Comparing Massachusetts to Florida

Two states, both alike in dignity,

In fair U.S.A, where we lay our scene,

From classic education break to new standards,

Where civil debate makes civil efforts confusing...

And so forth, but just as two star-crossed lovers came from very different backgrounds, as are the diverse approaches taken by the state of Massachusetts and Florida towards Education.

Massachusetts:

Source:  (Please note that this graph represents 2005 data, and is show in part to demonstrate the state's progress).  http://www.myonlinemaps.com/massachusetts.php

Massachusetts is not the highest spending state in the Union, ranking around 13th (source), but it is one of the best performing.  Eighth graders in Massachusetts out perform Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan in Mathematics making them 6th ranked in the world.  The US as a whole ranks 9th in Math. (source). Massachusetts over all is given a 'B' grade while the national average is a 'C.'

How did Massachusetts gain its success?  20 years ago they decided to focus on Math and Science, and they invested in making it a priority.  These investments were both financial as well as in training and research based.  Part of the reason some people believe that they were willing to take the steps necessary was that the state has a large number of well-paid and well-educated people, in comparison to other states (source). 

Florida:

Source:   (Please note that this graph represents 2005 data, and is show in part to demonstrate the state's progress).  http://www.myonlinemaps.com/florida.php

Now to Florida.  Florida is one of the lowest states in per a student spending, but one of the highest areas of growth in Mathematics and Reading.  Even more impressive are the gain in minority students (source).  Florida's growth has been from a 'C-' to a 'B-' overall (source). 

Florida went about it in a similar manner as Massachusetts, only with budget cuts as well.  They also expect student to pass reading tests in third grade before moving to fourth.  They expanded voucher programs and also increased pre-K programs.  While Florida celebrates being able to do all this with a minimal budget, they have had to increase per a student spending recently by $400 (source).  That combined with the addition of Social Studies Testing is believed to show a continued increase in student performance. 

Where next?

I would like to investigate next how a teacher's salary plays into the effectiveness of teachers, and how the breakdown of where the budget goes.  Is it towards technology?  School buildings?  Teachers?  Administrators?  New learning initiatives, and so forth.  I would like to invite anyone's opinions on how they feel school budgets should be allocated.

Shared response:

I invite my readers to share any thoughts they have from this reading,or prior information.  Can school reform happen with a lower budget?  Is Florida the exception or a growing rule?