Florida: Leading the Nation in Education

Florida: Leading the Nation in Education

  1. Florida’s fourth and eighth grade students with disabilities were ranked first in the nation in combined math and reading gains, according to the Nation’s Report Card.
  2. Florida ranks third in the nation in producing additional high school graduates between 2002-2009, according to the 2012 America’s Promise report, Building a Grad Nation.
  3. Florida’s low-income students ranked third in combined progress in fourth and eighth grade reading and math scores, according to the Nation’s Report Card.
  4. Florida’s low-income fourth graders are ranked fourth in the nation when it comes to reading on grade level or higher, according to the Nation’s Report Card.
  5. Florida’s fourth grade students scored above the international average on the PIRLS international literacy test that compares the reading achievement of U.S. fourth-graders with their peers in 52 education systems around the world.
  6. Florida’s Hispanic students have made great strides in closing the achievement gap in fourth grade reading and fourth and eighth grade math. As a combined average, Hispanic students have improved a grade level each year since 2003.
  7. Florida’s African-American students have closed the achievement gap with white students faster than the national average every year since 2003.
  8. Florida’s Hispanic students read as well or better than the average student in 21 states.
  9. Florida is fifth in the nation on standards, assessments and accountability, according to the 2012 Education Week report, Quality Counts. Florida has been a consistent leader in setting high expectations for students, teachers and schools.
  10. Florida is fourth in the nation on modernizing the teaching profession, according to the 2012 Education Week report, Quality Counts. Florida’s national success in this category is in part because of the state’s outcome-based teacher evaluation system, requirements for earning a teaching license and financial incentives for teachers extending beyond base salary.

Report Card Menu

Florida Formula for Student Achievement
2012 Legislative Agenda
Florida Education Report Card