WLRN Public Media | By Sergio R. Bustos

In a blistering critique, the state’s largest teachers’ union said the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis continue “repeated policy failures” to bolster education across the state.

In a statement released late Friday night, as the 60-day legislative session came to an end, the Florida Education Association said the Legislature and governor’s actions have led to a decline in SAT scores and reading and math scores, based on the closely watched data from National Assessment of Educational Progress. And a teacher and staff shortage has left the state without “qualified, highly trained educators in their classrooms.”

The FEA reported in January that nearly 3,200 teacher vacancies statewide and a rise in the hiring of uncertified teachers.

This story was originally produced by WLRN, South Florida’s only public radio station at 91.3 FM, as part of a content sharing partnership with MIA Media Group. Read more at WLRN.org