State
Follow the latest K-12 education developments across Florida, including news from school districts, the state education agency, associations and education organizations.
Last updated: September 17, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 4 Florida stories over the last 30 days, from 1 organization. The most frequent themes are Career & Technical Education, Funding and Grants.
Florida announced that Workforce Pell Grant funding is beginning to support short-duration training programs focused on careers, according to the state Department of Education.
Florida's approach to responsible artificial intelligence use in education covers voluntary prekindergarten, K-12 schools and colleges, spanning early learning through higher education.
A $6.6 million grant will support the Florida Department of Education in increasing opportunities for students in the state to gain experience through work-based learning.
The Florida Department of Education is taking action against commercial driver’s license training providers in the state following a federal enforcement action.
Florida education Commissioner Mack announced leadership changes at the state Department of Education aimed at improving collaboration and reducing organizational silos.
Florida students are invited to enter art and essay competitions for Hispanic Heritage Month. The invitation comes from the state education department and Volunteer Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida was the first state to answer a federal request for action addressing academic excellence and operational performance.
Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack marked the start of the 2026-27 academic year with visits to providers spanning early childhood education through career preparation.
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s education achievements ahead of the 2026-27 school year, describing the state’s results as leading the nation.
Osceola County educator Kyndall Brown has been selected as Florida’s Teacher of the Year for 2027. The designation recognizes a teacher from the county at the state level.
Florida's State Board of Education voted unanimously to name Dr. Henry Mack as the state's education commissioner, appointing him to lead the Department of Education.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has put forward Dr. Henry Mack as his recommended candidate for the position of education commissioner for the state of Florida.
The state awarded $14.6 million to support the expansion of preapprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities in Florida, according to the education department.
The Florida Department of Education describes the state's education performance as a continuation of its record of excellence for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Florida's education commissioner, Kamoutsas, highlighted gains in school performance reflected in the state's school grades for the 2025-2026 academic year.
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State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
States are expanding career pathways and hands-on learning through grants, new facilities and work placements, including apprenticeships and work-based learning in Florida, paid AI internships in Massachusetts and a manufacturing lab at Mililani High School in Hawaii. Pennsylvania awarded $3.5 million to broaden career pathways, while Mississippi launched a statewide initiative connecting classroom lessons with college and careers for the 2026–27 school year. Rhode Island and Maryland are working with Advance CTE to expand pathway access with student participation in program and policy design. At the federal level, a stopgap spending measure maintained Perkins V career and technical education funding at current levels through December 11.
States and districts are taking different approaches to AI in education: Florida’s responsible-use approach spans prekindergarten through college, Illinois has issued nonbinding K-12 guidance, and New York City has announced a generative AI moratorium in public schools. Missouri is expanding access to free AI training and tools while leaving school adoption decisions local, and Massachusetts is expanding paid AI internships for 400 students through a $500,000 public-private investment. In higher education, Idaho has announced seven AI innovation awards across five colleges and universities.
Early childhood education is part of leadership changes and broader education policy efforts in Massachusetts, Florida and New York City. Massachusetts appointed universal preschool leaders to its Foundation Budget Review Commission, issued PROTECT Act guidance for schools and child care providers, and partnered with Project Bread to provide free meals in child care and afterschool programs. New York City is expanding pre-K special education and appointed a new deputy chancellor for early childhood education. Florida’s approach to responsible AI use in education includes voluntary prekindergarten alongside K-12 schools and colleges.
Recent grant announcements in Kansas, Florida, Connecticut and Colorado fund educator recruitment pathways, career training, early literacy and school meals. Kansas received $8.4 million in federal funding to strengthen its educator pipeline, while Florida announced the start of Workforce Pell Grant funding for short-term, career-focused training. Connecticut’s five-year, $10 million federal grant will expand small-group reading interventions and educator coaching across 75 elementary schools serving K–3 students with significant reading difficulties. Colorado announced $23.8 million in two noncompetitive grants to expand local food purchasing and scratch cooking in schools and raise nutrition workers’ pay.
States are funding educator recruitment and preparation and changing certification pathways: Kansas received an $8.4 million federal educator-pipeline grant, while Illinois allocated $15 million for recruitment and retention in 100 districts accounting for about 77% of reported teacher vacancies. Pennsylvania joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to reduce certification barriers for eligible out-of-state teachers, and Connecticut opened registration for a free six-week paraeducator preparation academy. Teacher recognition programs also progressed from regional selections to finalists and statewide winners in Missouri and Iowa, while Colorado announced finalists and Hawaii, Kansas, Indiana, New York and Florida named 2027 Teachers of the Year.
Based on: ICYMI: Florida Announces the Start of Workforce Pell Grant Funding to Support Short-Term, Career-Focused Training
Based on: Florida Sets National Standard for Responsible AI in Classrooms—From VPK Through College
Based on: Florida Department of Education Awarded $6.6 Million Grant to Expand Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Florida Students
Based on: Florida Awards $14.6 Million to Expand Preapprenticeship and Apprenticeship Opportunities in Florida
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 7, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Maine Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
