While Lutz republican senator John Legg is justifiably being complemented by many teachers this morning for the improvements to Florida’s test-based accountability system he managed in SB 616, he subtly revealed that Jeb Bush still holds far too much sway … Continue reading
Nobody really knew that Tampa republican senator Tom Lee felt as he did on Florida’s high-stakes testing regime until yesterday when he took to the senate floors made these comments during debate on SB 616: Senator Lee: We’ve gotten an … Continue reading
In late filings to SB 616, sponsor Senator John Legg added a provision which brought the bill closer to the House version and Senator Alan Hays – along with a Democrat co-sponsor, Senator Bill Montford – resubmitted his clear language … Continue reading
The political arm of Florida’s voucher program have long scoffed at the idea that it’s program, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, didn’t take money away from public schools. Maybe not directly, but Rick Scott’s recent proposal to increase property … Continue reading
Niceville senator Don Gaetz knows better, but the live TV opportunity was too good to pass up. When FEA vice president Joanne McCall testified earlier this month that teachers weren’t generally against testing, Gaetz retorted that the FEA hasn’t supported … Continue reading
Journalist turned Step Up for Students (SUFS) executive Ron Matus is touting that they already have “started” applications for over 100,000 students for Florida’s tax credit scholarship voucher system. Some sketchy counting got them in hot water during the last legislative session, … Continue reading
At some point, the Republican-dominated Florida senate was going to be able to impose their will on expanding Florida’s voucher system. Few legislators have fought against what’s now become a clear effort by Republican lawmakers to eliminate public schools as … Continue reading
After referring to themselves as “veteran observers of the political Animal House that is Tallahassee,” the editors of the Orlando Sentinel write: No doubt, Sen. Bill Galvano was in full John “Bluto” Blutarsky mode when he slipped language at the eleventh … Continue reading
Writing in the Gainesville Sun, Alachua County School Board member Eileen Roy points to the numerous contradictions that school vouchers and their legislative enablers cannot resolve: These schools have little to no accountability and are not required to have certified teachers. … Continue reading
The editors of the Tampa Bay Times conclude: The Senate wisely tabled its bill weeks ago, and noticeably missing from the House bill is the one thing Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, had suggested would be his priority: better assessment … Continue reading
