Education in the News Updates 🗞️

Education in the News

Initial House and Senate budgets show Florida’s education priorities

House and Senate leaders are nearly aligned on how much they want to spend on K-12 education for next year. But there are key differences in the initial budget plans rolled out Wednesday.

The two proposals, signaling the start of state budget negotiations, are only $90 million apart in topline spending and provide a glimpse at possible fault lines that could soon emerge at the statehouse over how much the state will ultimately spend improving teacher salaries and addressing school safety and student mental health.

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Florida lawmakers review rules for high school sports

High school sports grabbed state lawmakers’ attention last week, as a House subcommittee considered new rules and restrictions for student athletes.

On one hand, they looked to get tough with students who seek to play sports upon their return to school after being sentenced for crimes such as homicide and sexual assault. They said if kids can be banned for poor grades, they also can be banned for criminal activity.

Florida looks to keep kids off social media. Can it work?

The Florida House this week approved legislation to prohibit anyone under 16 years old from having a social media account.

The House built upon previous related measures, such as requiring schools to provide lessons on safe social media use, better secure students’ digital data and restrict the use of certain applications on school-owned devices and platforms.

“This is about protecting children from addictive technology and what we know harms them,” House Speaker Paul Renner said after HB 1 passed. The Senate has yet to take up the initiative, but President Kathleen Passidomo has signaled support for it, News Service of Florida reports.

Florida Department of Education releases stats on weapons possession incidents at schools in 2022-23

The Florida Department of Education released data on Monday on weapons possession within its public school districts.Public schools in Palm Beach County had 205 incidents of weapons possession incidents, with 88 incidents reported to law enforcement.

The 205 incidents ranked second among public school districts in the state.Of the 205 incidents in Palm Beach County, 10 involved a firearm and 195 incidents involved another weapon.

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