Facts show that Florida schools are, as one education advocate said, the best government education deal in America.

According to USA Facts, K-12 teachers in Florida are the lowest paid in the nation.

Even at that, their average pay of more than $50,000 is about equal to the average salary of all Americans. But teachers are required to work only 180 days of the year, and they live in the Sunshine State.

So, what do Florida taxpayers get for their money?

Well, in 4th-grade math AND reading scores, Florida students are No. 1 in the nation (2019 NAEP).

That isn’t all.

Florida students also rank No. 3 in Advanced Placement Performance.

Also, according to Education Week, Florida is No. 3 in K-12 achievement. It got a score of B minus. The highest score was B.

“We are the best bargain for education in America,” Ron Matus of Step Up for Students told Eye on Jacksonville.

These facts destroy the arguments of powerful teacher union leaders who say Florida students don’t get the education they should because teachers are underpaid.

Actually, some teachers are underpaid – but it is the fault of the teacher unions.

They won’t allow school districts to reward the best teachers with more pay. Under the socialist model they demand, all workers must be paid the same regardless of productivity or performance, and only get increases for staying in the job and accumulating degrees.

Republican leaders in Tallahassee have raised teacher pay substantially, however. They should follow that up by restoring merit pay, which unions oppose.

Not coincidentally, Florida also leads the nation in school choice. That strengthens the government schools.

The real problem with government schools is not money but the leftward tilt that leads the politicians who run them to promote pornography and racism, and stifle parents who protest.