Achievement gap between Black, white students still plagues Florida schools
Achievement gap between Black, white students still plagues Florida schools Tampa Bay Times
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Efforts to Eliminate the Achievement Gap in Pinellas County Schools
The Big Story
The big story: Efforts to eliminate the achievement gap among students of different races have been a priority for Florida schools for several years.
In the case of Pinellas County, the topic has been the source of legal wrangling over decades, yielding court-ordered initiatives to overcome the obstacles. For the past eight years, the district has operated under a Bridging the Gap plan that set forth specific areas, such as graduation rates and proficiency in core academic subjects, where Black students have been at a historic disadvantage.
Despite making some progress, the school system has not met its goals. That’s prompted some community leaders to push for more.
“Should there be any honor in ‘A’ district status when Black scholars as a group are failing?” former St. Petersburg deputy mayor and police chief Goliath Davis recently asked. Read more here.
Hot Topics
Charter conversion: Efforts to convert three Alachua County schools to charter status have led to public community disputes in Newberry, where the schools are located, MainStreet Daily News reports.
High school sports: The pool of referees is shrinking, creating a challenge for Florida high school athletic associations, Your Observer reports. • A teen at a Palm Beach County high school had his bid to create an NIL club for students rejected by the school, WPEC reports.
School boards: The Flagler County School Board will operate with four members until Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints a replacement for a member who resigned after the deadline to hold an election, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Sex education: Democrats called on the Florida Department of Education to reverse its stance restricting the content of sex education classes to abstinence only, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Education commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. criticized the Democrats for “pushing their sexual ideology on children” rather than focusing on the recovery from Hurricane Helene, Florida’s Voice reports.
Taxes: The St. Johns County school district is holding public forums to explain its two tax referendums on the November ballot, WJXT reports. • Indian River County voters will decide whether to continue a local-option property tax to support teacher pay and school security, TC Palm reports.
Teacher shortages: U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visited Kissimmee, where he talked about creating incentives to getting more people to become teachers, WMFE reports.
Threats: The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office continued to perp walk children accused of making threats of violence against schools, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. An 11-year-old boy was the tenth child to be publicized.
From the police blotter … A Seminole County teacher was placed on administrative leave and arrested over allegations of misconduct, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
From the court docket … The Duval County school district has settled two cases alleging sexual harassment and abuse at Douglas Anderson School for the Arts, WJXT reports.
In Higher Education
Ambitious goals: Florida Polytechnic University’s new president aims to boost enrollment and add programs to the school, the Ledger reports.
General education courses: Florida’s move to reshape the content of university general education courses has prompted complaints of censorship, Inside Higher Ed reports.
University accreditation: A federal judge rejected Florida’s legal challenge of the constitutionality of the accreditation system, News Service of Florida reports.
Don’t miss a story.
Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go …
85 years, huh?
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | Graduation rates and proficiency in core academic subjects |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Achievement gap among students of different races |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article discusses the efforts to eliminate the achievement gap among students of different races in Florida schools. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights the historic disadvantage faced by Black students in Pinellas County and the push for more efforts to address this issue. This relates to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
The article mentions the specific areas where Black students have been at a historic disadvantage, such as graduation rates and proficiency in core academic subjects. These areas reflect the target of ensuring quality education and effective learning outcomes for all students.
Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
The article discusses the achievement gap among students of different races and the need to address this issue. This aligns with the target of promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities based on race and ethnicity.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions graduation rates and proficiency in core academic subjects as specific areas where Black students have been at a historic disadvantage. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of ensuring quality education and reducing inequalities.
Source: tampabay.com
