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High School Reform in Florida How do we ensure success for each student?. Luke Levesque. The Cost of Failure. More than two-thirds of inmates in America’s prisons are high school dropouts. High school dropouts are 25 times more likely to be on Medicaid than college graduates.
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High School Reform in Florida How do we ensure success for each student?
The Cost of Failure • More than two-thirds of inmates in America’s prisons are high school dropouts. • High school dropouts are 25 times more likely to be on Medicaid than college graduates. • High school dropouts earn about $260,000 less over a lifetime than a high school graduate and pays about $60,000 in taxes. • If all high school dropouts who are single mothers earned a high school degree, welfare costs would be reduced $1.5 to 3.5 billion annually.
College Success is Dependent upon High School Success How do we prepare the pipeline?
Accountability: The Recipe for Success • High Standards for ALL • Measure and Report • Rewards and Consequences • School Choice
1990 – 1998 Graduation rate declined by nearly 7% 1999 – 2007 Graduation rate increased by more than 12% Graduation Rates
1990 – 1998 Dropout rate declined by less than one percent (.8%). 1999 – 2007 Dropout rate declined by more than two percent (2.1%) -- more than twice the previous 8-year decline. Dropout Rates
FCAT Basics • FCAT questions are developed by teachers based upon Sunshine State Standards, which are also developed by teachers • Expanded test to students in grades 3-11 • Reading and Math (grades 3-10) • Writing (grades 4, 8, 10) • Science (grades 5, 8, 11)
FCAT Basics • More than 700 teachers, principals, and parents review every FCAT question before it is put on the test • Any one person can veto a potential question
Student Performance Levels • Level 5 Above grade level • Level 4 • Level 3 – GRADE LEVEL • Level 2 Below grade level • Level 1
Measure and Report School Grades
School Grading System • Performance – percent of students on grade level • Learning Gains – percent of students making a year’s worth of progress, regardless of whether they are on grade level • Learning Gains of lowest 25% -- percent of lowest performing students making learning gains* (*KEY MEASURE FOR MINORITY & UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS)
School Grade Changes • In 2009-2010 school year, high school grades will include other factors: • Graduation Rate • At-risk Graduation Rate • Acceleration Rates • College Readiness Rates
Rewards & Consequences School Recognition College Board Partnership High School Graduation Requirements
School Recognition • Schools receive $85 per student for: • Increasing a letter grade • Receiving or maintaining an “A” • School staff and school advisory council decide on use of the funds • Since 1999, more than $1.13 billion provided in school recognition awards
College Board Partnership • School Bonus for AP passage -- $700 • AP Teacher Bonus – $50 for every passing score, up to $2,000 • AP Teacher Bonus -- $500 for first passing score in D or F school, up to $2000
by All of Florida's Students First year of the College Board Partnership Florida’s College Board Partnership(including the AP Teacher Bonus Program)
by All of Florida's Students 1999-2008:252% increase 210,321 1991-1999:86% increase 59,811 32,137 Florida’s College Board Partnership(including the AP Teacher Bonus Program)
All Students 1999-2008:240% increase 117,698 1991-1999:69% increase 34,607 20,521 Florida’s College Board Partnership(including the AP Teacher Bonus Program)
Hispanic Students 1999-2008:321% increase 26,032 6,181
African-American Students 1999-2008:469% increase 14,777 2,595
by All of Florida's Students 1999-2008:169% increase 88,279 1991-1999:100% increase 32,775 16,402 Florida’s College Board Partnership(including the AP Teacher Bonus Program)
Hispanic Students 1999-2008:237% increase 18,882 5,611
African-American Students 1999-2008:235% increase 4,401 1,314
2008 AP Results • AP Participation: • For the third year in a row, Florida had the greatest single-year increase in the number of exam takers when compared to all other states. • The number of Florida students taking an AP exam increased by 13%, as compared to approximately 9% for the nation. • For the third year in a row, Florida had at least the third-greatest increase in the nation in the number of Hispanic exam takers (14%). • Florida had the largest single-year increase in the nation in the number of Hispanic exam takers and the number of exams taken by Hispanic students among the four most populous states. • For the third year in a row, Florida had the largest single-year increase in the nation in the number of African-American exam takers (30%). • AP Performance: • Florida had the third-greatest increase in the number of students passing AP exams when compared to all other states. • Florida ranks 4th in the nation in the number of graduating seniors passing an AP exam. • Florida had the third-greatest increase in the number of passing scores earned by Hispanic students when compared to all other states. • Florida continues to have more African-American students take an AP course, more take an AP exam, and more pass an AP exam than any other state.
High School Graduation • Florida has had graduation test requirement for more than 25 years • High School Competency Test (HSCT) • 8th grade level test • 10% of high school students did not receive diploma solely due to nonpassage of HSCT • In 2002 became the Grade 10 FCAT • 10th grade level test • In 2007, 8% of high school students did not receive diploma solely due to nonpassage of FCAT
School Choice “School choice is an essential tool for real education reform. It’s also a fundamental right – a civil right – for Florida’s families.” - Jeb Bush
School Choice • Opportunity Scholarships • McKay Scholarships • Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships • Charter Schools • Virtual Schools
School Choice Minority and Underrepresented students comprise the majority of students participating in school choice programs School choice empowers lower income families with ability to become an empowered “consumer” of education.
School Choice • Manhattan Institute: Threat of vouchers improved student performance • http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_02.htm • Cornell University: Threat of vouchers improved student performance • http://repec.org/esNASM04/up.2034.1075271881.pdf • Harvard University: Choice provisions of A+ Plan are leveraging student achievement gains • http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/pepg/PDF/Papers/West_Peterson_ChoiceThreats.pdf
School Choice • Friedman Foundation: Empirical Evidence on private schools and school choice • http://www.friedmanfoundation.org/friedman/research/ShowResearchItem.do;jsessionid=E74F8098352A6F05ACC3EA7A5FCAA975?id=10082 • Collins Center: Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship saves state money • http://www.collinscenter.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=465138 • Manhattan Institute: Choice provisions provide greater parental satisfaction • http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_38.htm
Results Accountability is Working for All Students
Closing the Gap • Florida’s low-income Hispanic students outperform Arizona’s overall student population • Florida’s Hispanic students outperform overall students in 15 other states • Florida’s African American and Hispanic students lead the nation among their peers on the NAEP (national test). • Florida was one of 3 states recognized as closing the achievement gap between affluent and low-income students.
Where do we go from here? • Continue Reform • Incremental Progress will Create Long-term Success • Build upon Reform • Success in High School prepares students for Readiness in College • AP expansion • High School Majors • Expand Choice
High School Reform in Florida Contact Information: Patricia W. Levesque Executive Director Foundation for Florida’s Future P.O. Box 10691 Tallahassee, FL 32302-2691 850-391-3070 patricia@afloridapromise.org www.foundationforfloridasfuture.org