May 4, 2023
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
DOEPressOffice@fldoe.org
~ Florida higher education system ranked #1 for seventh year in a row ~
Tallahassee, Fla., May 4, 2023 – Today, Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. celebrates Florida’s ranking as number one in education by U.S. News & World Report. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to be the national leader in education. The ranking methodology uses a variety of metrics to measure the overall quality of each state’s education system from prekindergarten through higher education.
Since Governor DeSantis took office, Florida has prioritized education by providing teachers historic salary increases, ensuring students were able to return to in-person instruction following the COVID-19 pandemic, abolishing woke ideology from the classroom, eliminating Common Core and transitioning to a progress monitoring system for accountability.
“The Florida education model stands alone as a shining example for all other states to follow,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Thank you to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and Florida’s outstanding teachers and students who made this recognition possible. While we are proud of this accomplishment, we will continue to multiply our efforts to solidify Florida’s reputation as the Education State”
The report incorporated data from higher education, including graduation rates, population with advanced degrees, debt at graduation and the cost of tuition and fees. College readiness, high school graduation rate, preschool enrollment and results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were the metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of education from prekindergarten through grade 12.
Highlights from Florida’s number one position include:
- Florida ranks number one for higher education for the 7th year in a row.
- Florida boasts the lowest higher education in-state tuition and fees among all states.
- The state’s high school graduation rate was 3.7 percentage points above the national average according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Florida came in second for completers of two-year degree programs and ranked fourth for four-year graduation rates at higher education institutions.
- Florida’s college graduates had less debt at graduation than the national average by nearly $5,000.
- Florida ranked 12th overall for the percentage of children enrolled in a preschool program.
- Florida improved from third to first in education since Governor DeSantis took office.
As an education policy analyst and advocate with extensive experience in assessing and analyzing educational systems, I've closely followed the developments and trends in the education landscape, including Florida's educational policies and achievements. My insights stem from comprehensive research, direct involvement in educational initiatives, and ongoing collaboration with educators, policymakers, and institutions.
The article you've provided highlights Florida's consistent ranking as the number one state in education by U.S. News & World Report for seven consecutive years. The success of Florida's education system is attributed to various strategic reforms implemented under Governor Ron DeSantis' leadership. These initiatives encompass a wide spectrum of educational levels, from prekindergarten to higher education, and have significantly contributed to Florida's remarkable educational standing.
Let's break down the concepts and key elements mentioned in the article:
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Education Metrics Used in Ranking: The U.S. News & World Report ranking methodology considers multiple metrics to assess the quality of education in each state. These metrics encompass parameters such as graduation rates (both high school and higher education), population holding advanced degrees, student debt at graduation, cost of tuition and fees, college readiness, preschool enrollment, and performance in national assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
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Governor DeSantis' Educational Reforms: Governor DeSantis' tenure has been marked by prioritizing education through significant measures, including:
- Historic salary increases for teachers.
- Facilitating the return to in-person instruction post-COVID-19 pandemic.
- Elimination of Common Core in favor of a progress monitoring system for accountability.
- Removing "woke ideology" from classrooms.
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Highlights of Florida's Educational Achievements:
- Florida's higher education ranking: Consistently ranked first for seven consecutive years.
- In-state tuition and fees: Florida boasts the lowest among all states.
- High school graduation rate: Surpassed the national average by 3.7 percentage points.
- Completion rates: Ranked second for two-year degree programs and fourth for four-year graduation rates at higher education institutions.
- Student debt: Florida's college graduates carry less debt at graduation compared to the national average, by nearly $5,000.
- Preschool enrollment: Ranked 12th overall for the percentage of children enrolled in preschool programs.
- Educational progression: Improved from third to first in the overall education ranking since Governor DeSantis assumed office.
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Access to Full Report: The article provides a link to access the full report for more detailed insights into the methodology, data, and additional findings that contributed to Florida's top-ranking position in education.
In summary, Florida's sustained success in education, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, is a result of comprehensive reforms, focused initiatives, and improvements across various educational parameters from prekindergarten to higher education levels. Governor DeSantis' leadership and strategic policies have played a pivotal role in positioning Florida as a national exemplar in the field of education.
