His Way or the Highway
Governor Bush doesn't seem to care that voters, in 2002, demanded smaller classes or that the Supreme Court, a few weeks ago, declared his voucher program unconstitutional. (The system really only works when everyone sees it His way. Otherwise, voters don't know sh*t and activist judges need to be brought down.)
Therefore, with infinite wisdom, Jeb! will push two agenda items before heading off to plan Bush World Domination. He's pressuring the Legislature to 1) make the classroom-size amendment more flexible and 2) restart his voucher program in such a way the court can't touch it.
I've got news for our (can't-wait-to-see-him-go) governor.
Smaller classroom sizes, especially in elementary schools, are essential to a good education for all our kids, especially students who struggle. Talk to some teachers - there is universal agreement on this issue! They know a thing or two about how to help our kids and were able to convey that when voters approved the law. Now reallocate some funds and get it accomplished. Enough excuses.
Secondly, take a look at some "failing" schools. Are they overcrowded? Especially, are they overcrowded with underprivileged (economically and intellectually) students? If so, then the solution isn't to pull some kids out at taxpayer expense and to hell with the rest. There are few students with parents who can place them in private schools - with or without taxpayers' help. For example, Hillsborough County had no such instances last year.
Why not focus on solutions that will actually make a positive difference for most public school students in this state? Build more schools to deal with explosive growth and hire qualified teachers to staff such schools. Not to beat a dead horse, but take a look around and do something productive.
Jeb! - your posturing hasn't solved a thing. The voters have spoken. Now get on it.
posted by kate @ 5:55 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
I read about this in the SP Times. This guy is unbelievable! I am beginning to believe that Neocons do not believe in Democracy – at least not in a Representative Constitutional Republican Democracy such as ours.
I think that they’d (Bush family, Darth Chaney, Tom Delay, etc) would rather have an aristocracy. This is becoming more and more obvious to me by their blatant disrespect for what the voters want and their powerful desires to push their own agendas.
I love the Darth Chaney ref. I hadn't heard that before...
Question: Was the "A-Plus Plan" to encourage students to fail so they could attend more prestigous private schools, or was it meant as a punishment? Why not model public schools after private school curriculm? Why such a gap between the two?
You are right on, Van. They have no respect for traditional American values except when it keeps them in power.
The A-plus plan was meant to punish "bad schools and bad teachers". There are no bad schools, just horribly overcrowded ones. The hardworking students and teachers in such schools deserve a real solution to these woes and said as much when they voted in 2002. Bush keeps fighting us every step of the way.
It is not what is actually happening that is important for Jeb (and George) it is the packaging and selling that their policies are effective and legal if left unencumbered by activist judges and ineffective legislators.
Kate - you are so right. I think, well it seems obvious to me anyway, that segregation has made a horrible comeback. The majority of schools that are struggling are in the poor mostly minority neighborhoods. And by the strangest irony the schools that are named after the black civil rights leaders (MLK, Rosa Parks) are in the worst shape.
I think that the solution is an equal distribution of funds for each school in the state. This will balance the economic disparity and allow the schools to "compete" on a more level playing field.
This is a very unpopular position, so it will need to come from the people. I wouldn't count on the legislature.
This post is so wrong on so many levels and I can't believe I didn't see it before it now. I think this deserves a full response on my blog tomorrow.
Mr. Macdonald: So right.
Mr. C - Can hardly wait.
Van: I don't think funds will help because the problem with these schools is lack of parental involvement. Without it, all the money in the world won't help. This is my solution: In elementary schools located in New Tampa for example, we take a street or two from underprivileged neighborhoods. It works for everyone. The kids with parents who value education get to benefit from a good school and so do kids who don't have that support from home. The problem is that in middle and high, there aren't enough schools to go around and those two or three streets become whole sectors. Thus the school gets overrun and becomes a D school.
Once again - we need more schools!
ok, it's up.
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