Following Florida: Sunshine State successes could be model for reform

When it comes to improving student performance, Tennessee has experienced a "lost decade."

At the same time, a decade of revolutionary reforms has led to commendable K-12 achievement gains just a few hundred miles away in Florida, according to a new study by the Foundation for Educational Choice and the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

The study, "Lessons for Tennessee from Florida's Education Revolution" compared fourth-grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and found that Florida's students, who ranked behind Tennessee in 1998, gained 20 points on the test in the following decade.

While intended to inspire education leaders across the country, the study focused on two specific southern states because one embraced reform efforts while the other did not.

"Florida established high standards, implemented innovative testing, ended social promotion of illiterate students, rewarded effective teachers, and increased parental choice in schooling,” said said Dr. Matthew Ladner, the study's author. “Tennessee has done none of these, a fact that is sadly reflected in the state's academic performance.”

Ladner found that Florida's Hispanic students outperform or tie the statewide average of all students in 30 states and that the state’s African American students realized a 25-point gain in reading achievement.

"This study is more proof of what we're seeing across the nation," said Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Foundation for Educational Choice, which is dedicated to promoting school choice. "When true reform occurs and parents are given the freedom to choose the education that's best for their children, students are able to break through every barrier and truly excel. The real question is whether the adults making the decisions impacting Tennessee schools have the courage to do what's right for the kids trapped in stagnant schools."