The big story: As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, some education services in Florida and around the nation are feeling the effects.
Federally funded Head Start preschool programs are warning that they will close by the end of the week if Congress doesn’t adopt a federal budget. The program in Tallahassee has done all it can to stay open, interim CEO Nina Self told NPR.
But it’s drawn down its resources, and expects fund to run dry by the end of the week, Self said.
Another Head Start program in North Florida indicated it could continue serving its eight rural communities through November. Read more from the Tallahassee Democrat.
This is the latest potential consequence of the budget battle in Washington, D.C. Parents of children with special needs earlier raised fears that services to their children were in jeopardy as the U.S. Department of Education dismissed most of the staff that oversees compliance with federal special education laws.
Some school districts have suggested that the shutdown also could threaten the availability of subsidized cafeteria meals.
So far, there’s no indication that Republicans and Democrats are any closer to a resolution, NPR reports.
Weapons detection: The Pinellas County school district is looking into placing weapons detection systems in schools as a way to add another layer of campus security.
University presidents: The University of South Florida has selected its next president. Moez Limayem more recently led the University of North Florida. • Jacksonville University president Tim Cost says he’ll leave his post to become the school’s new chancellor, Jacksonville Today reports. • Florida A&M University trustees asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges the process that led to the appointment of president Marva Johnson, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Senior graduation requirements: Pinellas County high schools are reminding seniors that certificates of completion no longer exist, and they won’t participate in graduation without a standard diploma.
Schools of Hope: Two “Schools of Hope” providers have proposed taking up unused space in Orange County schools. They’re getting a chilly reception, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • Sarasota County school district leaders are discussing whether to merge some under-used schools to prevent campus takeovers by Schools of Hope operators. Parents so far don’t like what they’re hearing, WUSF reports.
Online education: Bethune-Cookman University is launching a new online-only degree program, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Hairstyle discrimination: A state lawmaker has revived legislation to forbid schools from treating students differently based solely on their hairstyle, Florida Politics reports.
Free speech: An Orange County high school reversed course and will allow a teacher to display a poster of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk alongside other posters in the classroom, WKMG reports.
Diversity programs: Federal lawmakers representing Broward County are asking the Trump Administration to reconsider its order that the school district end its Latinos in Action programs, the Sun-Sentinel reports. The administration has argued the program discriminates against non-Latino students.
Classical education: A Miami-Dade County district elementary school became the first public school in south Florida to adopt the classical education curriculum that conservative groups have promoted, WTVJ reports.
Charter schools: The Orange County school board is preparing to convert one of its elementary schools into a charter K-8 campus, with some officials saying the move would provide more opportunities for the low-income communities it serves, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Budget cuts: Broward County school district officials are exploring ways to slash spending by more than $80 million as the confront dwindling revenue amid decreasing enrollment, WFOR reports.
Background checks: Teachers at a St. Lucie County private school that accepts state vouchers say the school did not conduct required background checks before allowing employees to work with children, WPTV reports.
From the police blotter … More details emerged about a Pasco County teacher accused of killing her 6-year-old son. • An assistant athletic coach at a Broward County private Christian school was arrested on accusations of multiple sex crimes against students, WFOR reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … What’s your school’s answer to “CheatGPT”?
Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporters covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
