Around the state: Thirteen Florida school districts are among the top 100 nationally that stand to lose the most money if the Trump administration's freeze on a federal grants program isn't reversed, a Bay County elementary school made a stunning improvement from an F grade to a B this year, Osceola County's $400,000 share of a settlement with an e-cigarette company over its marketing to students will be used for prevention, and a teacher apprenticeship program has been started for paraprofessionals in Polk County schools. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade, Broward: Miami-Dade and Broward school districts both earned a grade of A from the state this week. For Miami-Dade, it was the sixth straight A, and Broward has done it in back-to-back years. While experts said the improvements are impressive, they also note that students generally do well on a new test and that the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking tests results that are used to determine grades are assessed on an arbitrary curve. Miami Herald.
Hillsborough: A science teacher at Armwood High School in Mango was arrested this week and accused of showing students videos with sexual content. Deputies said Anthony Jenkins, 38, showed four students videos of himself engaging in sexual activity. A district spokesperson said Jenkins was removed from the classroom when the investigation began in April and is no longer an employee. Tampa Bay Times. WFLA. WTSP. WTVT. WFTS.
Palm Beach: A longtime school board member has announced she's running for the District 2 seat on the county commission next year. Erica Whitfield, who has represented the school board's District 4 since 2014, is the second Democrat in the race. She joins state Rep. Joe Casello in a bid to replace Greg Weiss, who is a candidate for the West Palm Beach mayor's job. Florida Politics.
Polk: The school district is partnering with Polk State College to create a teacher apprenticeship program. Seven district paraprofessionals who complete the program will earn a teaching certificate and are guaranteed a job with the school district. A grant from the Florida Department of Education will cover the costs. Polk County School District.
Osceola: The county is receiving $400,000 as its share of the state's $79 million settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. over its marketing of flavored vape products to students. County commissioners said the money will be used for preventing vaping with "school-based education, cessation support, community outreach and vape detectors in schools." Spectrum News 13. Osceola's school district received its seventh consecutive B grade from the state, but was just 2 percentage points away from earning an A. WKMG. Osceola News-Gazette.
Manatee: Manatee is another district just 2 percentage points from being awarded an A grade from the state. The 744 points accumulated is the most the district has ever scored. It's received a B in each of the past seven years. Eighty-eight percent of its schools were awarded A or B grades, up from 65% last year. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Bay: The district received a B grade from the state for the ninth consecutive year, but the dramatic turnaround of the Oscar Patterson Academy, which improved from an F last year to a B, was the big story of the week. "The administrators made the proper adjustments so Oscar Patterson could succeed," said principal Charlotte Blue. The other district school in the state's turnaround program, Cedar Grove Elementary, also climbed out by earning a C after getting an F, C and C the previous three years. Panama City News Herald. WMBB. Seventeen school district construction projects are underway this summer. Panama City News Herald.
Citrus: District officials were thrilled to improve the district school grade from the state from a C last year to a B, but vowed to keep working toward earning an A for the first time since 2015. "Listen, we’re an A district," said school board member Doug Dodd. "We need to get to be an A district …. We were, so many years prior to COVID, and it’s just a great goal for us to have." Citrus County Chronicle.
Flagler: The District 1 seat on the school board could soon be vacant. A Senate committee hearing is scheduled next Wednesday on the nomination of Derek Barrs, who was appointed to the school board by Gov. Ron DeSantis last October, to be the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If Barrs is confirmed, DeSantis will appoint a replacement to finish the final 16 months of Barr's term. Flagler Live.
Calhoun, Liberty: Both the Calhoun and neighboring Liberty school districts received grades of A from the state, the second straight for Calhoun and sixth in a row for Liberty. Calhoun Superintendent Darryl Taylor said strong schools are crucial to small communities because they "are part of the community’s identity." WJHG.
Colleges and universities: About 7.7 million student loans in the federal SAVE program that have been put on pause for the past year will begin to accrue interest Aug. 1, according to plans drafted by the U.S. Education Department. Interest won't be assessed retroactively, officials said. Politico. Florida Phoenix.
Frozen Florida funds: Florida has 13 school districts in the top 100 across the United States that will lose the most money if the Trump administration continues with its freeze of more than $6 billion in grants for before- and after-school programs, teacher training, migrant education, English learners, and student support and enrichment programs. Miami-Dade's district is at risk of losing $37.7 million, Broward $20.5 million, Hillsborough $14.4 million, Orange $12 million, Duval and Lee about $7.9 million each, Osceola $6.6 million, Pinellas $5.8 million, Brevard $4.2 million, Pasco and St. Lucie about $4.1 million each, Volusia $3.9 million, and Polk $3.7 million. Education Week. Forbes. New America.
Around the nation: About 68% of U.S. K-2 students are on track to read, according to an end-of-year analysis by Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills. In mid-year, just 56% were judged to be reading-ready. Each group of students has shown annual improvement since 2021. K-12 Dive.
Opinions on schools: A new Florida law makes it easier for the number of Schools of Hope to grow by eliminating the traditional barriers for charter operators. This intentional expansion strategy opens the free market and provides options for the most vulnerable. This is what education freedom means, and what students deserve. Kelly Garcia, Palm Beach Post.
