Study Links Low Academic Levels, High Crime; Shorstein Thinks His Office's Research Underscores the Need to Improve Education

Kormanik, Beth, Murphy, Bridget, The Florida Times Union

Byline: BETH KORMANIK and BRIDGET MURPHY, The Times-Union

A State Attorney's Office study has found a link between lower academic achievement in Jacksonville high schools and higher crime rates in the schools' neighborhoods.

Although the findings don't necessarily break new ground, they point to the need for a fix, State Attorney Harry Shorstein said Tuesday.

"I think it is what you would expect," he said. "Schools are, I think, the area in which we should put our primary focus. From a community standpoint, you want better-performing schools, and we are not doing it."

The study was not undertaken at anyone's request, Shorstein said, but a copy has been presented to Mayor John Peyton.

The State Attorney's Office found a link between lower academic achievement in Jacksonville high schools and higher crime rates in the neighborhoods the schools are in.

The study shows students who go to schools with lower average scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test live in …

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Publication information: Article title: Study Links Low Academic Levels, High Crime; Shorstein Thinks His Office's Research Underscores the Need to Improve Education. Contributors: Kormanik, Beth - Author, Murphy, Bridget - Author. Newspaper title: The Florida Times Union. Publication date: September 22, 2004. Page number: Not available. © 2007 The Florida Times-Union. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group.

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