Education Reform in Florida

Education Reform in Florida
Author: Kathryn M. Borman
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2012-02-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0791480658
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In Education Reform in Florida, sociologists and historians evaluate Governor Jeb Bush's nation-leading school reform policies since 1999. They examine the startlingly broad range of education policy changes enacted in Florida during Bush's first term, including moves toward privatization with a voucher system, more government control of public education institutions with centralized accountability mechanisms, and a "superboard" for all public education. The contributors arrive at a mixed conclusion regarding Bush's first-term education policies: while he deserves credit for holding students to higher standards, his policies have, unfortunately, pushed for equality in a very narrow way. The contributors remain skeptical about seeing significant and sweeping improvement in how well Florida schools work for all students.

Misguided Education Reform

Misguided Education Reform
Author: Nancy E. Bailey
Publisher: R&L Education
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2013-07-29
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1475803583
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Misguided Education Reform: Debating the Impact on Students argues for reforms that will help, not hurt, America’s public school students. Early childhood education, testing, reading, special education, discipline, loss of the arts, and school facilities, are all areas experiencing reform in the wrong direction. This book says “no” to the reforms that fail, and challenges Americans to address the real student needs that will fix public schools and make America strong.

How "No Child Left Behind" Threatens Florida's Successful Education Reforms. Backgrounder

How
Author: Matthew Ladner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 18
Release: 2009
Genre:
ISBN:
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This paper reviews nationwide education reforms under No Child Left Behind and state reforms in Florida--comparing federal and state results. The paper examines the danger that federal regulations and incentives pose to testing and accountability systems in Florida and every other state. The limits of No Child Left Behind and the promise of Florida's success suggest that federal policies that give states greater authority to direct education reform hold promise for improving education when states and citizens commit to effective reforms. The paper states that as policymakers review No Child Left Behind, Congress and the Obama Administration should recognize three important lessons: (1) No Child Left Behind has failed to deliver meaningful improvement in student learning; (2) Florida's experience demonstrates the opportunity for state-directed education reform; and (3) NCLB's accountability regulations threaten to undermine state accountability reforms. Given these lessons, Members of Congress and state policymakers should re-evaluate federal and state governments' current approach to improving public education. At the federal level, Congress and the incoming Administration should limit federal policymaking authority and transfer greater power back to the state and local levels--and they should end perverse incentives for states to weaken state standards. State policymakers should learn from Florida's success and implement systemic education reform to hold schools and students accountable for results, expand parental choice, and improve school and teacher effectiveness. Appended to this document is: "Safe Harbor Schools in Florida," showing Florida School Districts Making Safe Harbor, by Year, Based Upon Overall Math and Reading Results Alone, 2003-2008. (Contains an executive summary and 27 notes.).

Race to the Top. Florida. State-Reported APR

Race to the Top. Florida. State-Reported APR
Author: Department of Education (ED)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 109
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:
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This paper describes Florida's progress in implementing a comprehensive and coherent approach to education reform from the time of application through June 30, 2011. In particular, it highlights key accomplishments over the reporting period in the four reform areas: standards and assessments, data systems to support instruction, great teachers and leaders, and turning around lowest-achieving schools. Florida has relied on its strong foundation of education reform and results coupled with the new resources of Race to the Top to further its reform efforts. The state has accomplished a great deal during Year 1 of the grant, not only in initiating state and LEA (local education agency) grant projects, but in furthering related state reforms through embracing Race to the Top as the new way of work in Florida. (Contains 1 table.) [For the parent report, "Race to the Top Annual Performance Report," see ED529267. For the state summary report, "Race to the Top. Florida Report. Year 1: School Year 2010-2011. [State-Specific Summary Report]," see ED529312.].

The Evidence on the "Florida Formula" for Education Reform. Policy Brief

The Evidence on the
Author: Matthew Di Carlo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 13
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:
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During the late 1990s and 2000s, the State of Florida enacted a set of education reforms spearheaded by Governor Jeb Bush. These policies, which emphasize test-based accountability, competition, and choice, have since become known as the "Florida Formula for education success," or, simply, the "Florida Formula." In recent years, there has been a coordinated, aggressive effort to advocate for its implementation in other states. The "Formula" is a multifaceted package that might be summarized as a set of concepts or goals, which are manifested in specific policy interventions. A brief summary of these components, along with the primary policies that embody them, is as follows: (1) Hold schools accountable--"A-F" school grading system, attached to rewards and consequences; (2) school choice--charter schools and different forms of private school choice programs; (3) high expectations--retention/remediation of low-scoring third graders, higher graduation standards; (4) funding for school and student success--tying funding to performance and more flexibility in how districts can spend money; and (5) quality educators--alternative teacher certification and new teacher evaluations. The purpose of this policy brief is to review the high quality evidence on these policies in a manner that is fair and useful to policy makers and the public.

Restructuring in Florida

Restructuring in Florida
Author: Lawrence Wenzel
Publisher:
Total Pages: 412
Release: 1992
Genre: Education
ISBN:
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Lessons for Louisiana from Florida's K-12 Education Revolution

Lessons for Louisiana from Florida's K-12 Education Revolution
Author: Matthew Ladner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:
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Louisiana has emerged as one of the most fascinating states in the nation for education reform. The state's creative response to rebuilding the New Orleans education system in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is now considered a potential model for reformers across the nation. Governor Bobby Jindal has carried the reforms further in pushing for "opportunity scholarship" vouchers in New Orleans, the grading of public schools A-F, and an effort to curtail social promotion of children needing additional reading intervention. More recently, Governor Jindal called for the adoption of one of the boldest parental choice measures ever: expanding the scholarship program statewide. Designed to help low- and middle-income families in underperforming public schools, this program would empower more parents to choose the best schools for their children. In considering this proposal, Louisiana policymakers would benefit from studying the policy success of a neighboring state. Florida got a big head start on Louisiana in enacting reform, and the Sunshine State's success proves that Louisiana can do better. Governor Jindal's 2012 choice initiative resembles a bolder version of one of Florida Governor Jeb Bush's signature reforms: the A+ Opportunity Scholarship Program. The figures to follow demonstrate that the Florida program helped in improving the academic performance of struggling Florida public schools. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exams will demonstrate the benefits of Florida's head start in adopting a comprehensive set of education reforms. In addition, evidence regarding the efficacy of parental choice programs around the nation will be provided. Louisiana has adopted some key elements of the Florida reform strategy as part of the Pelican State's overall K-12 reform effort. The adoption of one the nation's largest parental choice plans will only help spur further improvement for students in need of more effective learning environments. (Contains 5 figures and 22 endnotes.).

Reforms with Results

Reforms with Results
Author: Matthew Ladner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 24
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:
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Florida lawmakers began a comprehensive education reform effort in 1999 combining accountability, transparency, and parental choice with other far-reaching changes. In March 2010, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released new results showing just how successful Florida's reforms have been and how futile Oklahoma's efforts have proved. This study documents how the latest NAEP results strengthen the case for Florida-style reforms. In 2009, some groups of traditionally underperforming students from Florida--including that state's Hispanic students--widened their leads over the statewide average score for "all Oklahoma students." This report explains in some detail why Florida's reforms, while benefiting all students, have been especially beneficial to disadvantaged students. For example, Florida's method for grading schools looks not only at students' overall performance and overall gains, but also considers gains among the 25 percent of students with the lowest scores. Importantly, those 25 percent of students are counted in all three categories, providing a strong incentive for schools to help their lowest-performing pupils. This paper details the key components of Florida's K-12 education reform strategy and explains why the adoption of the Florida reforms in Oklahoma would aid all children, especially disadvantaged students. (Contains 8 figures and 17 notes.) [This report was released by the Foundation for Educational Choice, Oklahoma Business & Education Coalition, and Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.].