FL newspapers finding it tougher to criticize Jeb on education

Orlando Sentinel; Miami Herald; St. Petersburg Times | June 18, 2002 | summer and others

[summer]

Thank you for taking the time to check out this post! :)

BTW, if you'd like to visit Gov. Bush's official campaign web site, click on www.jeb.org

[mewzilla]

Good post!

And here's a question I have for Jeb's opponents with kids: are they in public or private schools? Inquiring minds want to know...

[I still care]

Excellent, summer. This Sunday in church this was the topic of conversation around the donuts - the newspapers are dying because they cannot really fault Jeb's education plans, and his ratings are consistantly high. While what people are associating with Reno's candidacy is lesbian rights and the Hollywood elite.

[Movemout]

I have been reading your posted threads for some time. You are really becoming quite adept at it. Keep up the good work. I have to admit that I like Jeb's politics much better than his brother's politics. At the risk of establishing another American poltical dynasty I must say that Jeb is still in the running in my book.

[KansasGirl]

Is Jeb a conservative?

[FairWitness]

Good post summer. Every state needs a "summer" like you. Thanks for your good work.

[lodwick]

Good job Jeb! bttt

[daviddennis]

It never ceases to amaze me how school columnists focus on inputs - money - while not even considering outputs - learning.

Sure, it's nice to have more money and all, but I don't think that's what makes kids learn. A lot of miserable schools have absurdly high budgets.

D

[stainlessbanner]

Respectfully, I think Jeb is trying to make the right moves in education, but thus far he has been unconvincing. Perhaps it is his advisors.

The FCAT is a joke - funding for a school is tied to a one-day test. Schools even call up the brightest students to make sure they will be present for the FCAT.

Jeb is head and shoulders about his competition, I think with the right advisors, he will improve Florida's low education rank!

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

Thought you might find something of interest here... :)

[summer]

Thanks for your post #9. I appreciate your comments.

Funding is not tied to simply the results of a test. The grade of a school does not determine its funding -- however, schools that improve do receive bonus money to spend however they choose, while schools that fail do receive additional funds in a much more structured scenario.

I can understand what you are saying: that you do not want a test to determine all.

The number of students who take the test (as some schools will purposely suspend their worse students during testing week), and the learning gains made by students (a new measure) also count in a school's grade.

While any test does increase the pressure on a teacher and on students, I would just say this: if a kid wants to get into law school, or medical school, or a wide variety of other institutions someday, guess what? The kid has to take a test. No one follows you around for a year to find out if you'd actually make a good lawyer despite your low score on the LSAT.

In addition, kids have to take and pass tests for driver licenses, boating licenses, etc. When you deal with testing in a larger sense, students appreciate the practice they are getting for many other tests to come in life -- and, none of such tests will be eliminated any time soon.

But, I still appreciate your comment here. :)

[summer]

Re your post #8 - Thanks for your comments here, daviddennis. I think these newspapers are slowly starting to focus on the learning component of Gov. Bush's plan, and measuring this aspect is what they are having the most trouble rejecting. :)

[summer]

bttt :)

[floriduh voter]

Thanks for the ping and bttt! Jeb is having success as well in other areas that are unrelated to education, that were designed to give folks opportunities to participate in Florida's economy.

Just from listening to him, I am starting to think that Jeb's IQ qualifies him to be in the Mensa Society. People just don't realize how brainy he is because he's so informal one on one and, because he doesn't spend time bragging about himself.

He is so good with kids it's no wonder they clamor to get his autograph or have their picture taken with him.

[summer]

My pleasure, and thanks for taking the time to check out this post! :)

[summer]

Is Jeb a conservative?

Thanks for your question, KansasGirl. If you click on the link in my reply #1, you can read about his accomplishments on his web site, and decide for yourself. :)

[summer]

bttt. Thanks for your post here, FV! :)

[summer]

Thank you so much for comments and your kind words in your post #4, Movemout. I always enjoy reading your replies! :)

[summer]

...This Sunday in church this was the topic of conversation around the donuts - the newspapers are dying because they cannot really fault Jeb's education plans, and his ratings are consistantly high....

Thanks so much for your kinid words and reply #3, I still care. I see I struck a chord here!!! :)