[daedalo]

Its hard to say whether there are more sexual predators in one part of the country or the other. Methinks it is a pretty constant percentage from any population regardless of location. That being said Florida is a higher crime state, as are most southern states. It has a less rooted population, and less stable communities than the northeast. Like it or not crime has one well-known predictor- economic. When the economy goes down property crime rises. Violent crime is less easily predicted, but drug use, age, and alcohol use predict these. Locate away from commercial areas that sell alcohol, go to your local police department and get the skinny on where the drug raids have been located if they will tell you. That is a start.

[daedalo]

Good schools are only that if the SAT scores are good too. One thing to look at is the household income of the students taking the test and how well those students did versus students with similar household incomes in other states. When you look at this Florida isn't anywhere near the top.

Lets assume a household income of $65,000.(2004)

Florida students combined SAT scores were 990.
Massachusetts students combined SAT scores were 1025.

OK, we know this isn't a level playing field since a household income of $65k won't do too well in MA, but its much better in FL.

So let's look at when household income is over $100k in both states:

Florida: 1080.
Massachusetts: 1130

That's a 50 point gap amongst families that supposedly can provide the best financial support for their kids at home, provide the best in technology, and more than likely be the best role models of success for their kids. It all points to the delivery of the goods at the school, notwithstanding a few schools in Florida are rated high.

OK, to be even more fair, Massachusetts is a small state population-wise of mainly small towns with small schools and a much higher teacher to student ratio. So lets compare Florida with the big states with students in $100k+ households:

Florida 1080
California 1110
New York 1116
Texas 1092

Yup, even Texas is better than Florida. So lets stop the crowing about how great Florida is in education. It has some very good schools but it has a long way to go to measure up with the best states in education. And by the way, yes perhaps when we look at the $100k+ incomes that includes private schools which may make some comparisons unclear. But in every income group Florida is lower than the other states.

And this is not Florida bashing. It is reality. This state could be a lot better in education. Check the data yourself.

[Martini]

Heddy

Thanks for the info! My company is relocating to Orlando in about 1-2 months and we are all scrambling for a place to live and a NICE one. We will probably rent for a year in the Dr. Phillips area. From all of the research I have done Dr. Phillips seems to be the best place to live in Orlando. Thanks!

[backtofla]

yeah, of course there are going to be good schools and not so good schools in the fla system. generally, the northeast has better schools than the south. generally. mass kids score 50 pts higher than fla's? so what? on a 1600 point scale, you think 50 points is that much?


i live in nc, which borders sc, and their schools are ranked 2nd lowest in the nation. out of all the southern states, i'd put fla schools against most of them. also, not to be "racist" or "prejudiced", but fla has a higher population of spanish and blacks in their schools than the avg state proably has, and i hate to say it, (cause i live in nc right now and see racism everywhere) but blacks and hispanics tend to score a little less than whites.

[NYJV]

i live in nc, which borders sc, and their schools are ranked 2nd lowest in the nation. out of all the southern states, i'd put fla schools against most of them. also, not to be "racist" or "prejudiced", but fla has a higher population of spanish and blacks in their schools than the avg state proably has, and i hate to say it, (cause i live in nc right now and see racism everywhere) but blacks and hispanics tend to score a little less than whites.[/quote]

Wow I think that is a very strong statement!!! I don't want to get into the racist issue, I think if any kid is put into the right environment and our schools are well prepare any kid will do fine I don't believe that people score less because oof there race maybe because of the parent envolvement. I don't want to start anything but maybe that's a little of the subject.
Anyone agree with me ? am I wrong ?

[SunriseWoman]

great post, living in wpb out in the acreage many live here. thank goodness kids are grown and gone now less worries and still a great area to raise kids with respect to schools and open space for now. that is why i moved here from broward to give my child a chance to explore....not more than 5 good years of 4-wheeling left and i am going north to find it again for the second half of my life. don't ever want to leave Florida!

[backtofla]

no, absolutely not was i trying to say anything racist or anything of the sort... poor areas, with poor ppl tend to produce low school ratings and lower test scores.
my statement was as general as saying, "boys usually score higher in math" and "girls usually score higher in literature." in no way was a i being racist, as there is no way i was being sexist by my second statement.

trust me, not a racist bone in my body.....

[NYJV]

ThanKs for replying

[lulu]

Forgive me for interrupting...

I feel like an outcast down here in Miami! And to think the people in the Keys are much, much worse. All those prices are so unheard of down here, especially in the last few years. We pay $10,000 a yr with Citizens state ins for the home & this policy doesn't even cover flood or the inside of the house. Forget the deductible...I'd have to wait till my house disappears before I get a penny. Even if my roof were to fly off, it probably wouldn't even cover it. My car Ins. is $1200 a yr. with an extremely safe driving record as I've never had an accident in my life. It's gotten so bad that I have kept my 95 Corolla for fear of paying more for car Insurance. The funny thing is I can buy a newer car but what for??? We are being controlled by insurance companies...including medical, home, car, etc...this is no way to live. I just hope the Insurance commission does something, Now, according to yesterdays, Miami Herald the Business community is being left out in the cold without coverages. I don't like what I feel is coming.
I'd give anything to get out of here, I guess that's why I'm reading this site. Wish I had the guts to do so, like so many of you. Quite admirable.

Lulu

[NYJV]

I am trying to get in and you are trying to get out