Florida Education Commissioner Highlights 2025 Achievements and Goals

December 30, 2025

FDOE Press Office

850-245-0413

Florida’s Educational Successes in 2025: A Year in Review

Tallahassee, Fla., December 30, 2025 – Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and the Florida Department of Education have commemorated the significant achievements of 2025. With Kamoutsas taking the helm this year, the department has fortified its dedication to providing every student with premier educational opportunities.

“All students deserve the best education possible. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida remains the most student-centered state in the nation,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “I am proud of the many accomplishments made this year and look forward to continuing this important work in 2026.”

Florida’s Dominance in Education Rankings

The Heritage Foundation awarded Florida the #1 spot in Education Freedom for the fourth year running, excelling in categories such as Education Choice, Civic Education, Academic Transparency, and Teacher Freedom.

Florida topped Lightcast’s 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard, marking the third consecutive year. The state led in overall job growth and competitive effect, while ranking second in skilled job growth.

The Center for Education Reform crowned Florida #1 on the Parent Power Index, highlighting its success in Transformational Learning, Charter Schools, and Choice Programs.

Florida maintained its #1 position in the ALEC Index of State Education Freedom, excelling in Charter Schools and Virtual Schooling.

The EdChoice Friedman Index confirmed Florida’s prominence in school choice programs and the use of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).

Since 2017, U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Florida #1 for higher education, citing top 2-Year College Graduation Rates and the lowest tuition and fees.

Florida achieved a milestone with seven institutions in the top 100 public universities nationwide, also ranking high for best public colleges for veterans.

Florida was the first to endorse The Phoenix Declaration, enhancing its educational vision.

Advancements in School Safety

The 2025-26 budget allocated $550 million for safety initiatives, funding Safe Schools Activities, Mental Health Assistance, Panic Alarms, and more.

The inaugural National Summit on School Safety was hosted, drawing leaders from 20 states to discuss Florida’s leading safety strategies.

A statewide threat management portal was launched to aid schools in identifying and addressing potential threats.

Collaborative efforts with college leaders focused on enhancing campus safety through various measures.

The Guardian Program, ensuring trained personnel in schools, is set for expansion to higher education institutions under Governor DeSantis’ proposal.

Investments in Educators

The 2025-26 budget dedicated $1.36 billion to teacher salary hikes, with plans for an additional $200 million in the following year.

Over $1 million was granted to the Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship program, boosting the teacher supply pipeline.

Teacher vacancies saw a notable 17.7% reduction compared to the previous year.

Expanding School Choice

In 2025, Florida set new records for scholarship participation, with more than 500,000 scholarships awarded and 404,000 students in charter schools.

The Schools of Hope initiative was expanded to include co-locating charter schools with low-performing institutions.

Enhancing Workforce Education

The Florida College System (FCS) reaffirmed its value with high graduation rates and low student debt. In 2024-25, dual enrollment grew 15%, saving families over $95 million.

CTE enrollments surged, with a 30% increase since Governor DeSantis’ tenure began, and 80,972 rapid credentials were awarded in 2024-25.

The Xello platform expanded, offering career planning resources to over 2.4 million students.

The 2025-26 budget allocated $726.9 million to workforce education, including $60 million for CTE programs and $130 million for nursing education.

Accountability and Support Initiatives

Florida’s general education courses were updated to ensure quality foundational learning for all students.

Efforts to protect parental rights and ensure professional conduct among educators were emphasized.

A lawsuit against publishers aims to secure fair textbook pricing, benefiting schools and taxpayers.

Initiatives to hold teacher unions accountable are in place to ensure timely pay increases and quality teaching in challenging schools.

Strengthening Student Support

Over 450 schools earned the Purple Star Schools of Distinction designation, supporting military-connected students and families.

New History of Communism standards were approved to enhance social studies education.

Leading Civics and Debate Education

The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative saw growth, with over 400 teams now participating statewide.

A new competition, announced by Governor DeSantis, offers a $50,000 prize to highlight the importance of debate.