Trump-related rhetoric: A Wesley Chapel High School teacher is placed on leave after approaching a small group of black students in a hallway, asking them what they were doing and then telling them "Don't make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa." John Sousa, who is also the golf coach, reportedly apologized to one of the students' parents. Many similar incidents are being reported in schools across the country, according to the website The 74. Tampa Bay Times.

Students protest Trump: About 25 students from Palmetto High School hold a peaceful protest against the election of Donald Trump as president. The chanting and sign-waving occurred during a break between classes. Miami Herald.

Election-related incidents: A student carrying a Donald Trump sign at Bayside High School is attacked and beaten by another student Wednesday. The 17-year-old attacker is arrested and charged with felony battery and more. Florida Today. Racist graffiti invoking the name of President-elect Donald Trump is painted on a bathroom wall at Oviedo High School. Orlando Sentinel. An Arnold High School teacher hangs an American flag upside down after the election, which is typically a signal that someone is in danger or distress. It was righted after a parent complained. Panama City News Herald.

Learning system concerns: Some parents and teachers say a computer learning system now being used in the Palm Beach County School District is adding to testing overload for students. The program, i-Ready, diagnoses students' problems with math and ready and gives them personalized lessons that help them catch up, but it also includes frequent testing. The program is used in 40 of Florida's 67 school districts. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)

Open enrollment rules: Open enrollment for students in Palm Beach County will be an option only when a school is 10 percent under capacity, the school board decides. A state law going into effect next year allows students to move to any public school that has room for them, but allows each district to set its own rules. Sun-Sentinel.

Alternate test option: The Florida Department of Education approves Istation as an option to the Florida Standards Assessments tests for third-grade promotion. There are now seven options for students, including well-known tests such as the SAT-10 and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Gradebook.

Legislative priorities: Incoming state House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, says he wants the Legislature to expand school choice, deregulate the state's highest-performing public schools and provide more money to schools that have extended hours. redefinED.

Danger in Duval: Duval County's schools are the most dangerous in the state, according to Florida Department of Education statistics. In the 2014-2015 school year, Duval recorded 11,537 incidents of crime, violence and disruptive behavior. Miami-Dade County was next with 8,854. WJXT.

Schools and politics: A Boca Raton High School senior wearing a "Hillary for Prison 2016" T-shirt says she was thrown out of class and threatened with suspension because her shirt was causing a classroom disruption. WPTV. (more…)

LGBT policies: The Brevard County School Board approves a non-discrimination policy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff and students. The debate took six hours and the vote was 3-2 on the controversial measure, which would also ban discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Florida Today. The Hillsborough County School District is planning a universal bathroom in every school in order to accommodate transgender students and others who don't wish to use communal bathrooms. Administrators also undergo training for sensitivity. Tampa Bay Times. WFLA. WTSP. 

Charter schools: University Preparatory Academy becomes the fifth charter school to close in Pinellas County this year. The school's governing board was expected to present the district with a new operating plan, but instead announced it would close. Pinellas officials will try to keep the school open as a district school. Tampa Bay Times. The Pasco County School District is recommending to the school board that the Athenian Academy of Pasco be given a five-year contract extension. The charter school has clashed with the district in the past, but the school has no financial issues and received a passing grade from the state (a D). Gradebook.

School uniforms: The Pasco County School Board tentatively approves dress codes for Ridgewood High School and Hudson Elementary School. At Ridgewood, students would wear collared polo shirts and khaki, blue or black pants. Hudson's students would wear red or blue polo shirts and khaki or blue pants, shorts or skirts. Gradebook.

Educational politics: While Florida's education policies have been designed largely by the Republicans who dominate the state Legislature, there are several differences between them and the policies in the Republican Party's national platform. Politico Florida. (more…)