Juking the Stats: Florida Style

According to the Editorial Projects in Education, Florida high schools had a graduating rate of 57.5 percent. EPiE determined Florida is well below the national average of 69.2 percent. Florida's State Department of Education rate was 71 percent. Florida counts GED graduates to pad the stats.

Education Commissioner Eric Smith didn't dispute the EPiE findings.

Smith said his department is making changes to the high school accountability program, which will take graduation rates and advanced coursework offerings into account. The state is also increasing support for struggling schools and using new reading assessments and education standards that will "ensure that students are learning what they need to know so they not only earn a diploma, but leave school fully prepared for college or a career."

Jeb Bush preached the FCAT test would improve schools. Bush himself was stumped by a student on a FCAT question. State Sen. Les Miller and Skip Campbell discovered the FCAT was being graded by unqualified temps from Kelly Services. Former Education Sec. Charlie Crist couldn't answer when the FACT is given. This lack of curiousity on education by policymakers explains Florida's poor graduation standards. That is why politicians keep "juking the stats."

The Wire showed the madness of teaching the test and passing it off as education reform.