Hillsborough County school board makes changes to mask mandate, drops doctor opt-out rule
Nearly a month after board members voted to extend its mandatory mask policy, the Hillsborough County School Board voted 6-1 to drop the requirement for a doctor to sign an opt-out form.
St. Pete Science Festival to inspire love of science through virtual event
The St. Pete Science Festival is gearing up for another year of inspiring young minds through hands-on learning activities.
Florida Polytechnic University kicks off school's first women’s sports team with soccer
Florida’s only STEM-based state university is now offering more than academics to women who attend.
Feds ramp up pressure on Florida to take COVID-19 school relief money
Florida is now the only state or U.S. territory that hasn’t submitted a plan for spending American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The plan was due in June.
California 1st state in nation to announce vaccine requirements for students
After mounting pressure from the community and school boards, California on Friday became the first in the nation to require students be vaccinated for in-person learning.
School officials ask for federal help amid threats over COVID-19 policies
The nation's school boards are asking President Joe Biden for federal assistance to investigate and stop a growing number of threats made against their members.
House passes bill aimed at protecting K-12 schools against cyberattacks
The K-12 Cybersecurity Act will allow CISA to work with schools and other federal departments to examine any cybersecurity threats that could affect students or educators.
State board eyes 11 school districts over mask policies
Continuing to pressure school districts over their handling of COVID-19, the State Board of Education has scheduled a meeting next week to look at whether 11 districts have complied with rules aimed at preventing student mask mandates.
Hillsborough County School District looks to fill hundreds of open job positions
From teachers to bus drivers, there are over 800 available positions in the Hillsborough County School District. A job fair will be held Wednesday.
Hillsborough hopes job fair will fill open school positions
Struggling to staff its classrooms, lunchrooms, and buses, the Hillsborough County school district will hold a job fair Wednesday as it tries to fill hundreds of open positions.
Judge blocks Arizona laws banning school, city mask mandates
A judge on Monday struck down Republican-passed Arizona laws that block schools from requiring masks and restrict the power of local governments to impose COVID-19 requirements, the latest turn in a nationwide legal battle over pandemic rules.
Sarasota County Schools suspends temporary face mask policy
Beginning Monday, face masks will be optional in Sarasota County schools.
Florida blames bank after teachers' bonus checks bounce
About 50 educators were unable to cash $1,000 bonus checks they received from the state, Florida Department of Education officials acknowledged Friday. The state is working to correct the mistake.
COVID-19 cases higher in schools without mask policies, CDC studies show
The studies found that school districts without a universal masking policy in place were more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks.
USF hopes new esports lab brings students together
USF is building an Esports Living Lab, a physical space with 40 computers and an endless virtual space that should be complete next spring.
New state rule lets parents decide whether to quarantine kids after COVID-19 exposure
Pointing to a need to "minimize the amount of time students are removed from in-person learning," the Florida Department of Health issued a revised rule that gives parents more authority to decide whether children go to school after being exposed to COVID-19.
$200 million in refunds still unclaimed in Florida Prepaid College Program
More than 30,000 families have yet to claim over $200 million worth of refunds from Florida's Prepaid College Tuition Program, according to program officials.
Bartow teen arrested after school officials warn against TikTok ‘bathroom challenge’
Police in Bartow say they have arrested a 15-year-old who vandalized a school bathroom while participating in a so-called TikTok challenge.
Fortune 500 company coming to Florida Polytechnic University expected to have benefits beyond the school
International Flavors and Fragrances just agreed to set up an operation at Florida Polytechnic University, which will benefit students and staff and may act as a catalyst to attract other companies.
Father files $1M lawsuit after Michigan teacher cuts girl’s hair without permission
The father of a 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut by a teacher without her parents’ permission has filed a $1 million lawsuit.