University of South Florida's rock-bottom tuition is a boon for sophomore Joey Shafer, who pays his bills with a patchwork of grants, loans, scholarships and a job at Cody's Roadhouse restaurant. ...more

February 5, 2009

The latest report from Education Week finds that less than half of all African-American students, many of whom live in poverty, graduate from high school in Florida. That's a staggering statistic, and none of us who believe public education is a sacred trust can rest until we try everything possible to reach every child who is poor and disadvantaged. Only in a polarized political environment, then, could a program offering a few of those children a different learning option be viewed by well-meaning people as an affront to public schools. ...more

October 18, 2008