When it comes to education, Florida faces a paradox: Its public schools are highly rated, but its students register just average scores and high suspension rates. The Urban Institute in a recent report finds that, when adjusted for demographics, Florida ranked in the top ten states for student performance in math and reading performance, although its unadjusted scores were slightly below average. Strong inputs, middling outcomes. What gives? The state of Florida’s families may help explain the paradox. Only 66 percent of Florida children live in married-parent homes; the state ranks 37th in that metric.
Poverty Measures Don’t Accurately Measure Poverty
Poverty measurement guidelines are frequently used as a tool to determine who qualifies for government benefits and other assistance. The problem is that these guidelines do not accurately reflect a family’s financial situation or whether or not a family is...
