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Florida
5th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida blocks undocumented students from CTE

Florida is implementing new rules to restrict undocumented students from enrolling in postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs. The Florida Department of Education is developing requirements that will limit CTE access to citizens and those lawfully present in the U.S. The move follows earlier measures that barred undocumented students from attending public colleges and adult education programs. Students must now provide “clear and convincing documentation” of their legal status before admission. The proposed changes will be discussed in a workshop on August 18. According to the Department of Education, there were 512,000 postsecondary CTE students in the 2025-2026 school year, with over 137,000 credentials awarded annually. Republican lawmakers have previously attempted to restrict undocumented immigrants' access to higher education, but these efforts have not succeeded in passing legislation.

STATE NEWS

Florida's education board tackles AI tools

The Florida Board of Education is set to discuss a new rule regulating AI tools in K-12 classrooms, which could significantly impact students and the workforce. The rule aims to protect student data, ensure U.S.-based data storage, and maintain teacher authority over instructional decisions. However, it also requires parents to opt in for AI tool usage and mandates schools to provide non-AI alternatives, which may not be feasible for many adaptive learning tools. David Clark, owner and chief executive of Allegiant Strategies Group, emphasized the importance of getting the rules right, stating: "We owe it to our kids to get this right." The proposed rule could hinder accessibility for students with learning differences, and its broad definition of "AI system" may impose additional burdens on already stretched teachers. A shift to an opt-out system and clearer definitions could help balance privacy and innovation in education.

Drones take flight for school safety

Florida has become the first state to implement a school safety program utilizing drones as a defense mechanism against active shooters. Specialized drones are being installed in high schools across Leon, Volusia, and Broward counties, coinciding with the return of thousands of students. Taylor Worthington of Campus Guardian Angel explained: "On this campus, we have 40 drones distributed throughout a few buildings here." The program aims to strategically place drones in high-traffic areas, such as auditoriums and cafeterias, to prevent potential shootings before they escalate. The concept was inspired by the effectiveness of drones in combat situations, as noted by Justin Marston, founder of Campus Guardian Angel, who said: "I had the idea originally just looking at how successful these little drones were against people with guns in Ukraine." When an alert is triggered, the drones can deploy within seconds, operated remotely by expert pilots from over 1,000 miles away.

Future of college sports at stake

The Florida Board of Governors Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics convened on August 4 in Orlando to discuss the future of college sports in the state. The task force aims to create a sustainable model for institutions like Florida State University and the University of Florida, especially as schools can now pay players up to $20.5m in revenue. The Protect College Sports Act, currently under congressional review, is a key agenda item, with the task force advocating for an antitrust exemption for the NCAA to establish salary caps and eligibility regulations. Task Force Chair Ken Jones emphasized the need for "thinking outside of the box" to address financial challenges, while also pushing for better agent regulation and financial literacy for student-athletes. The meeting concluded with a motion to advance recommendations to the budget and finance committee, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues in Florida's college sports landscape.

NATIONAL NEWS

Unspent Education Department funds raise concerns over federal education programs

The U.S. Department of Education allowed more than $75 million in congressionally appropriated funding to expire unspent in fiscal 2025, far exceeding the amounts left unspent during the previous decade. The largest unobligated balances included funding for staff salaries, the Office for Civil Rights, mental health grants, education research, career and technical education, and the department's inspector general, with experts attributing the underspending to workforce reductions, slower implementation of programs, and the cancellation of previously awarded grants. Spending has continued at a slower pace during the current fiscal year, raising the prospect that additional funding could expire unused. Critics argue the approach undermines Congress's spending decisions and could reduce future appropriations for key education programs, while the department said unobligated funds are not uncommon and that it remains committed to using appropriated funds effectively to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

Summer programs priced beyond reach

Nearly 12.6m children in the United States are missing out on summer camps and other structured programs because of cost, according to a report from the Afterschool Alliance. The study found that almost half of parents who wanted to enroll their children in summer programs were unable to do so, with affordability identified as the biggest obstacle, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Children from high-income households were three times more likely to participate in summer programs than those from low-income families. The report also identified transportation, limited program availability, and a lack of spaces as barriers to participation. Parents who enrolled their children in summer programs reported high satisfaction levels, with 96% expressing positive views, while nearly 9 in 10 supported increased public funding to expand access. The Afterschool Alliance called for greater government and private investment in summer learning opportunities, citing strong demand and the potential benefits for children's academic, social, and physical development.

TEACHING

Homeschooling boom in Southwest florida

In Southwest Florida, homeschooling is on the rise, with a reported 35% increase in students from the 2019-2020 to the 2020-2021 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education. Families like the Polanco family are embracing this educational approach, allowing children to learn core subjects while also engaging in experiential learning, such as visiting Shy Wolf Sanctuary. "I like that I do not sit in a room for 7.5 hours against four walls at a school," said Enzo Polanco, 11. Parents like Christina Polanco-Bussell have observed significant growth in their children's self-esteem, stating, "To me, we should be building them up, not trying to have them conform." The Florida homeschool voucher program provides families with an education savings account averaging $8,000 annually for educational expenses.

GOVERNANCE

Candidates clash for Manatee County District 5 seat

Three candidates are competing for the District 5 seat on the Manatee County School Board in the upcoming primary election on August 18. Camden “Cam” Bedinghaus, Jonathan Mullis, and Chantal Wilford aim to replace Vice Chair Richard Tatem, who is not seeking reelection. Each candidate has shared their plans to enhance the school district, focusing on issues like reading and math improvement, communication with parents, and health concerns in schools.

Candidates clash in Volusia school race

In the upcoming Volusia County School Board District 1 election, incumbent Jamie Haynes faces challengers Brenda Beery and Jaclyn Carrell. Haynes, who has served for two terms, highlights her record of achieving two consecutive district A grades and expanding career-tech programs. However, Beery and Carrell criticize the district for low proficiency rates in English and math, advocating for more teachers and less administrative overhead. 

DISTRICTS

Back to school: Palm Beach County

Teachers in the Palm Beach County School District returned to work on August 3, with the first day of school set for August 10, welcoming over 180,000 students. Despite being the 10th-largest district in the nation, the district is grappling with a decline in enrollment, which has dropped from 184,979 to 183,965 students. The Florida Department of Education has awarded the district an 'A' grade, with a graduation rate of 93.5%, the highest in its history. However, the district's budget is facing a $51m cut due to declining enrollment, which could result in a loss of $100m in state funding. 

Ortega Elementary faces closure in 2028

The Duval County School Board is set to vote on August 4 regarding the closure of Ortega Elementary School in 2028, despite concerns about the transition of its students to Venetia Elementary. Board Vice Chair April Carney emphasized the importance of Venetia, stating: “I think the issue is Venetia and the boundary changes and who is going to be occupying that school.” The closure aligns with a 2019 facilities plan that led to a half-penny sales tax approved by voters in 2020. Critics are worried about the impact of a new 1,200-student school at Venetia, which is intended to consolidate resources and improve efficiency.

Lights, camera, summer action!

During their summer break, film students from Booker High School participated in a workshop at Ringling College of Art and Design, gaining valuable experience in sound design, dialog editing, and film mixing. The workshop, led by alum Troy Logan, allowed students to showcase their screenplays, fostering creativity and passion for filmmaking. Riley Cullather, a Booker High graduate, highlighted the program's impact on his career, saying it was "eye-opening" and essential for developing a passion for the art.  

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Experts call for schools designed around how teenagers learn

School design should better reflect the developmental needs of adolescents, with researchers arguing that learning environments play an active role in shaping academic performance, well-being, and personal development. Heidi Neumueller and Amy Frye, principal and associate principal respectively at Cunningham, contend that traditional middle and high schools, often built around rigid schedules and passive instruction, can conflict with how teenagers learn, while environments that promote belonging, autonomy, collaboration, and meaningful relationships are more likely to improve engagement and educational outcomes. Drawing on neuroscience and educational research, they argue that flexible classrooms, access to natural light and outdoor spaces, quiet areas for reflection, project-based learning environments, and opportunities for student choice can better support adolescents during a period of rapid cognitive, emotional, and social development. They also emphasize that teachers remain central to the learning experience, with school design serving as a tool to foster connection, resilience, and real-world learning rather than simply providing physical space for instruction.

TECHNOLOGY

High school students develop AI policy recommendations for K-12 education

Nearly 100 high school students from all 50 states have developed a national framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in K-12 schools, calling for policies that emphasize authentic learning, human judgment, data privacy, and student involvement rather than broad restrictions on AI. Drafted during last month's America's Youth AI Festival in Washington, D.C., the nonbinding STUDENTS FIRST Act of 2026 recommends allowing AI to support activities such as brainstorming, studying, and lesson planning, while prohibiting its use to generate original student assignments or independently make decisions on grading, discipline, or hiring. The student-authored framework also calls for greater transparency around student data collection, AI literacy instruction throughout K-12 education, ongoing staff training, and regular reviews of district AI policies with input from students, educators, and parents. Organizers said the recommendations are intended to help guide future conversations among schools and policymakers as AI becomes more widely adopted in education.

NUTRITION

Taste test reveals exciting new school lunches

Yuridya De La Cruz, a 16-year-old rising junior, participated in a taste-testing event for Broward County Public Schools' new lunch menu for the 2026-27 academic year. The menu features diverse options, including chicken lo mein, street corn, and plant-based meals, reflecting student feedback for "more vegan, vegetarian options" and "more spice," according to Elizabeth Seeley, a registered dietitian with BCPS Food and Nutrition Services. This year, 141 Broward schools will provide free lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision program, while 80 schools will charge $4 to $4.50 for lunch.  

CYBERSECURITY

K–12 districts urged to strengthen oversight of third-party software

Recent cybersecurity incidents involving Canvas and PowerSchool have highlighted the growing risks posed by third-party software vendors, prompting experts to urge K–12 districts to adopt more structured vendor risk management practices. With schools relying on thousands of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, experts recommend creating a comprehensive inventory of all software, categorizing vendors by risk based on the sensitivity of student data they handle, and focusing security resources on the highest-risk providers. The article also recommends embedding cybersecurity requirements into vendor contracts, including clear breach notification timelines, audit rights, backup and recovery obligations, and disclosure of subcontractors. Ongoing monitoring through security certifications, vendor updates, and regular reviews, combined with processes to identify unauthorized applications and incident response plans tailored to critical vendors, can help districts better protect student data while maintaining operational resilience.

TESTING

Children who join social media later achieve higher test scores, researchers find

Children who open social media accounts at ages 11 or 12 appear to perform worse in school tests than those who wait until at least age 14, according to a study of more than 5,000 Italian students. Researchers found that early users scored lower in mathematics and reading-related subjects, with the gap by age 16 equivalent to around six months of learning, even after accounting for factors such as prior academic performance, family background, and parents' education. The researchers said the findings do not prove social media causes poorer academic performance but suggested that the constant need to check smartphones and social media notifications may reduce students' concentration and engagement with schoolwork. The study found no negative impact on English-language test scores, possibly because exposure to English-language content on social media provided incidental learning opportunities. The findings add to the debate over youth social media use as governments consider tighter restrictions, although the researchers argued that making platforms less addictive should accompany any age-based limits. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Gates targets postsecondary progress

The Gates Foundation has unveiled a new U.S. education strategy aimed at helping 10m more Americans aged 18 to 34 earn a postsecondary credential by 2045, focusing on four key transition points where students are most likely to fall behind: middle school math, the move from high school to college, introductory college courses, and college credit transfers. The strategy combines investments in education systems with AI-enabled instructional tools, personalized advising, redesigned first-year college courses, and improved credit transfer infrastructure. By 2030, the foundation aims to increase first-generation college enrollment by five percentage points, achieve pass rates of around 80% in foundation-supported introductory college courses, reduce outcome gaps for Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income students by half, and raise successful college credit transfers from 32% to approximately 40%. The foundation said its AI investments will focus on supporting educators rather than replacing them, emphasizing evidence-based tools, student data protection, and teacher-led instruction.

INTERNATIONAL

China expands AI-powered learning to transform schools nationwide

China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence across its education system as part of a broader effort to improve teaching quality and deliver more personalized learning for its more than 220m students. Under the country's 2026-30 Five-Year Plan and the Ministry of Education's "AI Plus Education" initiative, AI is being deployed in classrooms to analyze student performance, generate tailored assignments, assist with lesson planning, and support teachers with grading and curriculum development. Schools across China are already using AI in a range of ways, from creating individualized learning pathways to introducing AI literacy classes and helping teachers develop real-world case studies. While educators say the technology is improving efficiency and enabling more personalized instruction, they stress that AI remains a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers, who continue to play a critical role in providing guidance, critical thinking, and ethical oversight as digital learning becomes more widespread. 
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