The big story: Homeschooling continues to grow across Florida as families seek more flexibility for their children.
State records indicate that the number of students enrolled in the model has grown to nearly 153,000, up about 6.6% since 2020. Another nearly 60,000 get Personalized Education Program vouchers for homeschooling.
Many families who made that option indicate in surveys that they worry about safety at public schools, with other leading factors including a desire for moral instruction and wanting to better emphasize family life.
One Alachua County parent, who’s a former school administrator and teacher, told WUFT that she didn’t find public education challenging enough for her son.
“The only way that I can make sure that he keeps his childhood but still allow him to be challenged academically was for us to look at homeschooling,” Melissa Barryman said. Read more from WUFT.
Arts education: A coalition of arts organizations seeks to expand music, dance and visual arts offerings in Miami-Dade County public schools, WLRN reports.
Free speech: University of Florida interim president Donald Landry has enacted a policy limiting university leaders’ speech on social issues.
New schools: The Gilchrist County school district has indefinitely delayed plans for a new elementary school because of budget constraints, WCJB reports. • The Manatee County school district has two new elementary schools under construction with plans of opening in fall 2026, the Bradenton Herald reports.
Schools of Hope: The Broward and Palm Beach county school districts have rejected all but one of 197 co-location requests they received from Schools of Hope charter operators, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
School zones: The Alachua County school district has begun a series of 16 town hall meetings in preparation for a major revision of its school boundaries, WCJB reports.
Vouchers: Florida’s experience with education vouchers, including its inability to track all students and their funding, serves as a guide for other states exploring the concept, the Washington Post reports.
From the police blotter … A Leon County food truck owner was indicted on charges that he made threats of violence against two local schools, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
From the court docket … The director of school safety for Santa Rosa County schools pleaded no contest to battery charges and will enter a pretrial intervention program, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … Did you catch the breakdancing world championships?
Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter 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.