Criticism follows Florida’s race-based student achievement goals, By Laura Isensee and Michael Vasquez, October 13, 2012, Miami Herald: “When the state grades its teachers, there is no accounting for students’ race or economic status. But now when Florida sets academic performance goals, it will grade itself on a curve, with targets related to race and income. Last week, the state Board of Education approved a new six-year strategic plan with student-achievement goals that vary based upon race, income, disability and English proficiency. For example, Florida hopes to have 86 percent of white students at or above grade level in math, but for black students the goal is 74 percent. A torrent of criticism followed, with educators, elected officials and others saying the plan essentially lowers expectations for certain students…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty