The big story: On the last day of its spring session, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that’s getting accolades from supporters of the conservative parental rights movement.
With Mahmoud vs. Taylor, a Maryland case, the court backed efforts in Florida and elsewhere to grant parents more ability for their children to walk away from classroom content when it doesn’t match their beliefs.
The majority found that schools that do not offer opt-out provisions in advance for families to remove their children from lessons they find objectionable are placing an unconstitutional burden on families’ religious rights. It did not indicate how schools would know which materials might be challenged, a source of potential confusion.
“This ruling is a major victory,” Florida-based Moms for Liberty cofounder Tina Descovich said in a release celebrating the decision. “We don’t co-parent with the government — and we are winning!”
Legal experts suggested the court’s guidance could lead to lawsuits in other states when teachers read books in classes that some parents do not want their children exposed to, based on religion. The book in question in the Mahmoud case included LGBTQ+ themes and characters, but the challenges would not be limited to a single subject area. Read more from Associated Press and Vox.
Hot topics
Accreditation: United Faculty of Florida and the Florida Education Association criticized the establishment of a new university accreditation agency as politically driven, Jacksonville Free Press reports.
Branding: The Alachua County school district is launching new websites and communication systems in an effort to better communicate with the public, MainStreet Daily News reports.
Budgets: Palm Beach County school district officials are now anticipating a modest revenue increase rather than the significant cuts they projected earlier in the spring, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Connections: Former Collier County school board member Erika Donalds, whose husband is running for Florida governor, has made millions in charter school contracts through her firms, Florida Bulldog reports.
Diversity policies: Some Duval County parents are upset with the school district’s plan to eliminate much of its diversity, equity and inclusion policy, WJXT reports. • The conservative Accuracy in Media organization continues work to root out DEI activity at universities in Florida and other states that have already moved to eliminate such initiatives, Inside Higher Ed reports.
HBCUs: Florida A&M University president Marva Johnson says she hopes to build upon the passion of the Rattler Nation, evidenced in protests over her nomination, to propel the school forward and protect its legacy, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • Edward Waters University announced its highest level of applications in its 158-year history, Black Enterprise reports.
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Math lessons: A Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation survey shows business leaders find classroom math education lacking the skills that employers seek, WUSF reports.
Robotics: About 30 Broward County teachers got lessons in the latest robotics technology in advance of future student competitions, WSVN reports.
Security: Lake Wales High school, a Polk County charter school, will begin using a walk-through metal detector at its entrance, WFLA reports.
Student discipline: The Volusia County school board is rewriting its Code of Conduct with more specific examples, so students and parents better understand what’s being enforced, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Student health: Florida is the first state to require student-athletes get a heart screening test before participating in high school sports, Central Florida Public Media reports.
From the court docket … Two new lawsuits against the Manatee County school district contend that district leaders ignored early signs that could have prevented children from being sexually abused by a former elementary school instructional aide, the Bradenton Herald reports. • A Duval County teacher will lose his teaching certification after being found guilty of exposing himself through a window at a Disney World resort, Jacksonville Today reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … It’s Ice-T for iced tea. Don’t forget the Lipton insurance.