TAMPA, Fla. (WLFA) — A Tampa boutique created for people experiencing homelessness is drawing attention across Tampa Bay after a video showing shoppers inside received more than 80,000 views and 1,600 comments.

Many of those comments came from people asking the same question: How can they help?

TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers moved to protect schools, local officials and public services from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax plan on Monday, dramatically undercutting his proposal days after it was announced.

Just a few years ago, America’s public schools were rushing to get every child a laptop. Los Angeles middle school teacher Anna Soffer remembers it well: “The idea was that technology is the future, so we need to put tech in every child’s hands.”

Now, the conversation has flipped. After pouring billions of dollars into laptops, tablets and learning apps, many schools are facing a digital reckoning. Classrooms have become saturated with screens, and a growing number of parents, teachers and school districts are saying it is time to scale back.

The big story: Homeschooling continues to grow across Florida as families seek more flexibility for their children.

State records indicate that the number of students enrolled in the model has grown to nearly 153,000, up about 6.6% since 2020. Another nearly 60,000 get Personalized Education Program vouchers for homeschooling.

Many families who made that option indicate in surveys that they worry about safety at public schools, with other leading factors including a desire for moral instruction and wanting to better emphasize family life.

TAMPA, Fla. — In the heart of the University Area, Mort Elementary, a Community Partnership School, is celebrating a milestone three decades in the making: its first-ever “B” grade from the state.

The achievement comes after an especially difficult year marked by the devastating effects of Hurricane Milton, which left many families in the neighborhood struggling to recover.

TAMPA, Fla. — A former Mort Elementary student is giving back to the school where her educational journey started, and taking time to thank the educators who made her school experience a success.

TAMPA, Fla. — Each year, Florida education officials grade schools throughout the state to help measure their performance and understand how well they're serving students.

Schools receive a grade of A, B, C, D or F based on up to 12 components, according to the Florida Department of Education.

School is out for the year and Summer school is right around the corner for most districts in Florida. Hillsborough schools Summer program calendar begins June 4 and runs through July 24.