As the new school year approaches, Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas have begun a statewide tour, which some are calling the “Blame Educators Tour.” The tour has drawn criticism from education advocates who argue that state leaders are unfairly shifting responsibility for issues in public schools onto teachers and staff.
According to critics, the governor is using misleading statistics to blame educators for problems caused by state policies. They say this approach diverts attention from solutions that could benefit students, families, and school employees. “The Governor and Florida Education Commissioner have decided to focus on the real villains: our children’s teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, lunch staff, maintenance workers, and every other educator who helps make our communities and neighborhood public schools strong,” said a spokesperson.
Educators maintain they are not responsible for delays in pay raises. Instead, they say they are affected by slow implementation of increases and face ongoing challenges such as underfunded districts and sudden changes in state requirements. “Let us be clear: 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.”
Recent data shows that Florida ranks last among states in average teacher pay for two consecutive years. Many veteran educators feel their concerns go unheard while healthcare costs rise and retirees struggle financially. Critics argue that instead of addressing these issues directly, officials continue to fault teachers’ unions and staff for systemic problems. “Educators are constantly being burdened by the state’s continual underinvestment in public schools. Florida ranks 50th in average teacher pay and has for two years running. Veteran educators are not being heard, healthcare costs are rising, and retirees are struggling, yet the Governor and Commissioner blame teachers and unions instead of owning the consequences of underfunding and poor policy.”
Concerns about student outcomes have also been raised as SAT scores fall and performance on national math and reading assessments declines.
The governor claims $5.6 billion has been allocated toward teacher pay; however, records from the Florida Department of Education indicate that cumulative funding is closer to $1.3 billion—a difference of about $4 billion. This year’s increase amounts to $101 million statewide or less than a 1% raise over last year’s budget—approximately $20 more per paycheck per teacher.
“Meanwhile, the Governor’s so-called ‘historic’ funding is just more fuzzy math… 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.”
Education advocates call for more substantial investment in public schools rather than assigning blame to those working within them. “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.”
