Florida
State Government
Governor
Ron DeSantis (R)
State Senate
12
Democrats,
28
Republicans
State House
36
Democrats,
84
Republicans
Economic well-being - Florida
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.1
Minimum wage
13.0
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
12.0%
Unemployment rate
3.8
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
10.9
Poverty by demographic - Florida
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
31000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
445000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
628000
Senior poverty rate
12.1 %
Women in poverty
11,688,390
St. Petersburg Times, November 16, 2011: Growing poverty is an education problem too
"High poverty rates mean children are likely going to school from homes where unemployment, financial constraints, substance abuse and neglect are common problems. The by-products are less supervision of children outside of school, less help with homework and simply less parental involvement in a child's education."
Orlando Sentinel, November 15, 2011: Sanford OKs housing site for seniors; swap still on table
"The proposed $2.6 million project includes 17 apartments -- some 440 square feet and others 690 square feet -- for low-income seniors (62 and older) and more than 4,000 square feet in retail space on the first floor."
The Miami Herald, November 5, 2011: Complex new teacher evaluations tied to student test scores
"'They said every child should be able to learn, regardless of their poverty level,' said Gisela Feild, Miami-Dade's administrative director for assessment, research and data analysis. Otherwise, it would have been good to include, Feild said. 'We all know that poverty is a big indicator.'"
Florida Today, October 27, 2011: Three charter schools gain OK from Brevard school board
"Emma Jewel Charter Academy in Cocoa will focus on nutrition and health. It will enroll grades K-6 and eventually grow to K-8, and focus on serving the impoverished Diamond Square community. Viera Charter School will focus on math and science. It will enroll grades K-7 the first year and grow to grades K-8."
The News-Press, October 22, 2011: Education said key to change at Fort Myers event
"Richard Milburn Academy, a charter school with 85 percent minority enrollment, has a 23 percent graduation rate. In 2009, 15 percent of all births in Dunbar were to teen mothers. This compares with 10 percent of all Lee County births. The unemployment rate in the predominantly low-income 33916 ZIP code is 28 percent."
The Associated Press, October 19, 2011: Advocates host national town hall meeting on ensuring that foster children succeed in school
"Federal lawmakers said during a national town hall meeting Wednesday that they are working to help foster children succeed in school, citing dismal statistics including a 50 percent graduation rate among foster youths."