Letters to the Editor

Dismal record

 

The Jan. 11 article, Florida schools sixth in Education Week rankings, is only the most recent article in which a politician, this time Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, claimed bragging rights for failing our students. Despite two constitutional amendments, the Legislature continues to flout efforts to provide students with a quality public education and the flawed rankings that place Florida near the top are routinely used as evidence that the state is doing a great job, enables their behavior.

Education Week’s equally weighing of the ranking indicators renders the composite invalid because some are clearly more important, others are matters of opinion, and the student achievement rankings are inflated. Florida ranks C- in achievement and D+ in school finance, and an F on the Legislature’s intent to deliver on its promises.

Steven M. Urdegar, Plantation

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