Latest reporting from the Education desk.
Suncoast Community Health Centers' Smile for Every Mile program uses two mobile dental coaches and a portable unit to visit 38 Title I schools, according to an Oct. 30 report by 83 Degrees Media. The Florida Department of Health confirms the partnership and says fees may apply on a sliding scale.
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Education
Hillsborough County residents pressed for spending transparency at the first town hall on the half-penny sales tax renewal, held Sept. 22 at Newsome High School, while the district still has not released project-level data for Lennard High or East Bay High.
Education
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation announced a $327,000 gift to the Hillsborough Education Foundation on Sept. 21, funding free classroom supplies, early literacy coaching at 31 Title I schools, and student mentoring programs that serve schools across the county, including Lennard and East Bay high schools.
Education
Hillsborough County Public Schools is covering the cost of one curriculum-aligned field trip for every PreK through eighth grade student this school year, funded by the voter-approved millage referendum.
Education
Hillsborough College is raising $5 million through its Harvesting the Future Campaign to build the Pop and Glenn Dickman Family Workforce Education Building at its SouthShore Campus in Ruskin, with an Oct. 23 gala and a dollar-for-dollar donation match up to $500,000.
Education
Hillsborough County Public Schools is hosting two free District College Fair Nights on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 where juniors and seniors can meet representatives from more than 50 colleges, universities and technical schools.
Education
PCAT Literacy Ministries works with 90 students at Ruskin Elementary, typically advancing them at least two reading levels, as countywide third-grade reading scores climb.
Education
Hillsborough County Schools is offering free full-day VPK for the first time, funded by the 2024 voter-approved millage referendum, with nearly 2,000 seats available districtwide for 4-year-olds.
Education
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has proposed removing chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines from school-entry requirements statewide, with a public comment window open through Sept. 14 that gives Hillsborough County parents a direct say.
Education
Hillsborough County Public Schools earned its first A district grade since 2014 as students at Lennard High, East Bay High and Apollo Beach K-8 returned to class Monday, Aug. 10, with 74 schools rated A, teacher vacancies cut by two-thirds, and screen-based programs eliminated for K-2 students.
Education
Four Hillsborough County charter schools closed immediately after surrendering their contracts, displacing 292 students less than a week before the Monday, Aug. 10 start of school, with board members calling for greater accountability and state-level safeguards.
Education
A music-based literacy program active in Hillsborough County schools helps struggling readers gain one to two grade levels in 12 weeks, offering qualifying Apollo Beach and Ruskin families free access as the 2026-27 school year begins Monday, Aug. 10.
Education
Hillsborough County's AP exam pass rate hit a record 71% in 2026, up 18 points since 2022, while K-2 students at Apollo Beach K-8 will lose three daily screen-based programs in favor of printed books and hands-on learning when school starts Monday, Aug. 10.
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