COVID-19 and school

The program launched in 2017 and was initially set to expire in June 2020. After extending into this school year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the pilot program will receive another extension and continue next year.

Kids were already facing a mental health crisis before the pandemic. Closing schools for a year only made it worse, says Rachel Kusher of the Florida School Counselor Association. And reopening hasn’t fixed all the harm.

He says the funds will help close achievement gaps and boost student resiliency, especially after pandemic slowdowns.

The governor says initiatives will include reading coaches, STEM and math acceleration programs, parent mentorship training and mental health resources.

Children with underlying health conditions should consider taking the vaccine and parents "are encouraged to discuss the risks and benefits" with their doctor.

Instead of shifting away money from 12 districts that required masks, legislation would set up a $200 million reserve fund from which the 55 counties that followed state directives would be rewarded.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo says there's scientific evidence that shows the vaccines are effective in reducing cases among children.

Are you a teacher who is struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic or proposed curriculum changes? We want to hear from you.

Rep. Randy Fine’s proposal would withhold $200 million from the 12 districts and redistribute that money to the rest.

Out of 4,489 current teacher vacancies, 1,321 are in teaching jobs that deal with students who have special needs.

Superintendents have to be well-qualified -- and be willing to weather problems ranging from curriculum and staffing to pandemic issues, such as online learning and mask mandates.

Omicron has exploded in schools across the Tampa Bay region this year and some local high school students say their district isn't doing enough to notify them of possible exposure.