At least a third – and possibly as many as half – of students in Palm Beach County, Florida do not graduate on time with regular diplomas. Additionally, a significant disparity exists between the graduation rates of African-American and Hispanic students and those of white students.
These poor graduation rates – well below both state and national averages – demonstrate a failure by state officials to ensure that all students receive a high quality education as mandated by the Florida Constitution
In November of 2009, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Florida filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of parents and students in Palm Beach County, charging that state officials violate the state's constitutional requirement that all students receive a "uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality" free public education.