance, with math teacher Tara Basile remarking: "It was just a distraction." While some students and parents express concerns about safety and communication, the overall sentiment among educators is that the ban has led to quieter classrooms and enhanced learning experiences.

 

WINK News

The Florida Legislature is set to vote on a bill that would allow the Duval County School Board to hire its own attorney, a move aimed at attracting legal talent by offering enrollment in the Florida Retirement System. State Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, described the compromise as a "happy medium" amid concerns that changes to the city charter should be decided by voters. The amended proposal still requires the School Board to adhere to binding legal opinions from the city's Office of General Counsel. State Rep. Dean Black emphasized the need for the city to compete for top legal counsel, claiming: "We're a major city and we need to be able to compete because our kids deserve the very best." However, some lawmakers, including State Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, opposed the bill, arguing that such changes should be decided through a referendum.

 

The Florida Times-Union

A recent change in legislation, Senate Bill 2510, allows new charter schools to co-locate with existing public schools in Orange County. Alicia Farrant, OCPS District 3 board member, expressed concerns about the financial impact: "What we’re seeing right now is the impact could be really substantial financially." The KIPP Network plans to establish a K–12 campus under the "Schools of Hope" initiative, targeting students from five underperforming public schools. District 6 board member Stephanie Vanos highlighted the potential risks, noting: "It sounds like a great thing, doesn’t it? We love schools, and we love hope. But the expansion is yet another attempt to privatize education using public tax dollars." Meanwhile, Lift Orlando is considering converting Orange Center Elementary into a charter school.

 

News 13

During recent negotiations, teachers from Leon County Schools emphasized the need for clearer contract language and guaranteed future raises amid funding challenges. The district's Human Resources Director, Brett Shively, reiterated the budget constraints, commenting: "If we had the money, we would be giving the money as raises." Union representatives, including Scott Mazur, president of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, argued that funding priorities are at play, noting: "There doesn't seem to be any hesitation to spend money." The negotiations have reset due to the failure to ratify the last contract, leaving many teachers feeling stuck in a cycle of unproductive discussions.

 

Tallahassee News

Hillsborough County is considering a significant change in its educational leadership by potentially electing its school superintendent, a move that would make it the largest district in the U.S. to do so. Republican Rep. Michael Owen proposed this shift, saying: “I believe Hillsborough County should mirror the majority of the counties in the state of Florida and allow the parents to pick the CEO of their kid's education.” This proposal has faced criticism from Democrats and education advocates who argue it could inject partisan politics into schools. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell highlighted concerns about accountability, noting that the current system allows the superintendent to be more responsive to the school board than to voters. The legislative delegation will reconvene before the January session to vote on the proposal, which could reshape the governance of education in the county.

 

Florida Phoenix

In a webinar marking National Principals Month, K–12 leaders discussed major education challenges, including student mental health and AI integration. Schools like Argyle Middle in Maryland and Avondale Elementary in Ohio use Title II federal funds to train staff in restorative and trauma-informed practices. “What we do with our staff makes the biggest difference,” said Argyle Principal James Ulrich. However, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget threatens to cut these grants, raising concerns. AI use in schools also featured prominently, with leaders urging critical-thinking-based instruction rather than banning the tech outright. Cellphone policy was deemed a local, not federal, issue.

 

Education Week News

The outage earlier this week at Amazon Web Services (AWS) caused significant disruptions in schools across the country, affecting various educational technologies. The incident impacted learning management systems, student information databases, and safety software, forcing educators to adapt quickly. Eva Rodriguez, chief information technology officer for San Antonio ISD in Texas, emphasized the need for schools to prepare for such disruptions, noting: "We rely so heavily on technology." To mitigate future risks, districts are encouraged to develop continuity plans and train staff on alternative instructional methods when technology fails.

 

Education Week News

Brevard Public Schools (BPS) received two prestigious awards at the 2025 Crimeline Annual Awards & Recognition Meeting for its commitment to student safety and anonymous reporting. The district was honored with the Outstanding Program Support Award from the SpeakOut Hotline program, which provides students a secure way to report concerns like bullying and mental health issues.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

During National School Bus Safety Week, districts have been emphasizing the importance of safe driving around school buses. Randy Wheeler, Osceola County schools transportation director, reported that 26,000 students rely on the bus system. He expressed concern over a survey revealing 500 instances of drivers illegally passing stopped buses in one day. “When we make a stop at a bus stop, that’s all highly regulated... but unfortunately, there’s one element of our operation that we have no control over, and that’s other motorists,” Wheeler said. To enhance safety, the district has collaborated with local law enforcement, resulting in over 60 citations for illegal bus passings since October 6. Deputy First Class Saul Medina noted that their aggressive driving unit has shifted to daytime hours to address these violations effectively.

 

News 13

The approval of Treasure Coast Detox, a 29-bed facility located 1,500 feet from North County Elementary School, has raised significant concerns among educators and parents. Indian River County School Superintendent David Moore expressed worries about safety and the potential impact on student enrollment, stating: "I don't think that having a detox center next to a school is something that is easy to market." Despite these objections, the County Commission unanimously approved the facility, citing its necessity as the only one of its kind in the area.

 

TCPalm

Florida Tech is undergoing significant changes to accommodate its growing student body, which has increased by over 27% since 2019, reaching more than 10,000 students. President John Nicklow emphasized the need for more housing, stating, "With that kind of growth, we need more housing." The new $96.1m Crimson Crossing residence hall, set to open in August, will add 556 beds and is the first step in a broader master plan that includes a pedestrian bridge and a new welcome center. The university is also collaborating with the Florida University Space Research Consortium to enhance research opportunities. Nicklow noted the importance of a cohesive campus vision, saying, "If we have an ultimate vision in mind, then we stepwise that and we go on a phased approach."

 

Florida Today

Florida Today

Florida Today

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday that the province's government will table back-to-work legislation on Monday that seeks to end the teachers’ strike that began on October 6. “We know that this strike is causing harm to kids. We know it’s causing harm to teachers, since there isn’t a strike fund, and we want to be able to end it for the sake of both frontline teachers as well as students and their families,” she said at a news conference. The government has served formal notice of the introduction of Bill 2, the Back to School Act; an order paper outlines potential options for the government to accelerate the legislative process, including a one-hour time limit at each reading as well as the addition of evening sittings. “All I  can say is we’ll look to expedite the process. But as for an actual date the bill could potentially be passed, you’ll have to wait," said Finance Minister Nate Horner. In response, the Alberta Teachers' Association said: “We remain prepared to negotiate solutions that include a student-teacher ratio. Now it’s the government’s turn to take up the challenge of solving these serious issues in co-operation with teachers who want to support their students as best as they can." 

 

Edmonton Journal

Global News

CBC News

CTV News