The big story: The fight from the right against diversity, equity and inclusion in Florida schools continues to swirl among state and local policy makers.
One Hernando County school board member is particularly emboldened.
Calling the concepts “dirty words” that signal a “dumbing down” of curriculum, board member Shannon Rodriguez has called on her colleagues to delete the terms from district rules, most recently its school choice guidelines for 2025-26.
The board narrowly rejected her effort. But with three current members departing in November, the debate is certain to resurface, Suncoast News reports. Read more here.
Hot topics
Getting there: Families in a growing Orange County community find it increasingly difficult to bring their children to school on congested roadways, Spectrum 13 reports.
Mental health services: Polk County students have been using the school district’s telehealth service for therapy sessions more frequently, Lakeland Now reports.
School closures: Six Duval County elementary schools could close at the end of the academic year if the school board approves the plan today, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Student behavior: A Lake County middle school has seen its student discipline referrals decline by 27% since implementing a positive behavior intervention system, Spectrum 13 reports.
Teacher pay: Alachua County teachers are pushing for raises as their contract negotiations reached an impasse, the Independent Florida Alligator reports.
Transgender student athletes: A Broward County mom fights to reestablish normal life for her transgender daughter after facing termination from the school district over allowing her daughter to participate on the girl’s high school volleyball team, the Washington Post reports.
Weather report: All Florida state universities reopened, while a handful of school districts continued to cancel classes, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Florida Phoenix reports.
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Before you go … It’s already October.