Keller ISD to remove controversial books, including the Bible, from library shelves for review
The district says that campus staff and librarians must review the books that were challenged last year to determine if they meet requirements under new district policy.
Polk County looks overseas as it struggles to fill open teacher positions
From the moment students stepped into Shenese Bonner’s class at Denison Middle School, they knew something was up.
Will the student loan payment pause be extended? CEOs say it’s likely.
Payments for federally backed student loans have been suspended since the pandemic began in March 2020 — they’re set to resume Sept. 1 unless the Biden administration steps in.
Former ITT Tech students get $3.9B in debt cancellation
Students who used federal loans to attend ITT Technical Institute as far back as 2005 will automatically get that debt canceled after authorities found “widespread and pervasive misrepresentations” at the defunct for-profit college chain.
New tech lab opens in north Tampa, helping students discover careers in computer science
A new digital technology training center in Tampa is giving people a chance to earn while they learn.
Manatee schools bring in extra security measures ahead of high school football kickoff
Ahead of the high school football kickoff in Manatee County this Friday, students and spectators will notice some extra security. The changes are happening at all high school sporting events in the county.
Polk Education Association speaks out against governor's plan to recruit veterans to fill teacher vacancies
The governor wants to loosen up the rules of becoming a teacher, which he said are too rigid. DeSantis wants to make it easier for veterans without a bachelor’s degree to teach.
Florida law prohibiting gender identity, sexual orientation instruction in grades K-3 confuses some teachers
Some Florida schools have moved library books and debated changing textbooks in response to the Parental Rights in Education law — and some teachers have worried that family pictures on their desks could get them in trouble.
Pinellas County Schools' new superintendent credits student-focused culture for teacher retention
Teacher shortages have worried school systems across the country and in the Tampa Bay area, but it’s not a dire situation in Pinellas County.
Gov. DeSantis recruiting veterans into Florida classrooms amid teacher shortage across state
Military veterans who qualify to fill in at schools where there is a teacher shortage will receive a five-year temporary teaching certificate and be assigned a mentor teacher for at least two of those years. The initiative is an expansion of the federal "Troops to Teachers" program.
'Please slow down': St. Pete police see increase in school zone speeding violations
School started in Pinellas County this week, which means more traffic. St. Petersburg police are warning drivers that they need to slow down after noticing a high number of citations issued in school zones.
No more pandemic-era free lunches at most US schools this year
The pandemic-era meals available for free to all public school students — regardless of family income levels — are ending. Here’s what you need to know heading into the school year.
First day of school for Pinellas County's new superintendent of schools
Before the sun was up on the first day of class in Pinellas County, new school superintendent Kevin Hendrick had already arrived to greet bus drivers before they rolled out to pick up students.
First day of school arrives in Hillsborough County as district juggles teacher deficit
Hillsborough County begins the first day of school with a new academy in Apollo Beach to help address overcrowding issues. Meanwhile, across the district, there are still hundreds of open teacher positions.
'Hoax' bomb threat resurfaces online, forces temporary evacuation of Pasco County school
Students at Charles S. Rushe Middle School were allowed back into classrooms around 10 a.m. Wednesday after a “hoax bomb threat” forced a temporary evacuation on the first day of school, Pasco County officials said.
Transportation policy change forces some Pasco students to find their own way to school
A change to the Pasco County school district's transportation policy is forcing a lot of students to find their own transportation to school for the first time.
Temple Terrace Library program helps jump start children's education
Libraries can start a child's love for learning at an early age, and local library's program is helping jump start children's education.
Bay Area districts still face teacher shortage as students head back to classroom
When it comes to teacher staffing in the Bay Area – Pinellas County schools is in the better position – with 113 teacher vacancies to fill. Pasco has 313 teacher vacancies, and as of last week, the Hillsborough school district had 620 vacancies.
Teachers turn to online fundraising for back to school items paid for out-of-pocket
While teachers across Tampa Bay race to check items off their back to school lists, many of them are struggling more than ever to pay out of pocket and turning to online fundraisers for help.
St. Pete high school unveils new exercise lab for students interested in fitness, medical fields
Lakewood High School students are getting a head start on careers in the fitness and medical field thanks to the school's Athletic Lifestyle Management Academy (ALMA). Tuesday, the school unveiled the program's new exercise lab made possible by their partnerships with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and Valor Fitness.