Florida Public Schools

For the second year in a row, Florida removed more books from school libraries than any other state, according to PEN America.

School districts in the Tampa Bay area are continuing to regulate cellphone use. New policies in Pasco and Pinellas schools will largely bar students from using their phones during class.

More than 1,000 Florida residents were surveyed about their beliefs about public education, public school funding, and who should call the shots in the state’s public schools.

HB 109 would allow municipalities to apply to convert public schools within city bounds into charters.

More than 4,000 teaching positions need to be filled across Florida. In the greater Tampa Bay region, there's about 880 vacancies.

Laws that govern how gender identity and sexual orientation may be addressed in schools have caused confusion. Some districts have created guidelines that clarify these laws and aim to protect LGBTQ students and staff.

But in a sign that objections from the community had some effect, Pasco County said it does not plan to spend $575,000 for a full five-year contract.

Funds for private schools went from $326 million in 2020 to an estimated $1.3 billion for the 2022-2023 school year, according to the report.

The move comes just months after the district pulled the book from classrooms and libraries.

Throughout the month of May, WUSF will feature the voices of local teachers as they describe the challenges they face, in their own words.

Heid suggested that none of the 16 books be removed from the system, but also said that some should be pulled from — or added to — certain grade levels.

Zander Moricz said in a series of social media posts that officials told him leaders have a signal to end his speech if he references his role in the lawsuit or the movement.