Online requirement: The new education law gives Florida high school students additional options to fulfill an online class required for graduation. The specifics are vague, though, and school officials are hoping for clarification from the Florida Department of Education. Orlando Sentinel.

FHSAA accused: The Florida High School Athletic Association is being accused of not following a new law that allows schools to join the association on a sport-by-sport basis. The FHSAA violated the intent of the law by telling schools that only those with full membership status will be allowed to participate in state playoffs, according to Stuart Weiss, president of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. Orlando Sentinel.

Transgenders and bathrooms: Nate Quinn, a 17-year-old transgender student at the Pine View School in Sarasota, is lobbying for a district policy giving transgender students access to the bathroom they identify with. Reuters. Target becomes the first major U.S. corporation to "welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity." Washington Post.

Suicide training: Florida teachers will be trained in suicide prevention as part of a law passed by the Legislature this year. The two hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention, developed by the Florida Department of Education and the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, begins in the 2016-2017 school year. WFSU.

Special education growth: The number of school-age students with disabilities has grown almost 3 percent since the 2011-12 school year, according to an analysis by Education Week and its Research Center. Rapid growth in such disability categories as autism and an 8 percent increase in New York State contributed to the increase. Education Week. (more…)