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Florida Teachers Protest School Conditions At State Capitol

Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)
Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)

TALLAHASSEE — Florida teachers are sounding off against the state's education system, including its heavy reliance on high-stakes tests.

More than a thousand teachers from across the state held a mid-day rally outside the Florida Capitol. They blasted the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott over everything from school funding to private school vouchers.

Teachers chanted "enough is enough" and "vote them out" as rally organizers urged them to organize and vote in the upcoming 2016 elections. The rally was put together by the Florida Education Association, which is the union that represents teachers.

The FEA has had a stormy relationship with GOP politicians for the last two decades, including former Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush was the architect of Florida's contentious A-F school grading system.

Florida legislators are not expected to make any major changes to the state's public schools during this year's session.

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

<i>Teachers gather at the state Capitol Jan. 14 to protest Florida's emphasis on high-stakes testing and other education issues. (Photo courtesy of Mary Phillips)</i>

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.