Taking a glimpse at Pasco County Schools, there are 67,374 enrolled at last count K-12. Fifty-five percent are enrolled in free/reduced meals. There are 84 schools and 5 charter schools. Pasco County schools employs 9,657 of those 5,197 are instructional employees (teachers). The total number of administrators is 298.
The School’s general annual operating budget is $462,509,537. It should be mentioned that 2,048 students are home schooled and represent 1,345 families. The data shows 1,997 homeless students attending Pasco Schools (2011-2012).
Florida spends $8,887 per student (2011) placing it 13th from the bottom. Among those states providing more per capita are South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and Louisiana. New York allocates $19,076 and tops the list.
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Issues relevant to a quality education relate to adequate resources and skilled staff, access to child health care and a rational policy to improve the Pasco student's education. Efforts have been made to set up standards of achievement with a punishment and reward system that frustrates teachers and school administrators.
Schools and teachers are blamed for poor performance and are penalized. Schools that need enhanced resources are short changed. Not enough efforts are made to address the characteristics of the student population which is critical in understanding why students fail to meet given standards.
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Meager resources to public schools are further compromised with public education dollars funding Charter Schools. These schools are essentially privately run with questionable accountability. I have concerns that this deliberate underfunding of all State public schools sets up Florida public schools for failure. I would further offer the opinion that much of this is politically driven by ultra conservative elected officials.
The solutions require a recommitting to public school resources and sensible policies of accountability for schools, teachers and students. Most important are the safety nets that provide the health and human services needed to give our children a leg up in their education and addresses family needs at home.
Without this change in direction I fear our public school system will not provide the education needed for student success and independence. The bottom line, Florida citizens must demand the resources needed for a quality public school education from our elected officials.
