Florida

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Florida
A new billboard welcoming visitors to "Florida: The Sunshine 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' State" is seen on April 21, 2022, in Orlando, Fla., part of an advertising campaign launched by the Human Rights Campaign. Florida’s so-called “Don't Say Gay" law has prohibited discussion of various LGBTQ issues in many of the state’s classrooms.
A billboard in Orlando, Fla., that's part of an advertising campaign launched by the Human Rights Campaign welcomes visitors to "Florida: The 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' State." As the nation's largest teachers' union prepares to host its annual assembly in Florida, it's receiving pushback from some members about the conference's location.
John Raoux/AP
Teaching Profession Solidarity or a Safety Risk? Tensions Flare as the NEA Prepares to Convene in Florida
As the nation's largest teachers' union prepares to convene in Florida, some members are objecting to the annual gathering's location.
Madeline Will, June 28, 2023
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7 min read
Illustration of woman and steps made of cash.
Getty
Teaching Profession Teachers in 6 States Will Get Raises. More Could Join Them
Lawmakers in 23 states proposed bills to raise teacher salaries, but not all of the policies are straightforward pay bumps.
Libby Stanford, June 22, 2023
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5 min read
A copy of the book "And Tango Makes Three" is seen on a bookstore shelf on Nov. 16, 2006 in Chicago. The illustrated children's book is based on a true story of two male penguins in New York City's Central Park Zoo who adopted a fertilized egg and raised the chick as their own.
The book "And Tango Makes Three" is seen on a bookstore shelf on Nov. 16, 2006, in Chicago. The illustrated children's book is based on a true story of two male penguins in New York City's Central Park Zoo who adopted a fertilized egg and raised the chick as their own. The authors of the book and some students are suing a Florida district and the state board over the book's removal.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
Law & Courts Authors and Students Sue Florida Education Officials to Restore Access to Banned Book
The plaintiffs are suing to get access to the book restored.
Eesha Pendharkar, June 21, 2023
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4 min read
A parent and child looking at 2 different schools
DigitalVision/Getty
School Choice & Charters 6 More States Will Soon Let Almost All Students Attend Private School With Public Money
So far this year, 14 states passed laws and lawmakers in 42 states introduced bills to expand private school choice.
Libby Stanford, June 15, 2023
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7 min read
Abstract blurred photo of textbooks in a bookstore or in a library.
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Curriculum College Board Says It Won't Edit AP Courses, Despite Pressure From States
The nonprofit has previously said if required topics are censored in AP courses, students could lose credit.
Ileana Najarro, June 15, 2023
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3 min read
Protesters cheer outside Senate chambers at the Indiana Statehouse on March 22, 2023, in Indianapolis. Indiana schools may soon be required to notify parents if their child requests a name or pronoun change at school, after state Senators on April 10, 2023, advanced a bill that some worry could out transgender kids to their parents.
Protesters cheer at the Indiana Statehouse on March 22, 2023, in Indianapolis. Indiana schools may soon be required to notify parents if their child requests a name or pronoun change at school, after state lawmakers advanced a bill that some advocates worry could out transgender kids to their parents.
Arleigh Rodgers/AP
Equity & Diversity Pronouns for Trans, Nonbinary Students: The States With Laws That Restrict Them in Schools
Under the laws, teachers aren’t required to use trans or nonbinary students’ requested pronouns.
Eesha Pendharkar, June 14, 2023
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7 min read
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Students, activists and educators gather to listen to Shavon Arline-Bradley, the president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women speak during the Freedom to Learn rally. Demonstrators gathered in front of the College Board Headquarters in Washington D.C. to protest the College Board’s decision to alter their African American Studies curriculum, as well as to protest book bans and other divisive actions being taken in regard to education, during the Freedom to Learn rally on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Social Studies Q&A Amid Public School Restrictions, 'Freedom Schools' in Florida Will Teach Black History
In St. Petersburg, Fla., a summer program focuses on the diverse histories of Africans and African Americans.
Ileana Najarro, June 5, 2023
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5 min read
HurricaneStudents Still final BS
Student Well-Being Video Left Homeless After a Hurricane, This Family Found Support From Their District
With the number of homeless students rising, a look at how this Florida district is providing support.
Lauren Santucci, June 1, 2023
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8:23
Images of math equations.
iStock/Getty
Mathematics AP Precalculus: What Schools Need to Know About the New Course
The new course from the College Board is meant to replace all pre-existing precalculus courses.
Ileana Najarro, May 31, 2023
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5 min read
A crowd gathers at the outside of the Indiana House chamber as the House Education Committee discuss House Bill 1608 at the Statehouse on Feb. 20, 2023, in Indianapolis.
A crowd gathers at the outside of the Indiana House chamber on Feb. 20, 2023, as the House Education Committee discussed the legislation that became a state law that requires teachers to inform parents if their children identify as transgender. Indiana is one of at least nine states that have passed laws targeting transgender students' pronouns.
Darron Cummings/AP
Equity & Diversity Laws on Trans, Nonbinary Student Pronouns Put Teachers in a Bind
Under laws passed in nine states, teachers don't have to use students’ pronouns and names if they don’t align with their assigned sex.
Eesha Pendharkar & Libby Stanford, May 30, 2023
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8 min read
Image of the word history behind torn paper.
Canva
Social Studies Florida Is Latest State to Require Teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander History
Advocacy groups and individuals question how AAPI history will be taught in Florida schools given the state's current political environment.
Ileana Najarro, May 26, 2023
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5 min read
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during convocation at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., on April 14, 2023.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during convocation at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., on April 14, 2023.
Paige Dingler/The News & Advance via AP
Federal Ron DeSantis Is Running for President. What Will That Mean for K-12 Schools?
DeSantis has solidified himself as a force on school policy. His campaign will likely influence the role education plays in the election.
Libby Stanford, May 24, 2023
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6 min read
Image of a textbook and a magnifying glass.
<a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/search/photographer?photographer=Bet_Noire">Bet_Noire</a>/iStock/Getty
Social Studies Florida Rejects Social Studies Textbooks, Requests Edits for Others. What You Need to Know
Florida's education department rejected more than 30 books for social studies instruction, highlighting a new challenge for publishers.
Ileana Najarro, May 23, 2023
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9 min read
Photo of stacked school textbooks with no symbol over them.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Social Studies Florida Wanted Changes to Social Studies Books. Here's a Sample of the Revisions
Textbook publishers found themselves with new, confusing specifications to follow in Florida.
Ileana Najarro & Gina Tomko, May 23, 2023
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1 min read
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