Latest news with #FloridaDepartmentofEducation
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Drivers could be banned from the road from August 1 if they fail to meet new legal requirements
A new law for young drivers is being introduced in Florida on August 1. The Sunshine State will enforce new requirements for anyone over the age of 15 in driver's ed. The new law requires learners to complete a 50-hour driver education and traffic safety course, approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles). This law is added to the current requirement of passing a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course - a mandatory program for first-time drivers in Florida. Developed by the Florida Department of Education, the Statute is designed to educate drivers on traffic laws and reinforce safe driving and decision-making behaviors. The goal of this new policy is to reduce the amount of preventable crashes and fatalities among teen drivers. The law, which was set to take effect this month, will now be enforced starting on August 1 in order for there to be a smooth rollout. The new rule was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis back in May after it unanimously passed in the state's House and Senate. Drivers who do not follow this policy after its enforcement may face a ticket and/or fine Florida residents must adhere to several terms to snag a learner's permit, which is necessary for a driver's license. Hopeful drivers must be 15 to enroll in courses, and anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form. They must provide proof of TLSAE course completion, a program that usually takes four hours to finish. Once they pass a vision and hearing test conducted in a service center, the applicant must pass a Class E knowledge exam. After meeting the permit requirements, the driver must hold their permit for at least one year or reach the age of 18. The drivers can take their driver's test once the requirements are met in an insured vehicle that passes inspection. Licensed 16-year-old drivers will only be allowed to drive between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm, which will change to 5:00 am and 1:00 am once they turn 17. Once they turn 18, restrictions will be lifted, and Florida residents will typically have the freedom to drive as they please. Not wearing seat belts is the reason behind one-third of fatalities and serious injuries from car crashes with teenage drivers in Florida The state of Florida has had high numbers in fatalities from crashes involving teenage drivers. Over one million crashes involved teenage drivers back in 2020, including 4,405 fatalities and 319,335 serious injuries. Those numbers were significantly higher in 2022, and studies showed that riding without a seatbelt results in one-third of fatalities and serious injuries. Seatbelt usage has been a high concern for drivers and passengers of all ages, resulting in new and proposed state laws. A new law in Virginia that took effect earlier this month requires all adults to wear seatbelts on highways. Drivers who do not follow this rule will face a $25 fine. As of now, New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't have an adult seatbelt mandate.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
A parent's guide to Miami neighborhoods with A-plus schools
In Miami, great schools often signal more than just academic quality — they can reflect strong community ties, safe neighborhoods and enriching extracurricular opportunities. If you're moving with kids, zoning for top-rated public schools can be a smart way to narrow your home search. From nationally recognized elementary schools to award-winning magnet programs, these Miami neighborhoods stand out for education. School Districts in Miami Florida school districts are divided by county. All residents of the Miami metro area are zoned in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. As the third-largest school district in the country, M-DCPS serves over 330,000 students every year. Overall, the Florida Department of Education gave M-DCPS a grade of 'A' for the last three years. Because M-DCPS is such a large district, its schools are divided into three regions: North, Central and South. Each region has its own superintendent and geographical area to support. Families moving to the Miami area should consider which of these regions best meets their needs for housing, community and schools. When you're looking for homes for sale in Miami, use the M-DCPS school locator tool to see which neighborhood schools you're assigned. School Choice, Charters, and Magnet Schools Miami-Dade County Public Schools offer families a variety of educational options beyond their assigned neighborhood schools. Through its school choice program, students can apply to attend schools with specialized academic programs across the district. While all students are zoned for a neighborhood school, many of these schools include unique enrichment opportunities, such as language immersion, STEM tracks or arts integration. M-DCPS also operates a number of magnet and charter schools that serve students countywide. Charter schools and magnet schools provide more specialized programs to students, drawing from the entire area (rather than just the neighborhood). Magnet schools are public schools with specialized themes or curricula, such as performing arts, international studies, or technology. Admission is often competitive and based on an application schools are independently run public schools that may center around alternative teaching models or focus areas. These schools are tuition-free and open to all students, but admission may be limited based on capacity. Parents can find information about the school choice program from the M-DCPS website. North Region The North Region covers the neighborhoods of North Miami, Miami Lakes, parts of Hialeah, and Miami Beach. With great options for schools at every level, these three stand out for consistent 'A' rankings and a plethora of activities. North Beach Elementary School North Beach Elementary is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) school, which encourages students to become globally minded, inquiry-driven learners from a young age. The school's vision is to 'educate the whole child' and foster 'responsible citizens of the world.' Alongside consistently high academic scores, the school also received the 2025 Upstander School designation, highlighting its anti-bullying and empowering atmosphere. Hialeah Gardens Middle School As a non-magnet school, Hialeah Gardens Middle still offers an impressive array of activities and clubs for its students, from Agriscience to Law Academy. The school's vision includes fostering 'a learning environment where diversity is valued.' Barbara Goleman Senior High School Awarded the Top School of Excellence for 2025 from the American Magnet Schools Association, this magnet school for academically gifted students is a standout. Students focus on STEM fields, including Cybersecurity and Digital Marketing. The school also supports more than 50 sports and clubs. Central Region Miami's Central Region covers neighborhoods near downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Springs, West Miami, Doral, Sweetwater, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. These schools highlight Miami's strength in delivering high-quality education to a diverse student population. Coconut Grove Elementary School With both French and Spanish programs offered as part of the regular curriculum, Coconut Grove Elementary promotes academic success alongside good character. The school has received multiple 'School of Excellence' honors and holds a long-standing reputation as the first public school in Miami-Dade County. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy This K-8 school is committed to a safe learning environment where every student can succeed. The National PTA School of Excellence designation highlights the high level of community involvement. South Region – Top Miami Schools The South Region of M-DCPS includes consistently top-performing schools. In rankings of the best school district zones in Miami, the neighborhoods of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay are almost always included. While some schools in southern Miami-Dade near Homestead may have lower scores, families looking for the strongest academic zones should focus on the Pinecrest area. Pinecrest Elementary School Pinecrest Elementary receives stellar ratings across the board. From test scores to parent involvement, this K-5 school has earned an 'A' grade school for 26 consecutive years. Its list of accolades extends beyond academics. It is designated as both a 'kindness school' and a green school, highlighting that the community at Pinecrest Elementary is fully committed to excellence. Palmetto Middle School This school uses the Cambridge Academy model, which integrates traditional academics with project-based learning and inquiry. Palmetto Middle supports students' social and emotional development alongside academic success. Miami Palmetto Senior High School This top-ranking magnet school offers high school students a range of college and career tracks, including technical education and visual or performing arts, while also developing strong foundational skills. The school's goal to help students 'achieve the extraordinary' is clear through energetic community participation and consistently high academic scores. Choosing the best school for your children is a major decision, but fortunately, Miami has plenty that make the grade year after year.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US education faces turning point as Florida district moves to purge all 'pornographic' books without review
Escambia County moves to remove books without review amid Florida's record book bans. In a move seen by many as a major inflection point in the US education system, the Escambia County School Board in Florida is preparing to vote on a proposal that would allow the removal of all books labeled as "pornographic" or "age-inappropriate" without further review. The district is responding to a growing push across the state to eliminate content deemed unsuitable for students, echoing pressure from top Florida officials and a rising wave of book challenges nationwide. The recommendations, spearheaded by board member Kevin Adams, would eliminate titles flagged by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and restrict future media center acquisitions until a stricter vetting process is in place. The school board will determine the policy's fate in an upcoming regular meeting. Adams emphasized the proposal is intended to protect children and preserve parental rights, stating, as reported by the Pensacola News Journal, 'This is not an 80-20 issue, it's a 90-10 issue. No parent wants someone else to indoctrinate their child.' Escambia County at the center of Florida's book purge Escambia County has become a focal point in the book removal movement, having already removed more than 1,600 titles from its school libraries as of December 2023, according to the Florida Freedom to Read Project. The county leads all Florida districts in book removals and is facing two separate lawsuits over its handling of book challenges. Across the state, Florida had nearly 2,700 book titles targeted for restriction or removal in 2024, making it the national leader in such actions, according to data from the American Library Association. Escambia County's current review spreadsheet lists approximately 235 unresolved challenges, with only 25 titles fully addressed so far—resulting in 2 books retained, 9 removed, and 14 restricted to certain grade levels. State officials add pressure amid broader national scrutiny The push for accelerated removals follows mounting pressure from state officials. In a recent letter, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded that Hillsborough County schools immediately remove materials he referred to as 'patently pornographic.' Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. similarly asked Hillsborough's superintendent to explain 'why you continue to allow pornographic materials' in schools. The Pensacola News Journal reported that Adams modeled his recommendations on actions taken in other districts including Hillsborough, Orange, and Alachua counties. Board members Paul Fetsko, Carissa Bergosh, and Tom Harrell expressed support for the policy, with Harrell stating that 'sexually-explicit material does not need to be in our schools—period.' Aiming to set a precedent for future policies The proposal also includes measures to hold media specialists accountable. Harrell suggested requiring them to sign certifications verifying that no explicit content is present in purchased materials. Board chair David Williams expressed hope that this decision would establish long-term safeguards, saying, 'If we get this right this time, we prevent this from being a problem in our district for decades to come,' as quoted by the Pensacola News Journal. As Florida's approach gains momentum, the developments in Escambia County could signal a significant shift in how US public schools manage access to literature and uphold community standards. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘We can't hide kids:' Sumter County superintendent promises change after student records scandal
Sumter County Schools Superintendent Logan Brown greeted reporters at the door first thing Monday morning and made no secret of his reasoning to call a rare press conference at the small district: a need to show change was coming as he focused on rebuilding trust. 'We can't hide kids,' he said. 'We have to educate them to the highest standard, and that's exactly what we're going to do going forward.' Less than a year into his tenure, Brown accepted responsibility and blame for a scheme made public by a 53-page report released by the Florida Department of Education last week that said for six years, the district falsified student records in order to boost its ratings and funding. The plan centered around a program named SOAR. According to the report, the district moved approximately 200 low-performing students out of classrooms in their zoned school and into virtual classes. The investigation found that in some cases, the district never notified parents. Brown said several staff had been terminated and the administrators involved had left before he took over. He said the district would not have to give any money back. 'This is something that happened in the past, and we want to go forward and focus on the great things that we're doing,' he said. 'The only thing that I can commit to you as the leader of the school district now is that this will never happen again.' Online and in-person Monday, residents celebrated the notes of transparency the district was sounding. Mistrust has run deep in some corners of the county, and the response suggested Brown was moving the district in the right direction. Ironically, three of the four schools involved increased their ratings after SOAR ended and students returned to their normal classrooms. Two of the schools are now A-rated. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Virtual job fair will interview teachers for Orange County schools
Orange County Public Schools will host a virtual job for for educators on June 24. Multiple schools will do interviews for in-person teaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify, you must have a certification by the Florida Department of Education. The job fair will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Career fair Plus. Click here to register. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
