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.
A Heart Full of Love . . . or Disdain?
What do you think when you see a person on the street or elsewhere who is wearing worn, outdated clothing and appears to be uneducated and poor? What we think about that person is a reflection of who we are, and, more importantly, it can affect the person we're...