Francis Suarez, Valeria Gurr: If states aren’t following Florida’s education commitment, they should be

Twenty-five years ago, Florida was the K-12 education system’s cautionary tale. Students were reading below their regional and national peers; only a little more than half of all high schoolers were earning a diploma; and only wealthy families could escape inequitable school zones.

Unfortunately, the truth was no different in Miami.

A transformative shift began when then-Governor Jeb Bush and Florida lawmakers implemented several education reforms, including a focus on third grade literacy, better state testing, and, most importantly, more high-quality school options.

Today, Florida’s narrative is completely reshaped. Our continued dedication to educational excellence has transformed Florida into a beacon for other states, evidenced by the U.S. News and World Report ranking Florida as “the top state in the country” for education.