SUMMARY: Florida’s high school graduation rate rose to a record 89.7% in the 2023-24 school year, an increase of 1.7% from the previous high of 86.9% in 2018-19. The rate improved by 2.4% compared to the 2021-22 school year. Governor Ron DeSantis attributed this success to prioritizing education and empowering parents. Improvements were seen across various demographic groups, including a 2.1% increase for Black students and a significant 4.6% rise for English language learners. Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. emphasized this achievement as evidence of Florida’s commitment to a quality education tailored to student needs.

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SUMMARY: The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a law banning TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells it by January 19. Justices expressed concerns over national security, emphasizing TikTok’s ties to China and the potential risks of data misuse by the Chinese government. Although TikTok’s lawyer sought a pause on the ban, few justices seemed inclined to support this. ByteDance has refused to sell TikTok, while a consortium led by Frank McCourt has proposed acquiring its U.S. assets. If the ban remains, app stores will prohibit new downloads and updates, leaving existing users with a non-functional app over time.

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SUMMARY: As Joe Biden exits office, a new poll reveals Americans hold a bleak view of his presidency, with only about 25% considering him a “good” or “great” president, significantly lower than perceptions of Donald Trump and Barack Obama at similar points. Discontent is particularly pronounced among Black and Hispanic communities, traditionally Democratic voters, who feel Biden has not fulfilled promises or improved their circumstances. Many voters, especially younger individuals, view his presidency negatively, attributing issues such as rising costs and immigration challenges to Biden’s leadership. Overall, public sentiment reflects disappointment amid a backdrop of legislative achievements.

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