education

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and anti-mask parent activists want face coverings to be optional in schools. A top pediatrician in South Florida says that means kids will "infect each other."

Florida students’ scores on standardized tests dipped in 2021, with the sharpest decline in math scores, according to data published Thursday by the state Department of Education. The results also showed lower scores in language arts, science and social studies across all grade levels that were given the assessments.

The Broward County school board is defying Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis by requiring masks, triggering yet another battle between local elected officials and state leaders over COVID-19 policy.

Last year it was all about chairs and headphones. This year it's time for T-shirts and sneakers — and more laptops. Back-to-school shopping in the U.S. is expected to top $37 billion.

Parents across the country are weighing whether to send their children to in-person school this fall. Some districts are getting creative in an effort to win them back.

It's too soon to say if schools will see a surge, but they do know that kindergartners are entering their first year of school with a wide range of experience.

A local student is a finalist in an international braille literacy competition. The Braille Challenge encourages blind and visually impaired kids to go to college, develop job skills and socialize.

Vickie Cartwright plans to take over as Broward schools superintendent Aug. 2 with an expected salary of $275,000.

Vickie Cartwright, a longtime Orange County administrator and recent superintendent in Wisconsin, was selected Thursday as the interim superintendent for Broward schools.

Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down Thursday on his opposition to mask mandates for public-school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he would call for a special legislative session if the federal government moves toward requiring masks in schools.

School board members voted unanimously to have Mike Burke, the district's chief financial officer, become the interim superintendent. They also decided against a mask mandate in schools — after hours of public comment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance for schools on Monday, recommending universal masking for students over the age of 2.