A Political Approach on Reforming Schools (FL)

St. Petersburg Times ^ | 5 December 2010 | Editorial

[Jacquerie]

Contrary to what is best for students, Florida Republicans are once again drawing battle lines over education reform. Gov.-elect Rick Scott fell into the trap last week by appointing an education transition team tilted against traditional public schools and in favor of private schools and tuition vouchers.

Scott's education transition team is packed with advocates for private school vouchers, charter schools and changes in teacher tenure. Scott's team includes Michelle Rhee, the controversial former Washington, D.C., school chancellor credited with ending teacher tenure there, and John Kirtley, a voucher advocate who has had repeated success in expanding the state's program for low-income students.

[Jacquerie]

Governor-elect Rick Scott has the moonbats screaming.

In case anyone was wondering what Michelle Rhee was up to . . . heh, heh.

I think Scott and a our overwhelming conservative legislature will make lots of headlines in 2011.

[wendy1946]

This is good news. There is basically no such thing as winning any sort of a culture war while sending your children off to the enemy for indoctrination.

[Tax-chick]

an education transition team tilted against traditional public schools and in favor of private schools and tuition vouchers.

Good on 'em! And accusations of being "political" from Democrats are hypocritical and ridiculous. Anything to do with government-run schools is political; it goes without saying.

[bill1952]

Please.
The Saint Petersburg Times is so far left that it would be thrown out of the St. Petersburg in Russia today.

[screaminsunshine]

The Democrat Party is a criminal enterprise promoted by the MSM. SP Times is a Communist Front.

[Kellis91789]

Sounds like an excellent start. These public school advocates just don’t get it. Poor student performance is always somebody else’s fault — it couldn’ possibly be the teacher’s fault. Why would Scott put the people who caused the problem in charge of fixing it ? The mind boggles.

What was it Obama said ? Something about elections having consequences ? Why do liberals always think they deserve a place at the table when they are in the minority, but lock out conservatives when they are in the majority ? Their arrogance is stunning.

[davidosborne]

lol stocking up on popcorn for this one.... more to follow from the loony left I am sure..... As for my fellow FReepers who think that I only post what I don't like about Rick Scott... It certainly appears that he will be getting 2 thumbs up from me on his choice of Michelle Rhee... we must not take our eyes of the bigger picture and that is the FRS IMHO. David

[ravenwolf]

Its about time they start doing something that is unsocial ism, good going Scott.

[Aevery_Freeman]

What, and risk exposing our precious children to free-market capitalism! How on earth do you expect them to grow up and take their rightful place in the entitlement society we have created.

Are you trying to create a bunch of free-thinkers! < /SARC>

[Senator John Blutarski]

Translation - We’re outraged! How dare you use our own tactics against us???

[Tax-chick]

risk exposing our precious children to free-market capitalism

Why, they might get *jobs* when they grow up, if we do that!

[Pollster1]

Contrary to what is best for students, Florida Republicans are once again drawing battle lines over education reform. Gov.-elect Rick Scott fell into the trap last week by appointing an education transition team tilted against traditional public schools and in favor of private schools and tuition vouchers.

The writer could have made his point more clearly: "Contrary to what is best for the Teacher's Unions, Florida Republicans are once again drawing battle lines over education reform. Gov.-elect Rick Scott chose a kid=friendly strategy last week by appointing an education transition team focused exclusively on meeting the needs of Florida's students . . ."

[mek1959]

Spot on comment

[Aevery_Freeman]

Don’t worry, the ‘Rats are working on extending the antidote for jobs (Unemployment Insurance) as we type.

[stefanbatory]

or even worse! they might turn into job creators! The horror!

[livius]

Sounds good to me! Michelle Rhee had actually started to make headway in DC, but I guess she was too much of a threat to the status quo.

[GILTN1stborn]

Re: The ST Petersburg times...

LOL! I always tell them they are way too liberal when they call wanting to give me the paper “free”. I like your line better!

[SECURE AMERICA]

What is best for our childrens education is that it is taken away from the unions and federal government control and given back to the parents.
You could not pay me to have a child in the government run schools..

[klgator]

I live in Florida, and my girlfriend is a teacher in the public school system. The ones who were the most vocal against SB 6 were the teachers. As the article says, "Teacher pay would be based on students' learning gains, even though there was not yet a proven system for measuring those gains." That's just one aspect of it. Another is, in the business world you can change the people under you; in the public school system you play the cards dealt you. If the parents are not involved in the students' education, what chance for success does the teacher have?
To rush SB 6 would be tantamount to doing what we accuse liberals of always doing, acting out of feelings and not considering the unintended consequences.

[davidosborne]

I have an idea to really put the screws to the public indoctrination system but it would require all homeschooled as well as private schooled kids to “register” for the public school they are zoned for and call the school informing them that they require a seat in the classroom.... there is no way ANY school would be able to comply with this demand