The former is the headline in the Sarasota Herald Tribume for an AP story about national test results, and says in no uncertain terms that there has been improvement in Florida; indeed, the first sentence of the article announces that "No matter how you look at it, Florida students are reading better." But is that true?
Let's look at the latter article, from the St Pete Times. That piece is about the same subject, but with an entirely different conclusion:
"Florida's academic report card has shown dramatic improvement in FCAT scores and school grades, a performance Gov. Jeb Bush hails as a clear sign his education reforms are working."
"But the picture isn't as pretty when Florida's performance is compared with other states."
"According to results released Thursday, Florida ranks at or near the bottom third of the nation in a reading test administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation's report card."
"That's the same position the state occupied in 1998, the last time Florida students took the test."
Oops - The Florida GOP pushed for the creation of "charter schools" that are subject to few of the regulations that constrain regular public schools. Now we learn, at least in Broward, that half of the schools receiving "F" grades are these charter schools. See "Failing charter schools present dilemma to Florida educators". And, what can the school board do? Not much, because as one school board member notes, they hace only "'limited oversight'". God knows how many private schools - which do not have to take the FCAT and get "graded" - would receive an "F" grade.
Senate Passes $1.5 Million Cap, But No Resolution In Sight - "A reluctant state Senate approved a $1.5 million cap on pain and suffering damages in most medical malpractices cases Thursday, then warned the House and governor in a torrent of bipartisan speeches that they had gone as far as they plan to go to compromise." See "Senate says its cap is its limit". See also "Special session brings no deal" and "Legislators at insurance impasse".
No More Run Offs - According to the Florida Times Union, "The Florida Legislature's decision on runoff primaries -- or, more precisely, lack of decision -- is a disappointment. When nobody gets a majority of the votes in a primary, Florida traditionally has conducted a second election between the top two candidates. That practice was suspended, on an experimental basis, for the 2002 elections."
Couldn't Have Said It Better - "The [FCAT] loophole sheds light on the state Legislature's curious double-standard: It applies strict accountability and performance standards to public schools while demanding virtually nothing of private schools - even those that receive state voucher money."