The STATUS of EDUCATION in FLORIDA ... TODAY!
FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
208 WEST PENSACOLA STREET
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32304
[Photograph of hands tied together with rope.]
THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTING FLORIDA'S 50,000 TEACHERS, SAYS MEASURES TAKEN TO CORRECT OUR EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN STOP-GAP AND HOLD THE LINE - AIMED AT STAVING OFF THE DAY OF RECKONING UNTIL SOME FUTURE UNTAMED DATE.
As of the opening of the last school year, Florida ranked 34th in the nation in expenditure per pupil -- spending only $447 compared to the national average of $564!
In terms of total dollars for education, including monies spent for capital construction, Florida ranked 35th in the country, some $16 below the national average.
Florida teachers' salaries average only $6,430, compared to the national level of $6,800.
We are below the national average in many other areas too:
- Nearly 29 out of every 100 Florida youngsters who enter high school fail to graduate.
- 26.4 percent of our young men fail their pre-induction tests, and 33 of every 100 are disqualified for military service for mental reasons.
Florida ranks 10th in the country in total personal income, yet...
- we are 43rd in what we spend for higher education...
- and 35th in what we spend to educate our elementary and secondary children.
THE LEGISLATURE, two years ago, enacted several programs for education that have been crippled for lack of funds, and a year ago the FEA drafted a priority program for Florida's schools which included - additional funds to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio so that children could have more individual attention, - released time for teachers for planning and duty-free lunch period. - Increased salaries for all teachers, including junior college instructors, - and, money for more and better textbooks and materials for school youngsters.
This is a necessary program for the betterment of Florida's education system, yet the Governor VETOED the expanded kindergarten programs, more library services, more special classes for retarded children, and more teachers to work with first graders. With the money saved from these areas a token raise was given teachers. But the teachers say they will not accept salary increases that come at the sacrifice of our children.
These vetoes only shift the state's responsibility for providing a sound system of education to the local taxpayer, thus permitting the administration to live up to its "no new or increased tax" philosophy.
THIS IS FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE STATE!
RESULTS OF STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL SURVEY
(First Research Corporation of Miami)
- 52% of the registered voters of Florida are dissatisfied with Florida's educational system. 40.9% are satisfied. 6.9% don't know.
- Number one reason for dissatisfaction is teacher salaries...then, low standards and poor quality education.
- More than 8 out of 10 of the young parents group complained that there are not enough teachers in Florida to adequately teach our youngsters.
- The survey said "over half of the registered voters of Florida feel that Governor Kirk has done little or nothing to date about his pre-election pledge to give Florida the finest educational facilities in the country."
- Three-fourths said they felt it is "urgent" that decisive steps be taken to upgrade the system.
- More than 7 out of 10 said they favored a special legislative session on education to resolve the dispute.
- The survey said "a majority of the Florida registered voters DO favor a tax increase of some kind to provide improvements for the Florida educational system".
- The First Research Corporation research proved that Floridians, despite the prevailing political climate of our state, DO care about their schools, DO want improvements made, and are willing NOW to pay for the cost of those improvements.
- It showed us that Floridians no longer want an educational system that is mirrored in mediocrity and political expediency. They want the best - they want it now - and they'll pay for it!
- THE TEACHERS URGE an immediate special session of the Legislature to realistically face the needs in Florida.
EDUCATION IS YOUR CONCERN!
CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES TODAY!
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