The big story: Homeschooling continues to grow across Florida as families seek more flexibility for their children.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
One Alachua County parent, who\u2019s a former school administrator and teacher, told WUFT that she didn\u2019t find public education challenging enough for her son.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Melissa Barryman said. Read more from WUFT<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arts education: A coalition of arts organizations seeks to expand music, dance and visual arts<\/a> offerings in Miami-Dade County public schools, WLRN reports.<\/p>\n Free speech: University of Florida interim president Donald Landry has enacted a policy limiting university leaders\u2019 speech<\/a> on social issues.<\/p>\n New schools: The Gilchrist County school district has indefinitely delayed plans for a new elementary school<\/a> because of budget constraints, WCJB reports. \u2022 The Manatee County school district has two new elementary schools<\/a> under construction with plans of opening in fall 2026, the Bradenton Herald reports.<\/p>\n Schools of Hope: The Broward and Palm Beach county school districts have rejected all but one of 197 co-location requests<\/a> they received from Schools of Hope charter operators, the Sun-Sentinel reports.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, WCJB reports.<\/p>\n Vouchers: Florida\u2019s experience with education vouchers<\/a>, including its inability to track all students and their funding, serves as a guide for other states exploring the concept, the Washington Post reports.<\/p>\n From the police blotter … A Leon County food truck owner was indicted on charges that he made threats of violence<\/a> against two local schools, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.<\/p>\n From the court docket … The director of school safety for Santa Rosa County schools pleaded no contest<\/a> to battery charges and will enter a pretrial intervention program, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a story. Here\u2019s a link to Friday\u2019s roundup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before you go … Did you catch the breakdancing world championships?<\/p>\n