Florida Education Association

The state's largest teachers union specifically noted the budget failed to stem a teacher and staff shortage or the state’s low standing (50th in the nation) for average teacher pay. And failed to make a significant investment in mental health support and services for students.

In a statement released late Friday night, as the 60-day legislative session came to an end, the Florida Education Association said the Legislature and governor’s actions have led to a decline in SAT scores and reading and math scores and a teacher and staff shortage.

A federal judge backed two public school unions in a legal battle over dues deductions. Educators say this is good news, but will continue watching for potential challenges to other parts of the sweeping union law.

One of the rules involves required online training for school librarians and other employees involved in selecting books for students; the other rule requires elementary schools to post online lists of reading materials.

The Florida Education Association's lawsuit says the Florida Department of Education went beyond the scope of HB 1467 in its training, which led some districts to cover shelves.

Florida’s new restrictions on discussions of race, diversity, and LGBTQ issues in classrooms have some teachers and school districts worried that partisan politics are seeping over into schools. Critics of those new policies say they’re contributing to a massive increase in teacher vacancies.

Andrew Spar, Florida Education Association president, said the latest series of Supreme Court rulings has already muddied separation of church and state.

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar says a "massive exodus" of teachers is contributing to the shortage.

The Florida Education Association held a virtual news conference on Friday, March 12, marking the one-year anniversary of the statewide closure of public schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida Education Association is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to prioritize teacher vaccinations as more students return to in-person learning in January.

The Florida Education Association and other plaintiffs asked an appeals court Monday to reconsider a decision that backed Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in a battle about reopening schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting that 1st District Court of Appeal Judges Lori Rowe and Timothy Osterhaus disqualify themselves from the closely watched legal fight over a July 6 state order requiring schools to reopen classrooms in August amid the COVID-19 pandemic.