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FACING FLORIDA
EDUCATION:
In the state of Florida, far too many students do not graduate from high school. Children who have not mastered their reading, writing,and mathematical skills by the fourth grade will begin to fall behind because they are simply not prepared.I believe we must focus public
education in Florida on
individual student achievement.
I am privileged to serve on
the Education Appropriations
Committee and have been able to have some input when working on the
education
budget. There are four budgets to use in completing a statewide
budget:
1) Governor's,
2) House,
3) Senate, and
4) Department budget (whether
it is Education, Transportation, Family Services, etc.)
We have been operating on 60-day sessions since the late 1960's and have grown to be the fourth largest state in the Nation. The problems facing us are tremendous and are very complex.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
There is no question that the state’s child welfare program is overburdened. In our fast-growing state, more and more children are entering the Children and Families system. It is interesting to note that in the past 30 years, the Florida Legislature has required this system to be changed each year. The problems we face today have been long in coming and cannot be solved overnight.The Governor’s Blue Ribbon panel listed numerous recommendations. One of these recommendations, which I strongly support, requires that caseworkers on a monthly basis visit in person every child under state supervision and that criminal history-checks be completed on all new foster home placements. These requirements would certainly preclude some of the horrific problems which have existed.
Looking at long term solutions, we must look to develop and implement a user friendly computer information system linking law enforcement, the courts, schools, various provider agencies and the Guardian Ad Litem Program in order that information can be shared by the professionals charged with protecting children.