The One Florida Plan Executive Summary

All students in Florida, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, economic circumstances or Zip code should have the opportunity to fully reach their highest educational aspirations. But today, that is not the case. Some schools are more equal than others. Generally, high-performing schools offer tougher curriculums, more experienced teachers and better opportunities, while low-performing schools offer lower standards, lower expectations and fewer opportunities. Not surprisingly, the large majority of students attending these low-performing schools are minority students from impoverished families.
As a result of our failure to provide many of these children with a quality education, we are forced to rely on social promotion and race- and ethnic-based admissions policies to move these kids through the system. These well-intentioned policies are often supported in the name of diversity, but it is a false diversity — one that gets you in, but does not get you ready. In addition, it is a diversity that discriminates by ignoring hard work and performance. Underperforming students who are admitted to Florida's colleges and universities without the skills necessary to succeed are less likely to graduate, less likely to attain a high wage job and less likely to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
Working closely with Chancellor Adam Herbert, Gov. Bush has developed a strategy for improving resources and opportunities in underperforming schools and for reforming university admissions practices.
We will ensure more of the minority students who are entering our postsecondary system are prepared for what lies ahead. We will increase the number of minority college graduates.We will do more than any other state in the nation to enhance diversity at the post-secondary level without having to rely on the policies of the past.
And we will ask the Legislature to increase funding for need-based aid by $20 million. We will seek $1.6 million to ensure all 10th grade children take the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test, $2.4 million to expand Florida's Online High School to target students in D and F high schools, $10 million for the Governor's Mentoring Initiative and a $1 million increase in funding for the College Reach Out Program. We will also pay teachers incentive bonuses for teaching Advanced Placement Courses in our low performing schools.