Florida schools received national attention two decades ago when Jeb Bush implemented an aggressive reform agenda. As the bipartisan consensus on education reform shifted, however, Florida’s policy story and its results have faded from national consciousness.
Florida ranks close to the top of the class on overall achievement and at the very top for return on investment. It is the single best state in which to be a low-income public school student.
While we can’t tease out the effects of individual policies on these achievements, results-oriented governors and legislatures should study and emulate Florida’s education model.