2005: Florida's public school graduation rate 50th in US. Thanks, Jeb!

[seafan]

Jeb fails my `FGAT'

By Stephen Goldstein
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

October 11, 2006

Every Floridian "owes the Pottery Barn": Republicans have broken our schools, but the rest of us have got to pay their bill. The misguided education policies of Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, and their supporters have academically crippled about 5 million public school students -- and counting. Many have dropped out and will live off tax dollars. Others may graduate but will be permanently paid a pittance. Florida will wind up with a bevy of busboys, but a thimbleful of teachers.

Since he was sworn in as governor eight years ago, Jeb Bush has been out to prove that he alone knows what's best for public education. Then, year after year, having the luxury of a Republican-dominated, compliant Legislature, he's enjoyed a virtual free hand to implement sweeping measures to transform our schools -- in his image, as he's seen fit. He claimed to have all the answers for student failure -- FCATs, vouchers and charter schools. He wouldn't listen to others.

But after nearly a decade of diddling, the grades are in and Jeb has flunked the FGAT (my Florida Governor's Assessment Test). Based upon a mountain of federal stats, the just-released Morgan Quitno Education State Rankings 2006-2007 proves, without a doubt, that he and Republicans promised us top-notch schools, but delivered bottom of the barrel.

snip

By significant, national academic measures, Florida students don't make the grade. In 2005, the state's public high school graduation rate was 50th in the nation -- worse than in 2003, when it was 47th. Florida students underperformed on the ACT, which measures general educational development and the ability to complete college work. In 2006, the state average composite ACT score was 42nd in the nation; average math score, 37th; average ACT reading score, 39th. In 2006, Florida high school students' average scores on the SAT's were 49th nationally in math, 40th in critical reading, and 48th in writing.

By national funding standards, Florida's investment in public elementary and secondary schools adds up to down. In 2006, the average salary of Florida public school teachers sank to 31st in the nation -- down from 29th in 2004. In 2005, we were 40th in estimated per capita public school revenue, 32nd in per pupil revenue, 47th in per capita current expenditures, 40th in per pupil expenditures. Between 2000 and 2004, adjusted for inflation, Florida schools were 35th in percent change in current expenditures.

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We must elect Jim Davis in 3 weeks.

The Crist alternative will accelerate Jeb Bush's legacy of failure, Florida's educational death spiral.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I didn't think that "No Child Left Behind" meant that no student

would advance . . .

[AndyA]

2. With Jeb Bush at the helm, what did you expect?

Lowered expectations is the name of the game. Jeb is a Bush, after all. They really don't do anything to help others, they just help themselves and their rich friends.

[napi21]

3. Yes, Fl. is the worst, but it's bad all over the South!

That was a HUGH campaign issue during the campaigns here in Ga. too! I know SC, Al, MS have always ben bad, and I doubt they've inproved under Shrub's NCLB!

[bluestateguy]

4. Lower than Texas and Mississippi?

Wow. That's really something. Did he ever fix the child protective services? I guess election fixing was always the top priority of his administration. Florida will be Jeb-free in just a few months.

[wakeme2008]

5. BUT BUT BUT Jebbie is alway's tell us how GREAT our schools

are under his leadership..... :grr:

[seafan]

9. October 17: 'Bush Claims Education Gains'

Yes, Jeb is still whistling past the graveyard...


Bush Claims Education Gains

By MITCH STACY
The Associated Press

October 17, 2006

NAPLES -- Improved student achievement is the key to a successful economic future, Gov. Jeb Bush told a gathering of newspaper publishers Monday.

Bush told members of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association that his programs, including evaluating students with standardized tests and grading schools, have resulted in improved performance that has been documented.

The two-term Republican governor has been speaking about his accomplishments as he prepares to leave office in January because of term limits.

"For Florida to succeed, we need to be constantly challenging our education system, and our community colleges and universities, to make sure we have a well-educated, motivated work force that can take on the challenges of the future," Bush told about the crowd of around 165 newspaper owners and publishers from throughout the Southeast.

One of the major criticisms of Bush's education policies is that standardized tests create a pressured environment for teachers who may end up "teaching to the test." Bush called that "mythology" and said that the naysayers are "people who don't like reform."

snip

In response to a question, Bush said he still didn't know what he will do when he leaves office, but "I'm pretty darned excited about it." He said he'll take some time off and "try to be a little more normal."

This guy will not adjust well to private life. Bet on it.

The past 8 years have been excruciatingly painful for Floridians.

[Botany]

6. Lower than Mississippi?

Nice job Jeb .... So how much did Neil Bush make in the state
selling his useless crap?

Famous Family of Fuck Ups = the bush boys.

[rodeodance]

7. gives new meaning to kids left behind.

[seafan]

8. Number of students continues to drop as families leave Palm Beach Co.

The ramifications of Jeb's educational legacy are devastating our state.


Number of students continues to drop as families leave Palm Beach County

By Marc Freeman
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Education Writer
Posted October 17 2006

Nearly 600 students left the school district in the past six weeks, contributing to a $15 million budget shortfall and uncertainty about when enrollment will pick up, officials reported Monday.
"You're probably going to see some kind of a decline again," said demographer Art Wittman, citing high housing costs as the main reason behind the exodus of families with school-age children.

There were 170,015 students counted on Friday, a drop of 3,221 students, or 1.9 percent, from a year ago. Administrators got their first indication of a major enrollment drop on Sept. 1, when they counted 170,582 students -- the first yearly decrease since 1971.
Now they know to expect even less money from the state to run schools this year, leading to possible program and hiring cuts. School districts derive most of their operating dollars based on enrollment.

"This drives our funding," said Budget Director Michael Burke, who had depended on 4,000 to 5,000 additional new students each year to bring in new state funds.

snip

Among the housing factors that caused the greater impact: rising single-family home prices since 2004, conversion of more than 12,000 apartments to condominiums and soaring property insurance premiums.

"Families looking to relocate from the North or other regions of the United States may not choose Palm Beach County due to these factors," Wittman said.

snip

Families flee Florida even as housing prices cool

By Chad Terhune and Rafael Gerena-Morales, The Wall Street Journal
September 27, 2006

In Florida, school principals, real-estate developers and economic-development officials are scrambling to solve a troubling mystery: Where did the kids go?

Across a state long plagued by shortages of teachers and classrooms, school-enrollment figures show declines or no growth this fall. The Palm Beach County public-school system in south Florida saw its first enrollment drop since 1971 -- a 1.9 percent decline to 170,582 students. Broward County, surrounding Fort Lauderdale, lost 3.1 percent of its students. Growth in Orlando and Tampa has slowed to roughly half its previous rate. Overall, the number of students in Florida public schools now is expected to grow by just 30,000 students to 2.67 million, well below recent annual increases of about 65,000.

snip

Jeb spends $Billions$ to lure biotech companies to Florida, but starves our children's education at every opportunity.

Smaller class sizes? Too expensive, Jeb says.

Pay our teachers a living wage? Might empower them to form unions and vote against Our Party!

Public schools starving for funds? More private school vouchers, Jeb says.

Reassess the FCAT?? FCAT GOOD. YOU PEOPLE BAD, Jeb says.

46 more days.