Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates, first in nation to do so

Florida is set to push for an end to all state vaccine mandates, state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced at a news conference Wednesday. For decades, the state has required numerous vaccines for kids attending school, a list that today includes shots that protect against measles-mumps-rubella, polio, chickenpox and hepatitis B. But Ladapo on Wednesday compared these mandates to “slavery,” and promised that they all will soon end. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the AP, and Education Week.

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» School leaders react to Florida plan to axe vaccine mandates: ‘That’s so crazy’

These colleges are welcoming pets in dorms to reduce students’ stress and anxiety

Crossing paths with dogs, cats and other animals is part of campus life for students at Eckerd College, a liberal arts school in Florida that allows pets to live in dormitories. Some colleges and universities around the country welcome pets in campus residences, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Stephens College in Missouri. For students, the companionship can help reduce stress, anxiety and homesickness. The colleges also see benefits for student engagement and helping them build connections with one another. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Study: Effective principals equal to adding 3 months of learning annually

A new report by a Florida taxpayers group focuses on the importance of school principals and the factors that contribute to strong leadership. “Having an effective principal has the same impact as a student having an additional three months of learning per year,” says the report by Florida TaxWatch. “Effective principals can transform mediocre schools into exceptional schools with high student achievement levels, and these principals continue to gain the attention of lawmakers and policymakers.” [Source: The Center Square]

Florida Virtual sees AI connections in algebra

As schools across Florida grapple with how to use artificial intelligence, Florida Virtual School says it’s finding success. The online school joined the University of Florida and the Concord Consortium, an education research group, to launch a pilot course called AI in Math this summer. The goal was to introduce middle and high school students to AI concepts through interactive lessons. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida schools will test armed drones this fall to thwart shooters

Schools in three districts in Florida will be testing the use of drones armed with nonlethal weapons to respond more forcefully to active shooter incidents. Lawmakers in the state approved $557,000 in the 2025-2026 state budget to pay for the demonstrations using drones operated by Texas-based company Campus Guardian Angel. The Florida Department of Education will select the districts.[Source: K-12 Dive]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Poly professor to study brain data to reimagine engineering education [Florida Politics]
A professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland has received a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct innovative research that could redefine the way educators teach engineering design. The grant, landed by Assistant Professor Elisabeth Kames, will enable her to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will use neurocognitive tools, such as electroencephalography (EEG), and traditional self-assessment tools to learn more about student problem-solving and learning behavior.

› Who’s really in charge at Florida Memorial University? Judge to decide [Miami Herald]
A judge could decide as early as Monday if Florida Memorial University’s recently announced president William McCormick was legitimately appointed, or if he was named illegally by a “rogue” faction in the board of trustees. In a hearing early Friday morning, Judge Javier Enriquez ordered the opposing sides to submit proposals addressing the legal standards so he could make a decision this week. His order comes a week after the university became embroiled in a controversy between two warring factions in the school’s board of trustees over the legality of the appointment of McCormick as president.

› Flagler Education Foundation secures $136,000 in community grants benefiting Flagler Schools [The Observer]
Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo announced four community grants totaling $136,000 secured by the foundation for Flagler Schools initiatives. "We've had a busy and successful grant season. These grant reflect not only strong partnerships but also full confidence this community has in the work that is happening here in our classrooms," Rizzo said.

› Pinellas school district, teachers at odds over raises [Tampa Bay Times]
The Pinellas County school district has proposed giving its teachers a raise of 0.7% this year. That’s the amount the Legislature set aside as the district’s share of the $100 million in state-provided salary increases that Gov. Ron DeSantis has touted in several public appearances. DeSantis and education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas have urged districts to speed this money to teachers even if it means circumventing collective bargaining. The Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association countered with a request for 3.5% raises.

High school student behind many Little Free Libraries in South Florida