Jeb Bush scrambles to save vouchers

The Orlando Sentinal ^ | January 15, 2006 | John Kennedy

[FloridianBushFan]

TALLAHASSEE -- In his eighth and final year as the state's chief executive, Jeb Bush is back where he began -- trying to cement his claim to being Florida's "education governor."

When the state Supreme Court earlier this month struck down his private-school voucher program, it left Bush and Republican leaders scrambling not only to rescue the program but to preserve the governor's legacy.

After a series of closed-door huddles during the past week involving lawmakers and, separately, the governor and his advisers, what's emerging as a likely solution is a plan to ask Florida voters in November to change the state constitution and allow taxpayer dollars to flow to private schools.

But even supporters acknowledge that approach is risky.

Political polls have shown lukewarm support for vouchers. The proposed amendment likely would drive Democrats -- the idea's fiercest opponents -- to the polls during an election year with an open governor's race and U.S. Senate contest at stake.

The bottom line is this: The measure could lose and damage Republican political fortunes, as well.

"There's a lot of uncertainty, to be honest with you, about how to proceed," Bush said.

Bush has been the living symbol of Florida's first-in-the-nation statewide voucher program since he drove it through the Legislature during his first four months in office.

Until the high court's ruling, Bush appeared poised to use his final year in office for the already difficult task of scaling back the state's class-size amendment.

That measure, strongly backed by the state's largest teachers union, was narrowly approved in 2002 by voters even as they re-elected Bush. He campaigned against the amendment while pledging his commitment to being the state's "education governor."

[Tijeras_Slim]

I wish Jeb luck.

[capt. norm]

Even though there are indications that Jeb doesn't want to stay in politics, I'm still holding out hope that he will run for the Senate.

[NewHampshireDuo]

Dems...the party of the stoopid just wants to make kids more stoopider.

[Frank T]

"Dems...the party of the stoopid just wants to make kids more stoopider."

Me fail English? That's unpossible!

[Fawn]

Did anyone watch Stossels education special on 20/20? It was very good. Showed how other countries clean our clocks on education (We are 25th in the world)...they called American kids stupid (true)...showed how money is not the answer, how unions don't care about the kids...only money and less work, showed how they keep out all competition by knocking out vouchers, drawing boundaries, etc.... don't give kids a choice of schools...it was a very good special.

[Principled]

Vouchers seem like a good idea - allowing a degree of choice is the right direction. However, the final disposition of voucher programs will be one that controls even non-government education via voucher strings attached.

And we know what happens when government controls education.

The solution is to allow complete and unfettered acces to any school you're willing to get your kid to. Of course, schools would also have to implement gateways to admission - *gasp*.

The problem is how to fund the schools. Jefferson wanted public education to be free to the student.

I'm dreaming - but how about eliminating property taxes and funding them partially (say 50%) with a sales tax? The remainder of cost borne by the customer. Just a thought.

"That which is got too cheap is esteemed to lightly."

[YOUGOTIT]

I will vote to change the Constitution and to put out to pasture the idiot left wing judges on the Florida Supreme court who vote their left wing ideology and not the law.

[JasonC]

Here is another idea - impeach the scoflaws.

[GladesGuru]

When Gov. Bush is right, he is right. This time, he is very, very right.

The class size amendment was, is, and will always be an example of how a Constitutionally unaware electorate can allow their Constitution to be abased by the most base elements of their society.

Successful schools have been known for several thousand years. Just hie thee to the hearest yeshiva and observe how that school is operated.

Should you want some a more modern school system, observe how the Jesuits run their schools.

In both cases, note the things you don't see; no inappropriate dress, no asocial behavior, no unprepared students.

Please note that you will be aware that the students are very aware of the consequences of asocial behavior - that's why they aren't "acting out" as the NEA types like to say.

As a perfect end to his time in office, I'd like to suggest that the Governor do the following:
1. Break the teachers unions and the NEA as President Reagan did PATCO (the air traffic controllers union).
2. Ask the voters to remove the class size amendment.
3. Ask the voters to remove all the amendments such as the "pig pen" amendment which were created by special amendment groups and which do not address legitimate constitutional level issues.

By so doing,Jeb could raise himself to the level of a legitimate statesman. He could thus demonstrate his primary goals were the reduction of government intrusion into the lives of the citizens.

That was what I thought he was going to do when I voted for him.

[Brilliant]

Basically, the court tied the hands of the legislature and ensured another generation of poorly educated children.

[nonliberal]

How about impeaching judges? Ever think of that, Jeb?

[goldstategop]

Support homeschooling. Create a tax credit for parents who choose to homeschool their kids. It has none of the political difficulties associated with vouchers. And Republicans can defend parental choice vs the public education monopoly.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Unfortunately, educational change is being thwarted again by liberal courts. Vouchers should be used for all students. The original voucher plan in dubya's no child left behind was dropped to compromise with Kennedy.
The smaller class size is another teacher's union jobs security program. Studies have shown that smaller classes are only beneficial in the early grades like K-3rd. Better to focus on changing the system, teaching real courses, allowing discipline of miscreants, raising standards and hiring quality teachers.

[festus]

I have a relative who just graduated from high school are reads at the 7th grade level with math skills at the 6th grade level according to testing.

He was still able to pass the Georgia state high school exams required to prove you learned something in order to graduate.

That says all you need to know about public education and explains why my kids are going to private school, religious private school. The schools students average in the 80th percentile nationally. They don't screen applicants on intelligience they just teach em and they come from families who are interested in their education by virtue of having enrolled them.

I admit that I am "relatively well off" because I can afford the $14k/yr to send both of them. I know parents who wish they could do that but despite working hard and being fiscally responsible just can't swing it.

The state run system is a sitting duck to be nailed on violating the free excercise of religion clause because it forces parents to enroll kids in a system that directly competes against their moral and religious principles.

Vouchers are the only sane way to go.

Did I mention I was visited by a public school educator over Christmas, extended family, who griped about how schools/teachers don't get enough money but then turned around and belittled my house for being to small. If educators can buy 3000 sq ft houses they should shutup with the "I'm poor" line and teach the kids.

[conservative physics]

Can someone explain to me why if it's unconstitutional to give government money (in the form of a voucher) to parents to send their kids to the school of their choice (even a religious one).

How it isn't also unconstitutional to give government money (in the form of student loans and grants) for students to attend the college of their choice (even a religious one)?

[jbp1]

That was a good story on our system, but what Stossel did not emphasize nearly enough was how much support (read: moral backbone and dedication) it takes from parents to get a good education. Unfortunately in our current era of 'individual rights', backed by the likes of the ACLU, it only takes one bratty kid to screw the system. BTW, the local set of private schools in our area are nothing special, just marginally better than the public ones.

[Fawn]

As long as they're better and there is competition.....that's what matters.

[Frank T]

^

[GladesGuru]

What does ^ mean?