NAACP Files Against Fla. Education Dept.

[DoYouEverWonder]

Associated Press

August 28, 2003, 1:16 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The NAACP filed a federal complaint against Florida's education department Thursday, seeking to stop use of statewide assessment tests until the achievement gap between minority and white students is eliminated.

The complaint to the federal Office of Civil Rights, released by the group Thursday, also seeks to achieve racial balance in schools among students and teachers and alleges that Florida has intentionally discriminated against black students.

Florida's minority students have scored well below white students in standardized tests, including the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, which is used to determine whether students are held back a grade and whether seniors graduate.

<snip>

The NAACP claims that Florida is violating its constitutional duty to provide a quality education to all students, saying schools that are mostly minority are not receiving the same resources and have inferior facilities.


Has a parent of a school aged child who lives in Florida, I can attest to the fact that Florida is failing a lot of students.

The other issue this suit doesn't address are the 1000's of minority students who are more likely to be classified as ESE (Exceptional Student Eductation). Of course, there are many students who do have special needs but the ESE program is being overused in order to get the undesirables out of the mainstream. Then Jeb look like he's seeing big increases in FCAT scores. The ESE students are then labeled and are at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives. They don't even get the same HS diploma as a regular student. Try getting into a good college with an ESE diploma.

[jiacinto]

1. I've only been in Florida for three days now

and I feel like I am in a totally different place!

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Welcome to the original Banana Republic

At least we have great weather and beautiful beaches. The fishing iss not too bad either. Just hope you don't have any school aged kids, unless you can afford private school.

[marshmellow]

3. Statewide wedgement

Statewide assessment tests are more bogus than black box voting machines for the purpose of wedging votes from parents with children in underfunded schools. Purposely underfunded nowdays.

The minority population in florida voted 80% for democrats. But with some test results that prove your school is horrible, the only way out is voucher. Vouchers offered by republicans. Neat trick.

This is a thinktank driven wedge issue to capture minority votes that can not be obtained through standard "take from the poor and give to the rich" programs promoted by republicans.

[toopers]

7. Vouchers maybe the answer

What is the problem with a voucher system? It is obvious that the current public school system is failing miserably, and throwing more money at this system is not going to repair it.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Neither will bankrupting the system

Everyone in America still deserves access to free and high quality education.

Pulling the money out and handing it to private schools with no accountablity will not guarantee that anyone will be better educated.

Besides, Florida is having a lot of success with Charter Schools. They are very, very popular in my area and at least half of them are focusing on disadvantaged students.

[toopers]

9. No accountability

I believe the statewide test is the accountability.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. One flawed test

is no way to hold an entire education system accountable. Especially, when Jeb bends the rules every other week, when it suits his political needs.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. The public system is failing because it is not being funded properly,

and the voucher system increases its inefficiency by making the situation worse. In addition, it will be more expensive because now we'll have to hold private schools accountable and that will take additional dollars to monitor.

Republicans live in a Bizzarro world. It's not improvement of the public schools that they really want. In the end, they want to destroy them and privatize them. Therefore, they are not innocent bystanders in this process.

[toopers]

12. This is about accountability . . .

not political parties. Where I live the public schools spend over $13K per student and none of the schools are tops in the state. The area private schools spend a quarter of that amount per student and provide a much better education. Obviously, it is not about the money. Why is this the case? Because if a parent is not happy with the education at a private school, the parent can take action. In public schools, the parent and child become labeled as trouble makers, and the teachers unions protect the poor performing teachers and schools. If a private school or private school teacher performs poorly, the school might have to shut down due to lack of support, or the teacher could lose his/her job. This type of thing never happens in public schools.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Your argument overlooks so many important factors:

The biggest difference today between private school attendees and those from public school are income level of the parents. Private schools may currently appear to be doing a better job because you're dealing with a student who comes from a family in a higher income bracket; which means, the child has more educational experiences such as trips to Europe, as well as one who comes to school with a full stomach. Those are not minor differences, but to ignore them as factors shows an inherent prejudice in your argument.

And btw, both of my kids have been going to public schools, and the schools don't tolerate ineffective teachers. Those teachers get booted out.

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. Then test the teachers

Why is the whole enchilada put on the kids backs. Some schools go over board getting their kids ready for the FCAT, a lot of these kids are basket cases as a result and they are not coming out with a better education.

Besides, one measurement does not tell you about a whole school. There are a lot of factors to consider when you try to decide whether or not a school is good or bad.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Wow.

Where is the Florida chapter of the NAACP located? Are there various offices located statewide?

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Yes

http://www.naacp.org/locally/contact45.shtml#florida

Here's a list with links.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Thank you!

Thank you, Thank you!