The tiny Jefferson County school district, about 25 minutes outside Florida's state capital, turned out poor student performance for more than a decade. Its finances were in peril, too, as the racially divided community battled politically over the flailing school system of about 800 students. About three years ago, the state stepped in, declaring the district in financial emergency, and then pushing an academic turnaround plan that ultimately turned Jefferson County into a district operated by charter schools. The efforts, though small in size, offered an insight into the possibilities of where the state might go with other, larger school districts that don't meet the test-based accountability expectations set by the state. WLRN radio education reporter Jessica Bakeman spent close to three years looking into the tale of Jefferson County schools. She shares her findings with reporter Jeff Solochek.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.