Racially Distinct Florida Achievement Targets Spark Controversy

Racially Distinct Florida Achievement Targets Spark Controversy.

The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (10/20, Postal) reports that since the Florida Board of Education voted to adopt "reading and math goals for students that varied by race, among other categories," the state "has been embroiled in a debate about the message sent by its new race-based academic targets, which are lower for black and Hispanic students than for other children. ... The goals are meant to a be a midpoint on a path to getting all kids mastering key academics, and they would require a faster pace of improvement for struggling students to help them catch up. But that intent was likely lost in the 'resounding negative perception,' said Orange Superintendent Barbara Jenkins in an email."

 

Paper Praises Governor For Seeking Equal Standards.An editorial in the Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal (10/20) praises Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) for saying last week that "he will not tolerate any excuse for an achievement gap at public schools. Not race, not gender, not income level. Scott wants no such excuses from the State Board of Education." The piece explains that Scott's comments come in response to the State Board of Education's plan to implement different achievement targets for different racial and socio-economic groups under the state's NCLB flexibility.

 

More Commentary.In commentary for The Root (10/22, Toldson) , Dr. Ivory A. Toldson of Howard University writes about the "controversial and misguided proposals" in Florida and Virginia to "close the 'achievement gap' by setting different performance standards for black and white students. These demonstrate a dreadfully shortsighted assessment of race and achievement in the United States."