Around the state: A program is launching in Duval to address absenteeism, district officials hope to work with students on the cellphone policy in Broward and early childhood educators can advance their careers for free. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:

Miami-Dade: The school board here recently approved an initiative to review whether district-approved curriculum contains examples of antisemitism. The move comes after the state's public universities were ordered to review all college course materials for antisemitic content or "anti-Israeli bias." Axios.

Broward: Superintendent Howard Hepburn said during a press conference on Tuesday that the district wants to work with students as they get accustomed to the new cellphone policy being implemented this year. School board members adopted the new policy last month that expands on the current state statute that prohibits students from using cellphones during class instruction time — unless given permission by teachers.  The policy requires that students either turn off phones or leave them on airplane mode. “We don’t want it to end up in a suspension,” said Hepburn. Miami Herald.

Duval: The city of Jacksonville launched a new program on Wednesday called "Show Up to Shine," which addresses the absenteeism issue in Duval County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said Duval county leads the state in the percentage of students who are "habitually truant." The Florida Department of Education says Florida law defines a habitual truant as a student aged 6 to 15 who has 15 or more unexcused absences within 90 calendar days, whether or not their parent or guardian is aware. Bernier and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said the program is a call to action for the community to help combat the issue.  News4Jax. Action News Jax.

Pasco: Early childhood educators can further their careers for free. "We know that teacher salaries are a little tight and can make it difficult for teachers in return, so the early learning coalition wanted to offer that opportunity and support to our teachers," said Samantha Dominguez, the Early Education Adviser at the ELC of Pasco and Hernando counties. ABC Action News.

Collier: Teachers and staff greeted students during the first day of school at Palmetto Elementary School in Naples earlier this week. Naples Daily News.

Sarasota: Superintendent Terry Connor talked about his goals for the 2024-25 school year, which include academic achievement with a focus on literacy, safe schools and enhancing options for students. ABC Action News.

Leon: The school district here is the first to use WeatherSTEM systems to monitor weather conditions in 2019, and will now be the first to receive the latest alert system offered by the local company. The new system will be used at the district's Gene Cox Stadium to alert attendees of impending weather conditions in real time. The stadium, where the county's five public high schools play football, is the first location where the system has been installed, the company CEO said Tuesday. Superintendent Rocky Hanna said the system will serve as support in addition to the district's communications with the National Weather Service. Tallahassee Democrat.

Colleges and universities: This week, the University of Florida's student newspaper reported that former university President Ben Sasse spent millions of the school's money to hire GOP political allies.  Tampa Bay Times.

Opinions on schools: What teachers, administrators, school board members and candidates-hopeful, the superintendent, the governor and Florida education commissioner, the president and the U.S. secretary of education should do is lead, develop curriculum, and offer supportive materials (books or otherwise) that acknowledge difference in race, gender, migration, and economic class in a way that assures these characteristics are assets instead of liabilities in life as they have been (acknowledged or not) for hundreds of years. Nikesha Elise Williams, Jax Today.

Around the state: A tax referendum is moving forward in Hillsborough, metal detectors caused delays in Broward and one university official sent a letter that asks for leaders to resign. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:

Miami-Dade: A Miami-Dade Public Schools psychologist was arrested on child pornography charges, according to police. Miami Herald.

Broward: School officials apologized for the chaos on the first day of school caused by the district rolling out new metal detectors that caused delays as hundreds of high school students were standing in lines waiting to enter schools. A district spokesperson warned delays may continue this week as staff make adjustments, but said the superintendent will ensure Monday’s lines aren’t replicated. The metal detectors were rolled out at 38 schools on Monday. It was an effort that was intended to improve school safety and security after a gunman killed 17 people and injured 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Officials on Tuesday hoped to remedy the issues faced by students. “We want to definitely apologize to our public because we know this is a stressful time, it’s a new routine for students,” said Superintendent Howard Hepburn. He said larger schools will be receiving additional metal detectors. Miami Herald. Associated Press. WSVN. WLRN.

Hillsborough: On Tuesday, County Commissioners here agreed to put a schools tax referendum on the November ballot just in time for a deadline imposed by a judge and also vowed to continue the legal battle to delay putting the tax question to voters until 2026. With a shortage of more than 400 classroom teachers and neighboring counties able to pay more, the school district plans to ask voters to consider paying $1 per $1,000 in taxable property value. Attorneys in the case are keeping a close eye on the appeals court for any rulings. Tampa Bay Times.

Lee: Students in this county headed back to school with celebratory entrances. There is an estimated 102,791 students in the district, including charter schools, according to last year's official numbers."We expect enrollment to increase this year," said district spokesman Robert Spicker. The official count takes place in October. Ft. Myers News-Press.

Sarasota: A 12-year-old girl was accidentally run over by her mother during the first day of school drop-off near Booker Middle School, officials at the Florida Highway Patrol say. The child was airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg in critical condition. Counselors were available at the school for students who needed help coping with what occurred.  ABC Action News. Fox 13. USA Today. WFTV. Meanwhile, in Sarasota County, the district's full-time enrollment in public schools decreased by 334 students as a result of increased use of Family Empowerment Scholarship vouchers. School Board Chairwoman Karen Rose spoke at a recent press conference, saying "The performance and academic achievement is growing, and we couldn't be more proud of that as a School Board. We're looking forward to partnering with our community and providing the highest quality schools and service to you." Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Colleges and universities: Some colleges and students are finding ways to better respond to overdose rates among young people. A group is organizing students on 28 campuses to distribute and use Narcan. NPR. Meanwhile, USF faculty say a new state law that requires professors to undergo more frequent evaluations to earn tenure, in addition to restrictions on topics about DEI or race, are causing some to leave. "Morale has dropped significantly," said Dana Thompson Dorsey, a tenured professor in USF's College of Education. WUSF. At Florida A&M University, Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard sent a letter to members of the university leadership team that called on them to resign by the end of the day on Aug. 13. In the letter that is dated Aug. 12, Beard wrote, "after careful consideration and in consultation with the Board of Trustees, the past University President, and from my observations, I have concluded that a change in our senior leadership team is necessary to move forward more effectively." ABC Action News. Tallahassee Democrat. At Florida Southern College, the new president is Jeremy Martin, who is the 18th president of the Lakeland-based Methodist college and the first new leader in 20 years after Anne Kerr’s retirement. He oversees about 2,700 undergraduates and another 600 graduate students. Lkld Now. Raises were approved by trustees for faculty and staff at University of Florida. Main Street Daily News.

Opinions on schools:  The most robust form of accountability, the kind that produces meaningful rewards and consequences for schools, is financial and comes with an exit option. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps.  Let us savor this moment that saw 432,000 students restart sacred routines in Tampa Bay. Let us enjoy the sweetness before feuds with friends, before the whipsaw of emotions and body chemicals. Before the tests get harder, before the team rosters go up and the egos come crashing down.  Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times.

Around the state: School is back in session for most of Florida's 67 counties, with some significant changes coming to districts, a tax fight continues in Hillsborough and there's an update on adjunct professor unions. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:

Broward: Long lines were seen across several high schools in Broward as students and staff adjusted to their new normal. WSVN.

Hillsborough: A Hillsborough judge again ruled that a referendum to ask voters to consider a property tax to pay for teachers should appear on the Nov. 5 ballot after the Hillsborough County Commission voted to delay the measure for two years. Judge Emily Peacock ruled on Monday in the school district's favor, but a lawyer for the County Commission filed an emergency motion asking an appeals court to reverse Peacock's decision. Tampa Bay Times.

Palm Beach: Students here returned to school on Monday. "This is the best day of the school year. Always," said Dr. Allison Castellano, the principal of Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton. Superintendent Mike Burke said the district thinks Spanish River achieved a significant goal: A 100% graduation rate during last school year. Meanwhile, Palm Beach schools started the year on Monday with metal detectors on every high school campus after a pilot program last year. Leaders in Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties said they are exploring the option but don't have metal detectors on their campuses currently. WPTV.

Martin: The new school year here included a new athletic center at South Fork High. The athletic center at South Fork High School is a $27 million, 50,000-square-foot facility. Money for the project was provided by the half-cent sales tax referendum that passed in 2018. WFTS.

Central Florida: As schools around Central Florida re-open their doors for students and staff, one school in Seminole celebrating a milestone: Lyman High in Longwood is celebrating its 100th anniversary.  Meanwhile, public school students in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties were expected back in school on Monday, while Sumter County Public Schools return on Wednesday. Drivers are being asked to exercise caution around school buses, with some school zones utilizing speed enforcement cameras. In addition, a gun-sniffing dog named Coco also headed to school for her second year on the job in Orange county.  WFTV. WESH. Orlando Sentinel.

Tampa Bay: More than 430,000 students were expected Monday in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. There were celebrations in new buildings and struggles to keep air conditioning systems going in others. In Wesley Chapel, thousands lined up for the opening of Kirkland Ranch K-8, which is a magnet school that serves 1,200 students with a focus on entrepreneurship and Spanish language. Tampa Bay Times.

Superintendents: In Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, superintendents sat down to talk about the new school year. WEAR.

Private school vouchers soar: Ahead of the 2024-25 school year, some families are part of the growing number who are receiving taxpayer-funded scholarships to attend the private school of their choosing. Miami Herald.

Start times: Although they don't have to be implemented until 2026, some schools have already started later start times for middle and high schools. Others are still collecting feedback from parents and teachers. Start times statewide will eventually all have to be pushed back to 8:30 a.m. for high schoolers and 8 a.m. for middle schoolers. “It’s so exciting to see the smiles,” Pinellas Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said. “The first day of school. Kids get to meet their teachers and get to see their friends.” Politico.

Back-to-school jitters: A new school year can bring changes for kids and their caregivers. To ease the transition as summer closes, there's a plethora of tips being offered by child development experts and pediatricians, from goodbye rituals to handling challenging situations. NPR.

Colleges and universities: All eight unions representing adjunct professors at public institutions in the state of Florida have been decertified in accordance with a new state law, affecting more than 8,000 faculty members. The adjunct unions were all established within the past five years. The eight unions represented adjunct professors: Broward College, Hillsborough Community College, Miami Dade College, Seminole State College, St. Petersburg College, University of South Florida, Lake-Sumter State College and Valencia College.  Inside Higher Ed.

Around the state: Today is the first day of school for all public-school students in 58 of the state's 67 counties. Clay and Collier start on Tuesday, while Broward, Liberty, Monroe, Sumter and Taylor counties start on Wednesday. Miami-Dade students return on Thursday, while Madison County has a rolling start that runs today through Wednesday. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. USA Today Network. 

Student safety is a top concern for school districts across the state. This year, that includes an initiative to keep all campus doors locked at all times, in accordance with a new state law. Orlando Sentinel.

Those seeking to open small private schools say that finding an affordable, suitable location is the biggest obstacle as more cities seek to put up barriers through burdensome zoning regulations. Florida, which passed legislation this year to relax rules for schools opening in certain locations such as movie theaters, community centers, houses of worship or former charter school properties, has sought to smooth the pathway. However, operators say some cost-related challenges remain. The 74.

Childcare centers across Florida say state early learning programs do not provide enough funding to adequately pay teachers. Advocates argue per-pupil funding is too low and a funding increase approved this year by state lawmakers wasn't enough. Despite funding concerns, data show students who enroll in a state-funded early program enter kindergarten better prepared than those who do not. Orlando Sentinel.

Miami-Dade: As the number of families using the state's expanded education choice scholarships grows, some Miami-Dade school district officials fear that district school budgets will suffer. School board members have discussed ways the district can increase revenue and continue to innovate to compete with private and charter schools, including renting district-owned public school land to developers to build workforce housing. Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres mentioned the possibility of creating professional development programs where teachers outside the public school system can pay to participate. “Will [school choice] present challenges? Yes. But will it do away with traditional public schools in five or 10 years? I don’t know the answer to that now in 2024, but I foresee us rising to the challenge and doing great things in Miami-Dade County,” said school board member Monica Colucci. Miami Herald.

Lee: When Diana Lowry talks about education, she speaks from experience. She has worked for almost 30 years in public education in Lee County as a school-based administrator and teacher. Instead of retiring, Lowry took on a new full-time job as a homeschool teacher. Last school year, the state rolled out an education savings account program for parents whose kids are not enrolled in a traditional school. Figures show that last school year, homeschoolers totals in Lee County were 4,133; in Charlotte, it was 2,502; in Collier, it was 2,693. WINK.

South Florida: Broward schools will use Focus, a new portal for parents to access their student’s information, including bus routes. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be served to all students in Miami-Dade and Broward schools free of charge. Both counties will continue to enforce the statewide cellphone ban. High schoolers in Broward will also be required to go through metal detectors. Miami Herald.

As a new school year gets underway, private school owners are wary of funding delays, and hopeful that issues that snagged scholarship funding last school year have been resolved. (Step Up For Students, which publishes the roundup, helps administer the scholarships.) WSVN.

The nonprofit Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials gives out $1,000 college scholarships to 27 talented young people. Palm Beach Post.

Central Florida: With the school year beginning, some Central Florida school districts are urgently trying to fill their vacant school bus driver positions. Orange and Marion counties appear to be facing the biggest challenges. Brevard and Osceola counties have managed to fill all of their positions. Click Orlando.

Orange: Two Orange County schools that were in danger of not being able to welcome students on the first day of school because they had not secured certificates of occupancy due to construction delays will be able to open on time. Howard Middle and Luminary Middle had up to this point not received certification of occupancy, what proved to be a leering issue leading up to the start of classes looming today. The Howard Middle campus is in the middle of a $36 million renovation project while Luminary Middle is a new school built in Lake Nona. Orange County Public Schools has since said in a statement that both schools received occupancy certificates Sunday morning, allowing all 213 district schools to open on Monday as originally planned. Click Orlando.

Manatee. An appeals court Friday ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis can appoint a successor for a Manatee County School Board member who is running for a state House seat. A three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected arguments by would-be candidate James Golden that an election should be held in November for the school-board seat that will be vacated by Rich Tatem. News Service of Florida.

Broward: A mother of a student at Monarch High School was arrested Thursday after a gun fell out of her purse during the school’s “freshman invasion” event, officials say.  Christina Yvonne Wilkes, 45, of Margate, now faces charges of felony possession of a firearm on school grounds. Florida law prohibits bringing a firearm onto a school campus. The mother had accidentally brought the gun onto school grounds when she arrived late to the freshman orientation event, according to Sgt. Scotty Leamon, a spokesperson for Coconut Creek Police. He did not know Friday afternoon whether the gun was loaded, but it did not go off.  South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Hernando: Despite objections from one board member, the Hernando County School Board on July 30 voted to continue on with the i-Ready progress monitoring program. In a 3-2 vote, the board approved as much as $1,409,930 to be paid to Curriculum Associates, the company that provides i-Ready. Hernando Sun. 

Alachua: An innovative high school model with a track record of accelerating student engagement and academic outcomes in traditional public high schools will launch at Gainesville's Eastside High School this school year. The 3DE by Junior Achievement model is committed to expanding economic opportunity and mobility by re-engineering high school education. The program integrates real-world experiences with academic learning through partnerships between school districts, Junior Achievement and the broader business community. Gainesville Sun. 

After students spent two years in modular buildings on a "swing" campus, Westwood Middle School announces completion of a $29 million renovation project. Gainesville Sun.

Colleges and universities: The University of South Florida has a new dean of the College of Public Health. Tampa Bay Times.

A University of Florida materials science researcher who grew up obsessed with LEGOs is contributing to NASA's quest to send a crewed mission to Mars. Gainesville Sun.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Denise Grimsley and Alison Hancock to the South Florida State College District Board of Trustees. Office of the Governor.

Around the nation:  North Carolina parents rallied on Wednesday to urge the legislature to pass House Bill 823. The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this year, would provide $248 million nonrecurring for the upcoming school year and $215.5 million recurring to support scholarships in the 2025-26 school year. The House and the Senate adjourned without passing a budget for this year. The two chambers have not been able to agree about investments in both the expansion of voucher and public schools. About 55,000 students are on a waitlist to receive Opportunity Scholarships, North Carolina’s private school choice scholarship program.

“Parents watched in utter frustration on July 4 when legislature left town without solving this problem. So parents woke up and said, 'We are not going to take this lying down,’” Rachel Bray, an organizer of the rally, said. Ednc.org.

Thirteen popular books have been banned from all public schools in Utah in the first wave of bans expected under a new law that prohibits books when at least three of the state’s 41 school district boards claim they contain pornographic material. The state education board released its first list of banned books this month, which includes a popular young adult novel series by author Sarah J. Maas called “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and books by Judy Blume and Margaret Atwood. Associated Press.

Around the state: Homeschooling is exploding across the state and bursting into the mainstream, with the number of Florida homeschoolers tripling over the past two decades. One longtime homeschool mom describes how the landscape shifted in that timeframe: “The options out there are endless,” she said. “It went from nothing to overwhelming.” Families describe diverse motivations, but one common theme: They want their children to learn in a safe environment aligned with their values. Tampa Bay Times.

The state's back to school sales tax holiday wraps up this weekend. Florida Times-Union.

Hillsborough: The legal feud over a teacher pay tax referendum between the Hillsborough County Commission and Hillsborough County School Board is continuing to an appeal. Both government entities had been battling over when to schedule a vote on a property tax increase that school officials say would help them offer more competitive teacher salaries. Last Friday, a judge ruled the commission could not delay the referendum to the 2026 ballot. The commission voted 4-3 to appeal the court order. Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who put forward the original motion to delay the referendum, took issue with the judge’s order. “She has essentially told seven elected officials how to vote,” Wostal said. “Although I’m not a lawyer, I have read the constitution, and this instinctively seems to clearly violate the separation of powers doctrine.” The order itself said the county commission didn't have discretion over when to schedule the vote. WFLA. WTSP.

Escambia: A former Escambia County Sheriff's deputy terminated over child abuse allegations is accused of beating and choking one child and failing to provide proper education and dental care to multiple children in his household. The ECSO promptly fired Christopher Turney, 40, from his position as a sheriff's deputy following his arrest Saturday for one count of child abuse, two counts of child neglect and two counts of failing to require school attendance, according to the Office of the State Attorney. The report also says the child has not received any formal education since entering the household in 2017. Another child in the home told law enforcement investigators on July 30 that they are homeschooled and work on school assignments approximately one to two hours per day. Both children and Christopher Turney say Leandra Turney, 39, is responsible for overseeing their homeschooling, but they said she's frequently out of town on business. One child said she is not sure which grade level she's in. According to jail records, Leandra Turney is also charged with failing to require school attendance and child neglect. She was released Sunday on bond. Pensacola News Journal.

Sarasota: School breakfasts and lunches are going to cost more this year in Sarasota County. The increase accounts for rising supply-chain costs and accommodates losses of federal COVID-19 funding. The district anticipates $770,000 in additional revenues from the increase, according to district figures. Breakfast prices will rise from $1.50 in elementary schools and $2 in middle and high schools to $2.25 across all grade levels. Lunch prices will increase from $2.75 in elementary schools, $3 in middle school and $3.25 in high school to $3.25 in elementary school and $3.75 in middle and high schools. Herald-Tribune.

Alachua: The Alachua County School Board finalized its code of conduct at the board meeting on Tuesday. MainStDailyNews.

Hernando:  A teacher at Deltona Elementary School has been arrested on charges he communicated with a 14-year-old student on a dating app. According to a sheriff's report, the student told authorities that Michael Ronald Iannaccone, 47, had communicated about sex acts he liked and would teach the student. Using the student's account, deputies took over online conversations with Iannaccone, where he discussed various sex acts. According to deputies, some of these conversations happened while Iannaccone was working at the elementary school.  Iannaccone is charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equipment and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Hernando Sun.

Palm Beach area: Two superintendents talk about how they plan to lean into AI. In Okeechobee County, Superintendent Dylan Tedders said they’re launching a career and technical program focused on AI. The School District of Palm Beach County is expanding its use of ai-powered Khanmigo tutors created by Khan Academy. “We’re rolling out Khanmigo in a big way to all our middle and high schools,” Superintendent Michael Burke said. WPTV.

Martin: When students head back to school next week at South Fork High School in Martin County, they’re going to see new places to thrive both academically and athletically. At the end of Bulldog Way, finishing touches are being made to a new athletic facility. WPTV.

Orange: With only days before the new school year, two schools in Orange County may not be ready for the first day of classes on Monday. Orange County Public Schools is reviewing contingency plans due to construction delays at Howard Middle School and Luminary Middle School. News 6

Osceola: Students are prepping for the new school year while Central Florida districts work to staff campuses. Osceola County has 3% of its workforce left to recruit. WESH.

Flagler: Brendan Depa, the severely autistic Florida teen whose assault on teacher’s aide Joan Naydich went viral last year, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in state prison followed by 15 years of probation. In imposing the sentence in Flagler County Court, Circuit Judge Terrence Perkins said that while he was conscious of Depa’s disabilities, the teenager’s Feb. 21, 2023 attack, which left Naydich with broken ribs, was senselessly violent in a “very troubling way.” The case raised concerns among parents with special needs children, who said they fear it will set a harsh precedent for teenagers with autism who struggle to regulate their behavior. Miami Herald.

St. Johns: Crews begin clearing land for St. Johns County’s newest K-8 charter school; some residents have traffic concerns. News4Jax.

Leon: Walmart and Whole Child Leon team up on a back-to-school event. Tallahassee Democrat.

Colleges and universities: Mandated by state law, South Florida's institutions of higher learning are working to project influence into Latin America. Miami Herald.

One in five tenured professors at the University of Florida who were evaluated in the first round of state-mandated tenure reviews didn't pass muster. The recently released results show that About 21% of 258 UF professors reviewed either received that notice, gave up tenure to become full-time teachers or quit, officials told Inside Higher Ed. The Republican-led initiative, which has faced court challenge, requires that instructors who get the lowest rating “receive a notice of termination.” None of the other state colleges reported numbers nearly that high. Florida State University reported that none of the professors who were reviewed received ratings requiring termination. Inside Higher Ed.

A union representing public university professors and its chapters at Florida State University and the University of Florida filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the state law banning arbitration of their employment disputes. At issue is a provision in SB 266, a law Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in 2023, that eliminates arbitration through unions in disputes about tenure, terminations, and promotions. The 31-page complaint alleges UF fired a tenured professor on medical leave in January. When the UF union chapter tried to intervene, a university official said the decision wasn’t up for arbitration and was final, according to the suit. The plaintiff, United Faculty of Florida, filed another suit over SB 266 in state court against New College last year. Florida Phoenix.

Around the nation: A Texas middle school is banning students from wearing all-black clothing because school officials say it’s associated with mental health issues. Students at Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, headed back to school Monday, days after a letter from Principal Nick DeSantis outlined the school’s new dress code policy. The letter says the school is eliminating all-black clothing because it is “associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality.” Some students and parents have opposed it, saying choice of clothing colors is not necessarily related to the state of someone's mental health. WCJB.

Surfside: Two Miami-Dade students are among the 150 missing in the Surfside condo collapse.  Miami-Dade Public School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told the Miami Herald that they have  been able to connect with 15 of the 17 students living in the building.  Miami Herald.

Duval: Duval County Public Schools will be getting a new chief of police. Retired Jacksonville Sheriff's Office  Assistant Chief Gregory Burton gets the nod to become the next executive director of the school district's police force. WJCT, Florida Times-Union.

Hillsborough: The Hillsborough County School District board met yesterday to defend its rejection of several charter school applications. The board claimed two schools were rejected because of financial issues and two others because of "problems related to implementation of special education." Several parents spoke before the board to defend the rejected charter schools. “It is very disheartening to watch a School Board meeting where members suggest that I as a parent don’t know what is best for my children,” said parent Ternica Blackmon. “With all due respect, my children’s education is not your choice. It’s mine.” Tampa Bay Times.

St. Johns: St Johns county will continue contact tracing, limit stadium capacity to 75 percent and continue to ask students and guests to wear masks at games. WJXT.

Testing: Fewer students took state tests in public schools last year, but how could that impact school grades? An analysis found only four of the state's 67 school districts made improvements during the lockdown while 55 saw declines in academic performance.  Florida Phoenix.

Higher education: Cost overruns on a new dormitory almost threatened to end the 117 year existence of Bethune-Cookman University. The University was able to settle with the developer and create a new financial plan with a $108 million loan backed by the Federal department of education. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

National: Puerto Rico will be receiving nearly $4 billion to boost the islands education. Miami Herald. A new study says the method of using free and reduced-price meals program eligibility as a proxy for student poverty is wrong and outdated. Researchers believe the old method overcounts the number of students living in poverty. Education Week.

CARES Funding: Just 10 percent of the $693.2 million from the CARES Act funds available to Florida has been allocated to schools. Hillsborough County schools have received $29 million and only 10 other school districts have received more than $1 million in funds to date. Tampa Bay Times.

Computer programing: Salaries in Florida for computer based occupations double the state average, but only 30 percent of public schools teach courses in the subject. Nearly 400 teachers in Miami-Dade are prepared to complete state certifications to teach computer science. Miami Herald.

Corona caution: Duval County schools superintendent urges students to be take precautions against the coronavirus at school and at home with face coverings, hand washing and social distancing. WJXT.

Effective?: Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Donald Fennoy was rated "Effective" by the school board. Two board members pushed unsuccessfully to put Fennoy on an "improvement plan." Palm Beach Post. 

Pay Raises: Gov. DeSantis and the legislature set aside $500 million for teacher pay raises, including requiring a minimum teacher salary of $47,500, but not all teachers have seen their pay raise yet. While the teacher union accepted the deal in Palm Beach County the union rejected the raise in Broward. Negotiations are ongoing. Sun Sentinel.

Students for Trump: Students marching through Riverview High School during spirit week face a backlash from  classmates. WFLA.  A New Smyrna Beach high school student is suing his school after his parking pass was revoked. The 18-year old student believes the punishment was due to the red, white and blue elephant, painted with the word "Trump," in the back of his father's pickup truck. WVTV.

STEM: Former Miami Heat star Chris Bosh will become dean of DRL Academy, helping students learn STEM skills through games and online lessons on how to build drone racers and more. DRL Academy is a project of the Drone Racing League. Bradenton Herald.

Teacher survey: What is it like to teach students during the pandemic? A NBC 6 survey finds out. WVTJ.

Quarantine: 70 students and staff at Palm Lake Elementary School will be in quarantine for two weeks while two high schools in Orange County have reopened. Orlando Sentinel.

Alachua: Covid cases are not as widespread as previously feared, though 507 people in the school district have been infected. More than 30,000 students were enrolled in Alachua County last year.  Gainesville Sun.

Manatee: Manatee County schools are looking to do another tax referendum in 2021 or 2022. The last property tax referendum passed in 2018 and is set to expire in 2022. Bradenton Herald.

Opinion: John E. Coons, professor emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley, reflects on the excuses made by opponents of school choice to thwart educational opportunities for low-income students over the  past 50 years. redefinED.