Florida's Race-Based Achievement Goals Spark Controversy

The Miami Herald (10/13, Isensee, Vasquez) reports that Florida's assessments "grade on a curve, with targets related to race and income." The piece notes that the state BOE has "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." The piece notes that state Education Commissioner Pamela Stewart blamed the firestorm on an erroneous public belief that the state is abandoning some groups of students.