Florida students are returning to school this week under several new state laws, with 38 of 67 districts starting classes August 10, 2026, the earliest date allowed.
One headline change: Senate Bill 182 now requires all third, fourth, and fifth graders to learn cursive writing and prove they can do it by the end of fifth grade. Gone are the years when digital typing alone ruled. Alongside this, the law introduces a mentorship program placing retired teachers in low-rated schools. These mentors will help guide new or struggling teachers and can earn up to $3,000 for their work.
Other changes greet everyone on campus. Schools must display seizure-response posters so staff and students know what to do in an emergency. Not every district opened today; places like Orange and Polk counties will begin later this week.
July 1 marked a flurry of new laws, touching everything from law enforcement to data centers, and plenty that impact children and schools. Here’s a quick look at five new rules shaping the school year:
HB 1279 focuses on teachers and student health. It lets schools offer salary incentives to teachers willing to work in “D” or “F” rated schools, aiming to boost achievement where it’s needed most. The bill also expands bonus eligibility for teachers delivering Florida Advanced Courses; now, they’re eligible just like AP and IB teachers. On the health front, it authorizes schools to buy and maintain FDA-approved epinephrine devices for students with severe allergies, covering more options than just auto-injectors.
To see more of the provisions included in this bill, go here.
HB 851 increases autism support. Every Florida school district now must give teachers and administrators at least one professional development session focused on autism, designed with input from their area Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. These sessions cover best practices, from academics to behavior support, communication, and making classrooms inclusive.
SB 182, beyond bringing back cursive, adds a dash of history. Schools must hang portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln somewhere prominent. This bill also sets up a Teacher Training and Mentoring Program within the Department of Education to pair veteran mentors with teachers new to the classroom, or those struggling in areas like classroom management. Mentors receive stipends, and the law solidifies several instructional changes for public and private schools alike.
For more on other provisions in the bill, go here.
HB 1201 makes epilepsy awareness visible. Every school must post clear guidelines for what to do if someone has a seizure, and it updates individual seizure action plans for students who need them.
Finally, SB 124 changes how Florida Virtual School handles admissions. FLVS used to give preference to certain students, like homeschoolers, military kids, or those trying to graduate early. Now, everyone has equal access, reflecting that the school’s ready to serve more students.
The goal is of this change, the bill states, is to reflect the FLVS’s capacity to serve all students.
These laws shape a new landscape for students and teachers as they kick off the school year, covering everything from daily health and safety to academic requirements and extra support for those who need it most.
