Over Half of Florida Students Fail State Test

Florida has the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test which tests students on their reading and writing skills in grades 4, 8, and 10 . The results for the last test were just released and it showed a major drop in scores. Last year 81% kids in the fourth grade scored a four or higher on their test. The tests are scored on a one to six grading criteria, and receiving a four means the student at their grade level standards. This years results show that only 27% of fourth graders received a four or higher.  This drop was seen across all of the age groups.Last year, 82% of eighth graders scored a four or higher, but now only 33% did. 80% the tenth graders scored a four or higher last year but only 38% did this year. This dramatic drop is thought to be a result of a change in the grading guidelines. The state is putting teachers and students at a higher education level. These scores are to show the state how well schools are preforming and individual students. State officials are saying that they were expecting this drop and expect the scores to be back to where they were at in the next few years.
http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/21/florida-test-scores-bring-more-questions-than-answers/?hpt=hp_bn1

Woman Charged for Taking Baby From Hospital

Ann Pettway admitted that she stole an infant from a Manhattan hospital in 1987. She has pleaded guilty to a federal kidnapping charge. She turned herself in January 2011 at the FBI office in Bridgeport, Connecticut. her trial was supposed to start Monday but the Judge has moved it to July 6.She could face life in prison. Pettway suffered many miscarriages. She abducted Carlina Renae White, and attempted to make false birth certificates but never was successful. Whites mother testified that she brought Carlina in to the hospital at 19 days old for a fever and went home to rest. When she came back her baby was gone. Carilina said she never felt like Pettway was her mother and spent last year tracking down her birth parents.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/14/justice/new-york-baby-snatching/index.html?hpt=us_c2

Monster Shrimp taking over Volusia County's Waters

Finding tiger shrimp off the Volusia coast in Florida is becoming more and more common. Tiger shrimp are huge compared to the average shrimp. The tiger shrimp were introduced to the Volusia coast in 1988, but since they have become more common to local fishermen, it is believed that the multiplying population could eventually take over the current shrimp. However, the tiger shrimp have been eaten by locals, and they say that they are quite tasty. Local fisherman say that if they need, they will begin to sell these shrimp. These shrimp have been found to be 12 inches long and as thick as a banana. They definitely make a shrimp out of the current shrimp.
http://cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/5/6/monster_shrimp_takin.html?hpt=us_bn5