TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance & Accountability

Executive Director


Elizabeth Carrouth

The Center for Educational Performance and Accountability addresses the profound fiscal and economic impact that PreK-20 education has on Florida’s future, and makes recommendations to improve both the quality and cost-effectiveness of this essential government service. The Center advocates sound education policy that promotes high academic achievement and reliable assessment tools, maximizes the return on taxpayer investment, and helps foster a more competitive Florida.

Center Research


Implementing the CCSS: The Importance of Getting it Right
6/2013 The first in a developing series about Floridas implementation of the Common Core State Standards, this Briefing gives background on the CCSS, and makes the case that in order for Florida to be an educational leader and provide the workforce talent to strengthen and transform our economy, Floridians from every sector must commit to support our students and teachers in unprecedented changes in teaching and learning.


Preeminence Designation for Floridas Universities
5/2013 The 2013 Florida Legislature, with support from the Governor, passed landmark legislation that established the criteria by which the state can declare preeminent institutions of higher education within Florida’s State University System. Achieving the benchmarks required for preeminence will ensure that Florida public universities rank among the highest in the nation.


Focusing on Outcomes in Floridas Early Learning Programs
4/2013 This Session Spotlight focuses on legislation that adds structure and accountability to the states early learning programs and the Department of Education.


Session Spotlight: Proposed Changes to High School Graduation Requirements
4/2013 This Session Spotlight looks at the three pathways being debated in the proposed legislation, and how each track can help students achieve their goals through targeted coursework. The Spotlight also points out that both bills could be strengthened through increased attention to more rigorous English Language Arts assessments and professional training for teachers.


Aligning Postsecondary Education with Modern Employment Needs in Florida
2/2013 To address the steps that Florida has taken and should continue to take to match our graduates to the industries that need a workforce with skill-specific education, this Briefing looks at two aspects of the issue: how the right degree can make a difference in lifetime earning potential, and how Florida’s Supply and Demand Portal can help students and employers achieve their goals.


Government Cost Savings Task Force Report for FY2013-14
1/2013 Continuing a legacy that has resulted in the savings of at least $3.5 billion in Floridians' hard-earned tax dollars over the last four years alone, Florida TaxWatch added more than $1 billion in cost-saving options for lawmakers this year, with the release of this Report. This year's Report is the fifth in as many years from Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog headquartered in Tallahassee.


Accountability is Essential
7/2012 Florida must continue to embrace and refine its system of accountability in public education in order to maintain the significant gains that have been made for all students, according to “Accountability is Essential,” a new Briefing from the Florida TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance & Accountability (CEPA).


How Charter School Funding Compares
2/2012 "This Research Report looks at the disparities in funding levels between charter and traditional public schools, and offers suggestions on how to let the money follow the student."


Economic Commentary: Florida's Universities and Technology Transfer
9/2011 "From Gatorade to the chemotherapy drug Taxol, some of the nation's most recognizable inventions are from Florida's University system. This report shows how the process works and which universities account for the most inventions. "


Ideas in Action: Increasing the Quality of VPK
8/2011 "This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, defines the necessity of improving the state's voluntary pre-K program. Weaknesses in the current programs are scrutinized and solutions are proposed. "


Florida TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance and Accountability Public Education Capital Outlay
5/2011 This report shows how Florida's system of funding the capital outlays of educational facilities is complex and subject to fluctuation by circumstances unrelated to need.


Ensuring that Florida's university-bound high school graduates are STEM programs-ready
9/2010 "Written independently of Florida TaxWatch, this report explains why high schools must put a premium on teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics"


Amendment 8 is the Right Investment for Florida: Evidence Shows Modifying the Class Size Reduction Amendment Will Save Billions for Florida Taxpayers
7/2010 Implementing the class Size reduction amendment has proven to be very expensive. This report details how it could get more expensive and explains measures that could lower the cost.


2010 Legislative Briefing: Education Personnel Reforms
4/2010 The Florida TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance and Accountability (CEPA) stresses the need for reform in education through the legislative process.


Preparing Florida's Students to Close the Talent Gap for an Innovation Economy
2/2010 "This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, explains how the Florida must make dramatic improvements in math and science education if it is to establish a solid foundation of innovation. "


Florida Tax Credit Scholarship: Let the evidence speak for the scholarship for low-income students
1/2010 "This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, defines this scholarship, enumerates its benefits, and explains how it relates to both high-poverty and low-poverty schools."


Higher Education Transformation: Must We Have a Crisis as a Catalyst
11/2009 "This report, written independently of Florida TaxWatch, provides case studies of how selected universities responded innovatively to a recession-induced fiscal crisis. "


The Florida Boys & Girls Clubs: A Comparative Analysis of Student Performance
4/2008


Final Report: A Comprehensive Assessment of Florida Virtual School
11/2007


How Can Florida Meet the Demand for Highly Qualified Pre-Kindergarten Teachers?
4/2007


Taxpayer's Guide to the Funding of Florida Public Education (K-12)
11/2006


Florida s Constitutional Mandate for a Quality Educational System: How Do We Get From Here to There?
4/2006


Teacher Pay Review: National Definitions of Key Terms Related to Determining a State s Average Teacher Salary Need to be Developed in Order to Accurately Compare States
4/2006


Quality Early Education Contributes Substantially to the State s Economic Viability
4/2006


Putting Minds to Work Pays Big Dividends! The Impact of Florida Community Colleges on Students Prosperity and the State s Economy: A Solid Return on Investment
4/2006


Student Achievement in Florida s Largest School District Miami Dade School District Holds the Key to Closing Florida s Achievement Gap
2/2006


Educator Preparation Institutes at Florida Community Colleges Will Help to Prevent Severe Teacher Shortage
3/2005


Strengthening Marion County Public Schools: A Study of the Continuous Improvement Model (CIM)
3/2005


Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of Project CHILD: Phase IV
3/2005


Florida's Financial commitment to K-12 Education How Much Money is Enough
2/2005


Building the Capacity for Degreed Teachers for Florida's Pre-Kindergarten System
12/2004


Making a Better Quality Universal Prekindergarten Program for Florida's Children
12/2004


What Are Cost Consequences of Not Implementing a Quality Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Program?
11/2004


CHILD Program Reduces Student Retention and Could Save Tens of Millions of Dollars
9/2004


Legislature Stumbled on Implementation of the Universal Prekindergarten Amendment: Florida TaxWatch Suggests the Governor Now Punt
5/2004


Student Achievement in Florida
5/2004


Fulfilling Florida Voters' Mandate to Provide Pre-K Education for 4-Year-Olds
4/2004


Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of CHILD: Phase III
4/2003


Polls Say Floridians Willing to Accept Year-Round Schools
3/2003


Increase the Current Limits on the Corporate Income Tax Credit for Scholarships Program To Help Alleviate the Fiscal Burden of Amendment 9 Class-Size Reduction Requirements
2/2003


Amendment 9 on Class Size Reduction is Structurally Unsound; Putting at Great Risk Revenues- Costs- Quality Teachers and Florida's Future
10/2002


Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of Project CHILD: Phase II
10/2001


Measuring Academic Program Performance and Accountability by Student Achievement and Progress by Steve Uhlfelder
10/2000


Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of Project CHILD: Phase1
9/2000


Florida TaxWatch's Comparative Evaluation of Project CHILD
3/2000


Florida's College Preparatory Program: The Access Challenge by David Armstrong
11/1999


Full Cost Analysis Procedures and Development of Request for Proposals for Management and Non-Instructional Educational Services
5/1999


"Florida's Teacher of the Year says Students Must Use the ""Power of Knowledge"" to Compete by Grace Williams"
12/1998


The Private Sector Can Offer Remedial Options to Community Colleges by Robert Hackworth
9/1998


Principal Leadership in Education by Dr. Elaine Sullivan
6/1998


A Study of Non-Instructional Services: Contracting for Services/Competition Options Available to Florida's Public Schools
4/1998


Florida's Education Financing Problems: A Constitutional Solution by Arnold Greenfield
2/1998


Students- Universities and Graduation Rates by Dr. John Lombardi and Dr. Betty Capaldi
3/1997


Florida State University Commencement Address by Steve Uhlfelder
2/1997


School Vouchers by John Ryor and Pat Tornillo
4/1996


Subsidized Child Care Vouchers: High Potential for Abuse and Fraud
3/1995


Subsidized Child Care Vouchers: High Potential for Abuse and Fraud
3/1995


International Faculties Rate Educational Environments
2/1995


Educational Programs and Initial Student Earnings by Jay J. Pfeiffer- FETPIP
6/1994


Public Education Capital Outlay
2/1994


Presidential Compensation at Florida's Community Colleges
12/1993


The Tenth University by Judge Harold Crosby
3/1993


Low Level of Educational Attainment Hinders Florida'a Ability to Compete
2/1993


A University for Florida's Future by Dr. Roger Kaufman
10/1992


Back to Basics: Reexamining the Mission of Florida's Higher Education by Stanley G. Tate
8/1992


What is Wrong With Florida's Tuition Structure? by Pat Groner
7/1992


New Directions for Florida Education
5/1989


How Florida Schools Stack Up: Weighing Our Relative Financial Commitment to Public Education
3/1986


Universities Overestimate Enrollments - Again
1/1983


Enrollment Shortfalls Send Five Universities a Warning: Deep Budget Cuts Forthcoming
10/1982


Proposed USF Computer System: Costly Duplication Continues
8/1982


FAMU/FSU Engineering School: Costly Program Duplication
8/1982


Expansion of Upper Level Universities
5/1981


The Making of University Waste
9/1980


School Expenditures and Teacher's Salaries
8/1980

Center Advisory Board


Chairman

Mr. David Mann

SunTrust Bank, North Florida


Board members

Ms. Kathy Adams

Nonprofits First

The Honorable Tony Bennett

Florida Commissioner of Education


The Honorable Frank T. Brogan

Florida Board of Governors - 

State Univ. System  


Mr. Brewser Brown

SKB Consulting

Dr. Elaine W. Bryant

E.W. Bryant Associates


Ms. Stacy Carlson

Helios Education Foundation


Ms. Mary Chance

Consortium of Florida Education Foundations


Dr. Paul Cottle

Florida State University


Mr. Brian Cunningham

Citrix Systems, Inc.


Mr. Steven L. Evans

Retired IBM Executive


Dr. Frank Fuller

Office of the Senate President


Mr. J. Charles Gray

GrayRobinson, P.A.


Mr. Robert Haag

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools


Ms. Viann Hardy

Maximus

Mr. Michael A. Jennings

Prudential 


Dr. Laura Lang

Florida State University







Mr. David Lawrence

Early Childhood Initiative Foundation


Mr. Alan J. Levy

Great American Farms


The Honorable William J. Montford

Florida Senator

CEO, Florida Assn. of District School Superintendents

Mr. Chris  Neal

State Farm Insurance Companies


Ms. Susan Pareigis

The Florida Council of 100

Ms. Sherry Plymale

Florida Atlantic Univ.


The Honorable William Proctor

Florida House of Representatives/

Chancellor, Flagler College


Ms. Crisha Scolaro

The Pepin Academies, Inc. 


Ms. Lyn Stanfield

Apple, Inc.

Mr. Steven J. Uhlfelder

Uhlfelder & Associates, P.A.


The Honorable Steven Wise

Florida State Senator


Ms. Julie Young

Florida Virtual School


Dr. Dhyana Ziegler

FAMU

1
Elizabeth Carrouth

Elizabeth assumes her duties as the Executive Director of CEPA with extensive experience in educational policy research and implementation. Elizabeth graduated with honors from Florida State University and began her career as an educational research assistant to then Senate President Curtis Peterson. She was subsequently recruited by the Department of Education to implement legislation and continued her career there in several key educational appointments. Her final leadership position included oversight for state adoption of instructional materials and library media in Florida’s public schools. Her tenure in this role established the first delivery of research-based reading specifications to the publishing industry, and initiation of Florida’s K-12 reading programs aligned to emerging literacy research.

Elizabeth most recently served as a Senior Legislative Analyst for the Florida Senate Committees on Pre-K-12 and Higher Education. She was instrumental in drafting legislation to ensure student preparation for careers in high demand, high skill occupations and to emphasize instruction that prepares students for a global economy. Additionally, she was instrumental in expansion of virtual education offerings, establishment of ethics standards within the teaching profession, and transforming instructional delivery for diverse learners.

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