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The Education Gradebook

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Union County educator Mark Harrison receives a prize check after being announced as Florida 2026 Teacher of the Year at a celebration in Orlando on July 17, 2025.
Union County educator named Florida’s Teacher of the Year
A roundup of Florida education news from around the state
Florida Supreme Court: Lawsuit over UF’s COVID-era fees can proceed
Century Tower is seen from Turlington Hall at the University of Florida in Gainesville on May 6.
The ruling means former students can move forward with a potential class-action lawsuit over campus fees.
Florida reduces competency requirements for school media specialists
Some of the books that Florida pulled from school libraries in May 2023. After another recent uproar over books, the state changed requirements for media specialists.
Critics are concerned the state is looking for people to enact their agenda.
Florida updates passing scores for alternate high school graduation tests
Over 830 graduates of the Newsome High School class of 2025 attend their commencement ceremony in May in Tampa. The State Board of Education has revised some graduation testing requirements for future graduating classes.
The State Board of Education also expanded the number of test options.

Latest

  1. Tampa Bay broadcast stations face uncertain future after losing federal and state funding
    • Music
    Congress voted to cut $1.1 billion in funding to the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which supports the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and their member stations across the country, including WMNF 88.5-FM. These cuts will hit Florida stations that also lost funding from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  2. Union County educator named Florida’s Teacher of the Year
    • Education
    Union County educator Mark Harrison receives a prize check after being announced as Florida 2026 Teacher of the Year at a celebration in Orlando on July 17, 2025.
  3. Florida Supreme Court: Lawsuit over UF’s COVID-era fees can proceed
    • Education
    Century Tower is seen from Turlington Hall at the University of Florida in Gainesville on May 6.
  5. Florida reduces competency requirements for school media specialists
    • Education
    Some of the books that Florida pulled from school libraries in May 2023. After another recent uproar over books, the state changed requirements for media specialists.
  6. How does Florida have great schools and failing kids? | Column
    • Viewpoints
    The state's latest assessment shows that more than 40% of Florida's school children cannot handle grade-level work.
  7. Florida sets new rules for student testing, school security
    • Education
    The State Board of Education revamped the passing scores students must earn on the SAT and other alternative reading and math tests that they may take to meet Florida graduation requirements. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)
  8. Florida updates passing scores for alternate high school graduation tests
    • Education
    Over 830 graduates of the Newsome High School class of 2025 attend their commencement ceremony in May in Tampa. The State Board of Education has revised some graduation testing requirements for future graduating classes.
  9. Another Florida teachers union keeps recertification win streak alive
    • Education
    The Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association began a petition drive in 2023 to get the union re-certified to meet new state law requirements. It got the results of its vote this week.
  10. Faculty hope new USF president will protect academic freedom
    • Education
    A meeting seeking input in the qualities of the the next president for USF lasted a little than half an hour.
  11. Cuts keep coming to Pinellas County schools
    • Education
    Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick has warned school board members that cuts to programs and positions are coming as state and federal funds shrink for the coming year.
  12. Two Pasco-Hernando State College administrators tender resignations, board appoints new leadership
    • Education
    People walk around Pasco-Hernando State College's West Campus as trustees prepare to select an interim president on May 6, 2025 in New Port Richey.
  13. Florida education commissioner sends sharp message on parent rights
    • Education
    202506050735MCT_____PHOTO____US-NEWS-ANOTHER-DESANTIS-ALLY-TAKES-FLORIDAS-4-MI
  14. Pinellas schools had a reading problem. Here’s how they’re tackling it.
    • Education
    (Left) Alexander Main, a rising fifth grader and (right) Blake Atchley, a rising third grader, read in the library during day 3 of Camp Read Strong at Westgate Elementary School in St. Petersburg on July 9, 2025. Camp Read Strong, created by the Pinellas County School District, is a week-long day camp dedicated to building reading skills for boys in grades 3-5.
  15. Remaking Florida education to fit the DeSantis agenda
    • Education
    202506050735MCT_____PHOTO____US-NEWS-ANOTHER-DESANTIS-ALLY-TAKES-FLORIDAS-1-MI
  16. USF researchers develop AI that detects PTSD in children’s facial expressions
    • Health
    A team of researchers at the University of South Florida have combined their expertise in childhood trauma and artificial intelligence to create an objective, cost-effective tool that helps identify PTSD through facial expressions. Pictured is the Marshall Student Center on the Tampa campus in 2024.
  17. She lost her Hillsborough school board bid. Now she’s on the State Board.
    • Education
    Layla Collins, the wife of state Sen. Jay Collins, was appointed to the State Board of Education.
  18. Florida approves $4 million for new college accreditation body
    • Education
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at Florida International University in February. The Florida Board of Governors has approved DeSantis' plan to create a new accrediting body for the state's universities.
  19. Florida poised to change the game in university oversight
    • Education
    The Florida Board of Governors, shown at a 2023 meeting, is set to create a new university accrediting agency that six systems intend to join.
  20. Pasco schools have a new AI program. It may help personalize lessons.
    • Education
    Business and entrepreneurship students Charlotte Smith, Leslie Hernandes and Leah Vazquez collaborate with Dayspring Academy Early College teacher Jamie Hickey while using BaxterBot, an AI model designed for teachers and students, for a project in January. The Pasco County school district is planning to use the same AI system in a new initiative during the 2025-26 academic year.
  21. Hillsborough schools announce budget hearing as questions linger
    • Education
    Children board a school bus last November in Tampa.
  22. Florida schools still wait for direction on Trump’s grant freeze
    • Education
    Crestwood Elementary School third-grade students participate in an English lesson as part of the Dual Language Program in 2023. Florida school officials are seeking guidance on whether programs like this will get federal funding, which the Trump administration froze at the beginning of July.
  23. Tampa’s Jefferson High auditorium renamed for Gwen Henderson
    • Education
    A memorial is displayed during the funeral services for Gwendolyn Henderson, the Tampa City Council member who died in June at 60, at Alan Temple Church in Tampa on June 17.
  24. Florida schools rely on data behind state grades to make improvements
    • Education
    Florida schools continue to dig into the data behind their state grades to determine where they need to make adjustments in staff and curriculum.
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