With a D- in student achievement, an F in funding, Florida makes Top 10 in nation's schools.

[madfloridian]

That really doesn't say much for our ability to judge our school system.

There has been a big propaganda spin the last few days about how Florida jumped back up into the Top Ten in Education Week's ranking. Yet Florida received a D and F in two of the most important areas.

FLORIDA’S REPORT CARD

Florida’s B- grade from Education Week was based on a variety of subjects, each of which received its own grade. Here’s how Florida fared in some of them:

Early-childhood education: A

School Spending: F

Standards, Assessments & Accountability: A

Status of K-12 Achievement: D-

College readiness: B-

Accountability in the quality of teachers: A

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/10/v-fullstory/3175937/florida-schools-make-top-10.html#storylink=cpy

There's more.

The Early Childhood education which got an A of course includes Pre-K. In Florida Pre-K has been turned into a voucher program which gives public money to private religious schools which are not regulated by the state.

Does the Florida Department of Education license private schools?

No. The Department of Education does not have jurisdiction over private schools. Legislative intent not to regulate, control, approve, or accredit private educational institutions, churches, their ministries, religious instruction, freedoms, or rites, is explicit. The owners of private elementary and secondary schools in Florida are solely responsible for all aspects of their educational programs.

Do private schools have to be accredited?

No. In Florida, private schools are not accredited by the state. Additionally, the Florida Department of Education does not officially recognize any of the various agencies that accredit private schools. Contact the private schools and accrediting agencies to determine the accreditation status.

Do private schools have to hire certified teachers?

No. The owners of private elementary and secondary schools in Florida are solely responsible for establishing duties, qualifications, and salaries of faculty and staff.

http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/private_schools/faqs.asp

The A received in teacher accountability refers the state being on board with merit pay for teachers based on student test scores.

This kind of grading of schools is similar to that of Michelle Rhee, who gave the highest scores to Florida and Louisiana and gave Ds and Fs to some of the best schools in the nation academically.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022151328">Michelle Rhee's group gave D and F grades to most states in this country for their school policies.

The media went right along with her little game, loudly proclaiming the scores and making them seem valid.

And not a single political leader spoke up to tell the nation that Michelle Rhee had no authority to grade the schools in this country.

The Top Ten score for Florida is apparently about how well the state toes the line of the "education reformers".

Crossposted at DU3

[Enthusiast]

1. "The media went right along with her little game"

Th media has become a tool of the Fascists. You have to drag them kicking and screaming to get a correction. Even then, it is done with reservations.

[formercia]

2. It just shows tha Americans may have been dumbed-down already.

All of this 'Education Reform' is going to destroy the US by making us unable to compete in the Marketplace. We will just be a Nation of Consumers and Service Workers.

The Rich have always complained about not being able to find Good Help. I hope they like the results of their Social Engineering experiment.