Florida's labor market adds education jobs. They're not in public schools
The latest labor data shows a bump in Florida's education sector. Over the past year, the state added 36,400 jobs, up 2.3%, in the education and health services industry, according to data released in May by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the growth is not in public schools. The data shows that while the state added 1,400 jobs, an increase of 1.6%, in private schools, local government education services lost 5,600 jobs, a decrease of 1.6%. "This looks like a substitution effect, it's crazy," said Ron Hetrick, the principal economist at job market analysis firm Lightcast. [Source: WUSF]
Global university rankings are out. Here’s how Florida schools did
The U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings this morning, a list that includes more than 2,500 public and private colleges and universities across the world. Although no Florida universities made the top 100, the University of Florida barely missed the mark, tying for No. 105, up four places from last year’s ranking. The University of Colorado Boulder and Norway’s University of Oslo tied with Florida’s flagship. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida’s preschool teacher shortage forces some to turn children away
Florida, like much of the country, has a shortage of preschool teachers. Preschools often operate on thin margins and cannot pay teachers much, making it hard to draw people into the profession. As a result, schools are turning families away, which interrupts children’s early learning, leaves parents without childcare and hurts schools’ bottom line, making it even harder to pay teachers more. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
New AI and drone tech aims to secure Florida schools
A new safety system called RADAR is being implemented at Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee. The system uses AI weapon detection, 3D campus mapping, and non-lethal drones to respond to active shooter threats. The Florida Department of Education is covering the $557,000 cost for the program's first year. Officials hope the technology will deter potential threats and will not need to be used. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Free books available for Florida students ahead of summer season
A free literacy program is encouraging eligible families to apply by July 12 to ensure their children get 9 free books and reading activities by the end of summer. The Florida program, New World Reading, is designed to support students who aren’t reading on grade level. New World Reading sends free books and activities to VPK through fifth grade students. [Source: WCJB]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Vote on UF’s next president stalls after questions over hiring practices
Despite getting close to locking in the next leader of Florida’s top university, the school has hit a stumbling block. The chairperson of the board that oversees Florida’s university system wants to push back a vote to confirm the University of Florida’s president-elect, citing what he called possible governance issues under UF’s board chairperson. Alan Levine, chairperson of the Board of Governors, wrote in a letter to State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues on Wednesday that he believes a vote on Stuart Bell’s confirmation, and other university matters, should be postponed.
› USF board approves Sarasota-Manatee Campus transfer to New College of Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees approved the transfer of its Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida on Wednesday with no formal objections. It greenlights a joint transfer and facility use agreement that takes effect July 1. The vote follows a state budget deal reached by Florida legislators in May that included the transfer of the USF campus to New College, located roughly a mile away.
› In Miami-Dade, Florida’s largest district, few line up to run for school board
Florida’s largest school district – Miami-Dade – has attracted scant interest from candidates for its Aug. 18 school board election, guaranteeing reelection for three of the four incumbents whose terms are up. While Florida’s other big-city school districts, including neighboring Broward County, or Tampa’s Hillsborough County, have robust fields of candidates, only one of Miami-Dade’s four incumbent school board members faces a challenger – despite the system facing headwinds like sharply declining student enrollment and a high-profile search for a new superintendent.
› Healthcare costs fuel stalemate between Orange County Public Schools and Teachers Union
Contract negotiations between Orange County Public Schools and its teachers union remain stalled as district leaders say rising healthcare costs are creating financial challenges, while educators push for better wages, benefits and transparency. The district, the fourth largest school system in Florida with thousands of teachers, says negotiations have been ongoing for months but reached an impasse in April. The issues under discussion include healthcare benefits, salaries and working conditions.