Florida lawmakers 'frustrated' with problems tracking student voucher funding
Florida House members on both sides of the aisle criticized the organizations in charge of managing state private school vouchers, questioning why they were still having issues dispersing funds accurately. Public schools are just now receiving back pay for budget shortfalls they experienced due to the mobility to and from public and private schools, and lawmakers say they're receiving calls from parents frustrated about late reimbursements. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
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» Florida releases nearly $60M to cover missing, frozen voucher funds
Effects of federal shutdown increasingly felt at Florida schools
As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, its effects are becoming more pronounced on schools and students. Officials at Florida State and Florida A&M universities, for instance, said their research operations and student aid have been significantly disrupted. Both schools are expanding on-campus food pantries for their low income students. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
At this Florida microschool, it’s math at the beach and swimming with the sharks
Every year, millions of students across America learn the foundational concept of place value in math. But it’s a safe bet few of them learn it at the beach. At the first microschool in the Florida Keys, that’s exactly what a handful of kindergartners and first graders were doing with their teacher last week. Standing in the shade of buttonwoods on the edge of the Atlantic, they used mahogany seed pods, mangrove propagules, and sea grape leaves to help their brains grasp the idea. [Source: Next Steps]
Florida teachers are spending nearly $1,000 of their own money on school supplies
Two months into the school year, Tye Haynes has already spent over $600 of his personal money on school supplies for his students at Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Overtown. “I need paper, I need ink, I need tissues, I need napkins. ... It's just a lot of little things that you consistently always need to buy all the time,” he said. “So over time, it becomes very costly.” His case is far from isolated. During the 2024-25 school year, K-12 teachers in Florida spent an average of $904 out of pocket on school supplies for their students, slightly more than the national average of $895. [Source: Miami Times]
Florida bill would require public school students to be 'proficient' in cursive writing by the end of 5th grade
If a bill submitted to the Florida House passes, public elementary school students would be required to learn cursive writing in grades two through five. House Bill 127 would go into effect on July 1, 2026, which means the requirement would start in the 2026-2027 school year. Jenifer Schneider, the interim dean for the College of Education at the University of South Florida, said studies have shown that teaching handwriting is important for students. [Source: Spectrum News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› USF just hit $750M in research funding; here’s why it matters
The University of South Florida has reached a new milestone in research funding, securing a record $750 million in fiscal year 2025. The achievement marks an $11.6 million increase over last year and a 37% jump since 2022, positioning USF among the nation’s fastest growing public research institutions. University leaders say the surge reflects USF’s expanding influence across industries vital to Florida’s future, including healthcare, artificial intelligence, environmental resilience and cybersecurity.
› Alachua County School District one step closer to starting superintendent search
The Alachua County School Board at its Nov. 4 meeting unanimously voted to conduct a search for a permanent superintendent through a request for proposal (RFP). The process, a nationwide search for a firm that will be responsible for finding candidates to present to the board, will take anywhere from six to 12 weeks. The RFP is expected to cost the district between $48,000 and $55,000.
› Pasco schools outline AI rules before unlocking program for students
Saying artificial intelligence is becoming inescapable, Pasco County school district officials on Tuesday unveiled guidelines aimed at directing how students and teachers use it in coursework. “Students I have talked to I think said it best,” superintendent John Legg said. “They articulate, ‘We would play by the rules if someone gave us the rules.’” As the district prepares to unlock Microsoft Copilot for high schools in December, it wants to make sure it provides that direction.
› A taste of Japan. Florida Tech's international dining series returns
Florida Tech is serving up innovative and mouthwatering Japanese cuisine at its next event in the award-winning Global Kitchen series. Launched in 2014, the series celebrates international diversity through food and culture. The upcoming event, “A Trip to Japan,” is open to the public.