As the new school year approaches, Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas have begun a statewide tour, which critics are calling the “Blame Educators Tour.” The tour has drawn criticism from educators who say that state leaders are focusing on blaming teachers and school staff for issues in public education rather than addressing underlying problems.
“Educators are not to blame for the slow rollout of raises. They are the victims of it. Every educator in the state has one goal: To ensure that every child in Florida has access to a world class public education where they can thrive. It’s an uphill battle when public schools have to also grapple with underfunded districts, confusing state mandates, and last-minute changes from the state,” according to a statement released by the Florida Education Association.
Florida’s average teacher pay ranks last among all states for two consecutive years. Many veteran educators report feeling unheard as healthcare costs rise and retirees face financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Kamoutsas continue to place responsibility on teachers and their unions for low pay and other issues facing schools.
The Governor has claimed that $5.6 billion has been allocated toward teacher pay increases. However, records from the Florida Department of Education indicate that the actual cumulative amount is closer to $1.3 billion—a difference of about $4 billion. This year’s funding increase amounts to approximately $101 million statewide, less than a 1% rise from last year. On average, this results in about $20 more per paycheck per teacher.
The statement from educators emphasized: “That $20 sends a clear message to every single educator in the state: when the Governor blames teachers, staff, and their unions for their own low pay, he really means that educators should be happy with scraps and a system that is making it harder for them to have a say in their own professions.”
Recent declines in SAT scores and student performance on national math and reading assessments have also raised concerns about educational outcomes in Florida.
“Our students deserve better. They deserve bold, sustained funding for our public schools. Educators are not political pawns or enemies; they are professionals. And they deserve policies that reflect that, not weak excuses or blame,” said representatives of the association.
