Florida residents, Is this true about Florida schools?

[TruckDriver]

Ok, last night, I was chatting with my ex-wife about my boys. And since I cant afford to move to Georgia now because oil prices have seriously hurt the asphalt business, I'm about $6,000 behind what I made last year at this time. I wouldn't of sent my boys to live with my ex if I knew it was going to be not just a bad year, but a suck-assed year. Anyway, She asked me when I wanted to see them again, and I told her probably I would like to take them on the summer school brake next summer because then I will buy tickets at tax time. Well, this is where I need to know if this it true, or if she is handing me a line of B.S. to keep me from ever seeing the boys again. Her and her boyfriend (who joined the chat) told me that the state is seriously involved in the school system. I was told they moniter the progress of the kids closely to see how well they are learning. And if they feel the kids need to attend summer school, the parents have to send them or the state will get involved and could possably take the kids away for not giving them the proper amount of needed schooling.And I said, well how can I buy tickets in advance to save money, if I won't know if they have to attend summer school. I was told that the schools send out a report on it around Christmas, so I would know then. And I said something like that I couldnt see a state from keeping any kids from seeing there parents if they live out of state just because there not doing good in school. We went back and forth about this for a hour last night. There was more said, and I don't remember everything exactly. But, I would like to know if anything is even close to what they said. Because I have no clue about what goes on in the school system down there. Are the lying to me or what? I been depressed about even sending them down there to live, now I'm worried I may have to fight if I ever wanna see them again. 

[TK73]

What does your court-order state about visitation?

[TruckDriver]

What does your court-order state about visitation?

We have joint custody, and I didn't have to let them move to Florida in the first place because it was over 150 miles from me. That is why I got them in the first place cause she knew I would fight that. But, I figured it was best to have them go to her so I could do what I had to do to make my move to Georgia. But like I said, this whole thing went bad as I can't afford to move now because of the lack of work compared to the last few years. She never has denied me from seeing them in the past, and insists now too she is not and never will deny me to see them, but she swaers it is all the schools t hat will decied that (in so many words). And I have no clue. That is why I am asking in the first place. I am hoping Ian (wakko) will be able to give me some insight too.

[TK73]

I really don't see how the State of Florida could justify removing children from a home to satisfy schooling requirements that stem from low grades.  In order for a State to take custody of minors it would have to have founded evidence of educational neglect, which would involve that States Child Protective Services.

My view of your version of the story is that the mother is getting some information from the school and "blowing it way out of proportion". Call the School District and Floridas Child Protective Services (or whatever it is called there).

[Wakko]

That's a bunch of hogwash.  DCF (Childnet now I think) removes kids that are in danger of abuse or neglect, that's all.  If someone refuses to send their child to school, that's one thing...but the state does NOT closely monitor school progress.  Florida has a poor education system that is way underfunded and while the government has tried to bring more money in and improve our education system it's been very slow going.

Here's what I recommend you do.  Get a written agreement from her allowing the kids with you over the summer and book your tickets.  Contact the school and see if you can get a duplicate report card for each child sent to you.  Tell your kids that if they fail at school they can' come and see you.  Failing at school would require them to basically sit around and no absolutely nothing (kind of like me at work!) so I don't see that happening if they're halfway intelligent.   Your ex might be trying to pull a fast one, make sure you eliminate the loopholes NOW while it's easier.

[Lightning]

That's a bunch of hogwash.  DCF (Childnet now I think) removes kids that are in danger of abuse or neglect, that's all.  If someone refuses to send their child to school, that's one thing...but the state does NOT closely monitor school progress.  Florida has a poor education system that is way underfunded and while the government has tried to bring more money in and improve our education system it's been very slow going.
-snip-

as a "product" of that state's education system, I wholeheartedly agree.   They tried to re-fund the education system with the Lottery, but the money from the Lottery keeps disappearing.

[TruckDriver]

Thanks guys. I also found something that says that if the kids are going to spend off time from school out of state, that the school shuld be notified in advance and if needed, a copy of the custody order should be givin to the attending school or school district. Then any needed extra work can be sent home with the student. This came up in a web search I did.

[2fast4u]

  I would ask her what the schools name is and call them myself and ask lots of questions to see if they say the same thing that she's sayin'!

  Maybe even tape record the conversation man.......I've been there.....my ex tried the bullshit the dumb ex-husband and found out that Daddy plays hardball with lawyer as well!  Her lil plan was uncovered in a hurry and cost her.  Now she plays it straight or she'll get some serious attention from the man in the suit and a thin black tie! 


2fast

[Wakko]

When the income from the lottery started rolling in, the budget was readjusted and less money went to education.  For example, if the old budget was 1 billion prior to the lottery, and the lottery brought in 500 million, the new budget was lowered to only 500 million.  Who got screwed?  The teachers and students.  Who won?  The politicians for pulling a fast one.  Legally.

[Lord Warlock]

I'd say it was BS.  We don't even have summer school available in North East florida, they cancelled it because of the costs of running it and lack of teachers.  The state IS involved in the education in that they have standardized testing for ALL students in every grade and they have to pass the fcat if they want to graduate to the next grade.  If they don't they just repeat the grade, they do not force a child to go to summer school, and there is no way the state can just take your kids due to educational standards.  They will however take them if they find bruises etc from abuse...which has those of us who actually discipline our kids a bit worried about exerting the needed amount of "negative behavior correction"  What we worry about most is the anonymous claim of abuse which can have them ripped from your home without even knowing who accused you.  (such as a bitchy neighbor that hates you)

If the state took kids for bad education, my neighbors would have lost two of their kids by now....the kids have had to repeat kindergarden, and 1st grade (2 of the 4 kids) and finally they were pulled out of public school to be home schooled, because of ADD problems and the fact that the kids were causing probs for the other kids in the class. 

[TruckDriver]

The state IS involved in the education in that they have standardized testing for ALL students in every grade and they have to pass the fcat if they want to graduate to the next grade.  If they don't they just repeat the grade, they do not force a child to go to summer school, and there is no way the state can just take your kids due to educational standards.

That is what she said for the most part. I misunderstood her. Plus I posted 24 hours or so after I talked to her. My mistake. I just have small panic attacks when she says something about me maybe not seeing the boys.

[Steve P.]

When I moved my family down here in 94', I was told how wonderful the schools are and all about how the gov. has a hands on approach...

WHAT A LOAD OF SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My older daughter was going into 5th grade.  In Upstate New York the same daughter took 4th place over all of New Yorks 4th graders in math and reading. (It was a combined score). So she starts 5th grade in a nice new school and sits on her hands for the entire year. Straight "A"s. 6th grade, same thing. Never brings home any kind of homework. No science. No history....  NOTHING. STRAIGHT "A"s....  Blew through high school with a 3.9 GPA. First year in collage she was totally lost. Failed her entry exams. Busted her buns to get in and had nothing but trouble with every bit of it.

Second daughter is in the same boat. I have been to the school MANY MANY times. I can't get anywhere with them.

Florida schools are only concerned with the kids PASSING THE F.C.A.T.    That's what brings in the MONEY.... 

There are about 10 fantastic schools in Floriduh. All of them PRIVATE and monster money. Great schools though!!   

I say move to Georgia around Yellow Cuda and Jonathan. Great schools and MUCH work......   

[TruckDriver]

I say move to Georgia around Yellow Cuda and Jonathan. Great schools and MUCH work......   

I was going to in spring. That's why my ex ended up with my boys in the first place, so I could move without having to deal with them while I was doing it and because they were going there for the summer anyway. But oil prices have seriously hurt the asphalt work where I live, and I am now $6,000. behind what I made last year at this time. That money was going to be my moving money. Soooo, moving will not happen for a while now. I knew I would regret my sending the boys to her. And I was right. 

[Lord Warlock]

I'm a transplant from up north, moved to florida in 11th grade, standards in the south in the 70s were really really bad.  I went from a C student in Virginia to an A student in Florida- at least i could read...1/3 of the junior class couldn't read at an 8th grade level.  This has changed dramatically in the intervening years.  My 5th grade daughter (an A student) is doing math problems at a 7th grade level, and will begin basic algebra this year.  (I didn't have algebra until 10th grade in virginia), both my kids read at a level at least 2 years in advance of their grade.  And both of my kids attend public school in Duval Cty (known as one of the bad counties in florida for education) 

Not all the schools here suck, it really depends on where you live and what schools the kids attend.  I don't understand why they don't bring homework home everyday like we did when i was in school.  My 9th grader rarely brings work home, but the 5th grader usually has something to do at night, I see this as being a problem when she gets into college.  I know I wasn't adequately prepared for college my first year. 

The FCAT, although not a perfect system at least puts minimum standards that all students have to meet, which i agree with.  25 years ago they'd promote kids just because it looked bad to fail them, I endorse the fcat, and at least those schools that are not educating their kids get recognized and the parents learn that it may be in their best interest to find other education sources.  If a school fails fcat, the state redirects funding to correct the situation, if they fail for 3 years the school can be closed down.  The FCAT is not that hard a test, the only folks that hate it, are the parents of the kids that fail it, and those parents are usually the ones that do not take an active interest in the education of their own kids, nor do they correct bad behavior.  They think the school should do everything, and the kids should pass regardless of whether they understand the minimum standards or not.

Part of the reason why I moved where i did was the excellent schools in the area, and I'm still pleased with that part of it, I'm not happy with lots of other things that go on at the schools that kids get away with that would never have been put up with in my own public school.  (wife went to private school from K1 thru 12th grade) Some of the teachers absolutely suck, and sometimes you have to make the school move your kid to a different class. 

[Steve P.]

I also believe in the FCAT. The problem isn't the test. The problem is that the only thing they teach is how to pass the FCAT.  I'm sure all the schools here are not as bad. I KNOW some are worse!!!  My younger daughter is also doing some math that I NEVER DID...  She is a junior now and still doesn't know jack about this country or any others. I ask about what is going on in the world today. She thinks I'm asking about WHO'S GOING TO THE MOVIES OR THE MALL....  I ask about 9/11. She tells me (that guy they caught did it)!!!!!!   They teach nothing about current events or even how this country came about.. Abe Lincoln was the (5TH) president, right.. Cause he is on the 5 dollar bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You know, George is on the $1.00!!!!  Her biggest problem in school is reading according to her FCAT scores.  BUT all she has to read is a fifty page book over the next 2 months!! What the hell is that??   I have been to the school many times. (th grade she went to a private school. She did great. Took the FCAT in 10th grade and scored low on the reading. I talked to her guidance counselor and her boss. The BOSS looks at her 3.6 GPA and asks if she went there for 9th grade. I say, what difference does that make?? He says, (If she had gone here she would have passed the reading part with flying colors).........  Are you fucking kidding??  Look up J.W. Mitchel high school. It's rated in the top 10 public schools. What a joke......

[Lord Warlock]

agree that the schools pretty much target their teaching to pass the fcat which is wrong.  Next to no geography, and no history to speak of, sciences are weak too.  Just math, social studies, and reading.  I learned alot more in school than my daughter is learning.  But in college you don't have to take history if you don't want to.  I did but I was into history....now i lurk on the history channel often.  Folks often like to bitch about overweight kids too, but there is NO physical education classes either.  Occasional only in elementary, none in middle school, glad to see high school is mandating it somewhat, no wonder kids are fat if they can't work it off. 

[Steve P.]

agree that the schools pretty much target their teaching to pass the fcat which is wrong.  Next to no geography, and no history to speak of, sciences are weak too.  Just math, social studies, and reading.  I learned alot more in school than my daughter is learning.  But in college you don't have to take history if you don't want to.  I did but I was into history....now i lurk on the history channel often.  Folks often like to bitch about overweight kids too, but there is NO physical education classes either.  Occasional only in elementary, none in middle school, glad to see high school is mandating it somewhat, no wonder kids are fat if they can't work it off. 

Jeeeeees, I'm pissed off enough at the schools here.. Now you reminded  me about a few more things..

FLORIDA SCHOOLS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!