Florida’s ‘parental rights’ law prompts schools to curb services
The big story: Florida’s new “parental rights in education” law came to school districts over the summer with few instructions on how to implement the 5 pages of new requirements.
Interpretation of the legislation, which critics derisively called “don’t say gay,” was left largely to district officials aiming not to run afoul of the state and find themselves or their employees facing fines, lawsuits or perhaps even removal.
So they’ve acted on the side of caution, telling people not to do things that might be misconstrued — including in the face of constituents who deplore the actions as counterproductive to the students who might need help the most.
The Pasco County school district is the latest to take such a step, instructing its employees on Thursday to remove all “safe space” stickers. That includes the ones the district printed and distributed itself. Read more here.
The Brevard County school district took action relating to a separate part of the law, telling families the schools will not provide health and medical services to students without specific written consent in advance, Florida Today reports.
The Miami-Dade County School Board, which last year recognized LGBTQ History Month for the first time, will discuss whether the new Florida law allows the district to adopt a similar resolution again this year, The Hill reports.
In some cases, teachers are left to figure out what the law means with little additional assistance, The 19th reports.
Hot topics
Student attendance: The Polk County school district is hiring seven “community outreach facilitators” to work on cutting down truancy, Lakeland Now reports. • Lee County schools are reporting about 8,000 unexcused absences daily, double the amount from before the pandemic, WFTX reports.
Funding: The Flagler County school district will take in $1.5 million less than a decade ago, despite rising property values, Flagler Live reports.
History lessons: A homework assignment from a Manatee County substitute sixth grade teacher went viral over its references to a “stolen” 2020 presidential election, the Bradenton Herald reports. More from the Herald-Tribune.
Book challenges: Volusia County School Board members predicted an active year of requests to remove books from school shelves, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. • A Hillsborough County parent’s claim that a local middle school has on its shelves a book teaching about gay sex is true, Snopes.com reports. District officials said no one has formally challenged the book.
School technology: The Polk County school district received a grant allowing to expand its one-to-one device program, the Ledger reports. • Brevard County schools are expanding their use of technology in classrooms and buses, using tax revenue and federal funds to cover the cost, Florida Today reports.
Other school news
The Palm Beach County school district has about Creole-speaking 10,000 students. It has launched the first Creole dual-language immersion school in Florida, WPTV reports.
Duval County is preparing to build four new schools. They’re among many projects planned using revenue from the district’s local-option sales tax, WJXT reports.
An Osceola County elementary school teacher was removed from the classroom after being accused of striking a student. No criminal charges have been filed, and the district is investigating, WOFL reports.
The Washington County school district has plans to build two new prekindergarten buildings. Rising costs have caused the project to be delayed and possibly canceled, WJHG reports.
From the police blotter ... A Miami-Dade County student was arrested over a false threat of violence that sent into lockdown, the Miami Herald reports. • A DeSoto County student was arrested on accusations of making a social media threat of violence against a school, WBBH reports.
From the court docket ... The Okaloosa County school district reached settlements with three families whose children with disabilities were abused by their teachers, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go ... Monday is Labor Day. Why do we celebrate this holiday? Let PBS Kids explain how we’re able to better balance work, rest and play without fear of being fired. Then enjoy the three-day weekend.
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