Florida Department of Education

The state Department of Education just cut 30 percent of the funding for afterschool programs in 40 percent of the state's school districts—with impacts coinciding on the first day of class

The vote will supplement in-person and virtual measures to combat threats to Florida's K-12 schools.

Anastasios Kamoutsas said his top priorities are school safety and student achievement. He was appointed commissioner in June after Manny Diaz Jr. became interim president of the University of West Florida.

The Trump administration announced it would withhold $6 billion in education grants to schools and education groups throughout the country to review whether they align with the president's priorities.

Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended the appointment of Deputy Chief of Staff Anastasios Kamoutsas to succeed Manny Diaz Jr., who is now the interim president at the University of West Florida.

It is one of a series of lawsuits stemming from a 2023 education law and related decisions by districts to remove from library shelves or restrict access to books deemed “pornographic” or describing “sexual conduct.”

The goal is to make it easier for the public and the state to make sure they comply with state laws that restrict sexually and age-inappropriate materials.

The list includes classics and newer favorites that were removed or discontinued in Florida K-12 schools during the 2023-24 school year.

They want districts to restrict some lesson plans on contraception, anatomy and consent, saying the lessons are inappropriate for students.

Jaime Suarez teaches math at the Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics in Spring Hill. She was awarded $50,000.

The Florida Department of Education released the 2023-24 school grades report this week. One of the highlights for the greater Tampa Bay region was Pinellas County's first districtwide A in two decades of reports.

Over 100 scholars attended the 2024 Sunshine State Scholars Conference, with 37 students earning 1-year scholarships.