We are thinking of moving to Florida and were wondering...

[mep319]

My parents were VERY involved...had they not been probably would have ended up doing those things not just seeing them. It was my experience of growing up and FL and it is something I don't want to subject my child to.

As far as the test scores or grading of schools go....I was wondering if that was an internal thing within FL or was that a nationwide standard? I'd have a bit more confidence in it if it was a national standard.

 

[JustHolly]

I do some work in the Polk County Schools. I must say, that from what I've seen so far, the schools are superior to the district I used to work in in New Hampshire.

One of the schools I go to is a Charter Middle School. The kids are EXTREMELY well behaved and respectful. They also seem much "younger" than the middle schoolers I worked with in New Hampshire.

Teachers in the schools I have been in here in Florida get treated with respect... something I didn't experience in New Hampshire.


Another problem with the schools, especially in Central Florida, is that they are constantly rezoning areas due to the incredibly fast rate of development. People move into certain neighborhoods for the good schools, only to have the area rezoned and have to send their kids elsewhere. This is a HUGE problem in Orange county and others nearby. It is on the news a lot.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The elementary school here (N.FL) that DD attends is far superior to the school DS attended up north and better than the private school he was at there too. There are sites where you can compare schools and our county is ahead of many northern states. Sure there are some bad counties in FL, but there are bad schools in other states too. I taught in other states before we had kids so I do have some insight. You have to investigate and visit. We are very pleased and both kids are thriving. DD reads well above grade level and her teachers have been the best! Of course our county has higher taxes than most in FL (property and sales), but the payoff is great! When she took the SAT9 last year, her school was well above the national percentile (over 90th% nationally compared). We did visit/investigate the school before buying the house.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Wow! I have lived in Florida most of my life until I married my DH who is in the military. We have lived up north, down south and in Texas and the school system up north and in Corpus Christi was not impressive. You do have some schools that are good and some that are not that great in every state. The school system in Florida is reducing the class size next year. I think k-3 grade can only have 18 kids in the class. Schools in Florida get their money from tourist, property tax, sales tax and lottery. Don't forget that a child who has a parent that is involved in their education will get the best education. A parent is a childs first teacher and one that they will have for life.

As for the drugs, crime and alcohol that is in every state. I saw more in Boston and Corpus Christi than I have in Florida.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by mep319
My parents were VERY involved...had they not been probably would have ended up doing those things not just seeing them. It was my experience of growing up and FL and it is something I don't want to subject my child to.

I didn't mean to insinuate that *your* parents weren't involved. My point was that drugs, booze, sex and all the other bad things teens tend to get themselves into are prevalent EVERYWHERE! Since I grew up in CT, I saw it in my HS, I also lived in Ma. saw it there, It's here in FL too. I don't see how drugs and the rest are more prevalent in FL. maybe times have changed <G>.

BTW, Lee County has school choice. This is their answer to changing school zones because of growth areas. It has it's good & bad points.