The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 11: How Jeb's Newest, 3rd Voucher Program Helps Low-Income Students

FAQS from www.floridachild.org ^ | Feb. 28, 2002 | summer

[summer]

Gov. Jeb Bush actively listens to a FL student.

The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 11:

How Jeb's Newest, 3rd Scholarship/Voucher Program Helps Low-Income Students

Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher

As you may already know from some of my previous FR posts, my first teaching position was in an inner-city, FL public school.
While filled with hope and enthusiasm when I began teaching, being in such a school broke my heart in several ways. First, I knew the majority of my students were reading 2-4 years below their grade level.

And, I had one student, "Cheri," a 10-year old girl who was reading far above her grade level. Cheri's academic success kept me awake at night as much as the other students' academic problems -- because there was only so much I could do, as a teacher, to keep her challenged in a classroom where she was obviously very much alone.

Although Cheri was black and low income like her classmates, none of them had said to me, as she did: (1) future plans included medical school, (2) becoming a doctor was her goal, and (3) what did I think of these medical schools she was researching?

What more could I do for Cheri? What more...

If I suggested placing her in the next grade level in this public school, she would be in a higher grade - but stuck in a classroom where the majority of students were still reading 2-4 years below grade level.

If I tried to refer her to a gifted program, well, there was none in this public school. Furthermore, all the inner-city elementary public schools nearby also lacked gifted programs.

Outside these inner-city schools, a gifted program in a public school might have been an option; and, this city had good public transportation -- but such transportation was a substantial added expense for Cheri's family.

Because of her family's low income, a private school was not an option.

A private school scholarship might be possible -- but to help her get one, she'd need to be tested for gifted. Her gifted testing score could then be used to provide justification for a private school scholarship.

However, to obtain a gifted test score for Cheri, I had to go through the current public school system.

The 'system' was not set up to serve students like Cheri. The school's attitude seemed to be:

We need Cheri in this school because: (a) her test scores are always high, and she brings up the school's average score. And (b) if she tests as gifted, the only result is frustration, since there is no public school nearby with a gifted program. Finally: (c) if she leaves, we lose money.

So - if she'll fail gifted testing, we'll set up testing. But you think if she may qualify as gifted, then, forget it.

I tried, but Cheri was never tested for gifted while I was her teacher, and I don't know if she ever was tested.

But, on Jan. 1, 2002, a new, 3rd scholarship/voucher program, known as "The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program" and signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush, became effective.

In my opinion as a teacher, this is the first program to recognize the existence of students like Cheri, even though I believe there is at least one "Cheri" in every grade level at every inner-city public school.

Cheri has until March 31, 2002 to apply for this program for next year.

She does not need to be in an "F" rated, failing public school to qualify for this scholarship. Nor does she need to be tested for gifted. She qualifies by her family's income level.

Cheri's parents -- like parents of other FL students, including 18,000 in one FL school district - are now eligible for several options in this program.

They can obtain $500, for transportation costs, for Cheri to attend any public school. Perhaps they will choose a public school, farther from home, that has a gifted program. Or, a public school where there are many more students already at or above grade level, so that Cheri's not so alone.

Or, they can obtain a maximum of $3,500, for Cheri to attend a private school. This money covers the cost of tuition, books and transportation.

Like all students at certain private schools, Cheri would also have to pass any entrance exam such schools require of their students -- but I know she could pass, and with flying colors!

This new scholarship/voucher program is funded by corporate payments made to to state-approved organizations that administer these scholarships to the parents, and 100% of this corporate money goes to funding the student's scholarship.

In exchange for this corporate payment, the corporation receives a dollar for dollar tax reduction in corporate income tax, up to 75% of the taxes due to Tallahassee.

The first $5 million corporate contribution to FL's new "Corporate Credit Tax Scholarship Program" was recently made by the FL real estate developer,, WCI Communications.

Another $5 million contribution was then made by Florida Power and Light -- much to the chargrin of the Pinellas County Teachers Union President, who seriously suggested the school district "recoup" by shutting off the lights and power in the school district -- leaving students outside (or, I guess, in the dark).

The FL Legislature capped the total sum that can be donated to this scholarship/voucher program, by all FL corporations, at $50 million. So a chunk of corporate tax money continues to go to Tallahassee.

All in all, I believe this is a great program, and my belief is based in part on the fact that I really did have a student, in 4th grade, just as I described to you -- and I truly did go through a lot of frustration in an effort to help her.

The way I see it, some people seem to forget that the FL State Constitution requires FL to provide an "equal" education to every FL public school student.

Because this scholarship/voucher program enables Cheri, and other students, to choose either a better public school or a private school, I don't see this program as "draining money" from public schools. Certain public schools may well gain students.

Consequently, I think those who truly advocate for ALL students - including gifted students ignored by some public schools - should enthusiastically support Gov. Bush's newest scholarship/voucher program.

My former student, "Cheri," and other low-income, bright students like her, have long been at the head of their public school classes; yet, ironically, these students are often 'left behind' as well.


Gov. Jeb Bush's newest scholarship/voucher program is funded by
corporate tax credits. Here, he addresses a well-known FL tax-watch organization.

--------------------------------

For more information about these new, FL "Corporate Tax Credit Scholaship" vouchers -- also known as
"FloridaChild Scholarships" when the administrating organization is FloridaChild.org -- click here.

[summer]

You're welcome. I knew you would appreciate additional information, being the astute think you are.

[summer]

think = thinker

[summer]

And, for anyone reading this who is confused, just for the record: you pinged ME. I did NOT ping you, even though you sound like a cry baby now.

[summer]

Oops. Sorry. My mistake. You pinged mafree. I just made the mistake of trying to help. NEVER MIND! Really. mafree, here.
He pinged you on a post on another thread. I should have never responded with an offer of info! Sometimes I am too nice, and then, I get into a mess like this, with an ungrateful person who can only criticize. MY MISTAKE!!!!

[nanny]

We do pay entirely too much for an education system that doesn't work. I just do not see how vouchers are going to help the system itself. I am not a fan of the public school system, but we, as taxpayers, are paying a tremendous amount of money for something that is not working. We have this huge black hole that is literally bankrupting some and, yes, taking seniors homes, and instead of making it work, we are going to just leave it intact to continue to suck us dry and give big tax breaks and dollars to others. Why don't we just demand these schools begin to work. Do we not know the problems? If I were another country looking at this very wealthy and supposedly educated country and hear everyone say our education system doesn't work, so we are not going to change it, we are going to just start something new, and expensive as well, I would wonder just how intelligent that country could be.

How does giving some more of our money to people to send their children to private schools, help the system. These private schools, by the way, will eventually be under the same mandates as public schools. Anyone who thinks the government is going to allow tax dollars to go to anything and not control it just hasn't been looking for the past 30 years. IT may work really well for some people (who will fit the guidelines) for a short period of time. Then the government or special interest groups pushing the government will decide the private schools are not teaching enough tolerance and then the threats of no more tax dollars will be made to these schools.

Everytime I read anything about the voucher system, I hear it is to help low-income and inner city children. This sort of leaves many of us holding the bag and paying for both the horrible public schools and perhaps, for now, the better private schools, while possibly not being able to avail ourselves of the benefits.<

[summer]

This sort of leaves many of us holding the bag and paying for both the horrible public schools and perhaps, for now, the better private schools, while possibly not being able to avail ourselves of the benefits.

Several others on FR have said this. Thanks for your post.

[Temple Owl]

We do pay entirely too much for an education system that doesn't work. I just do not see how vouchers are going to help the system itself. I am not a fan of the public school system, but we, as taxpayers, are paying a tremendous amount of money for something that is not working. We have this huge black hole that is literally bankrupting some and, yes, taking seniors homes, and instead of making it work, we are going to just leave it intact to continue to suck us dry and give big tax breaks and dollars to others. Why don't we just demand these schools begin to work.

You are so right! We are over-paying for an education system that does not work. The cost ranges from about $8,000 to $15,000 in school districts in my Pennsylvania county. Much of that is due to the building of Taj Mahal type schools and elaborate salaries negotiated by the teachers' union. Too many of our schools have expensive under-used libraries (learning centers) manned by highly paid librarians. Olympic-sized swimming pools, elaborate sports stadiums, and elementary school gym teachers, some of whom are making $180,000 for 190 days work. The public school nurses earn more than do most hospital nurses and they have Christmas off. Giving families moderate ( read about $3,500) vouchers to send kids to private schools would keep them out of public schools. This means fewer high priced teachers and probably no more new buildings.

The reason residents are losing their homes is because of outrageous taxes. Vouchers would mean less kids in public schools. And it is important to note that it would get many deserving children out of a crummy learning environment.

I would support vouchers if for no other reason than because the greedy, deep-pocketed, left- wing, liberal, democrat teachers' union is against them.

[Tribune7]

Vouchers will ultimately save a lot of money in education, while increasing the quality.

But even if it doesn't it will be worth the cost. No longer will have parent see his child inflicted with a horrible teacher -- or classmates -- for 190 days. Vouchers will provide the opportunity to remove the child from a particular hellish setting, even if every other class in every other grade in the school district is performing as it should.

[Temple Owl]

marvelous!

[Temple Owl]

I think it's best if taxpayers get a refund of their tax dollars and decide for themselves how they want to use those funds in educating their children. It can't be simpler than that.

I'll buy that!

[summer]

Thanks! :)

[Temple Owl]

My suggestion is to refund taxpayers in the form of an Educational Tax Credit - ie, a return of your tax dollars which were apportioned for education - and to dismantle the leftist indocrination centers known as public education. Give parents their money back and let them decide.

I believe what you say sounds very good. I am not trying to be argumentative. But right now the entire community pays for the education of America's children. I think you are saying that the government should give tax refunds to everybody--even people who have no children or whose kids are out of school. How do we get the educational tax credit to the families who need it without involving those people?

Home schooling is certainly a wonderful option, but even there, too many parents are not capable of taking on such an important obligation.

One sincere person posted a suggestion that we should fix the public schools. That, unfortunately is not likely to happen. I remember being shocked about a half century ago when it was reported that many of the graduating seniors in Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin High School could not read or write. Things have not changed, and it not because parents and concerned citizens did not try to solve the problem, because they did.Many seniors at Benjamin Franklin and other Philadelphia high schools are still illiterate. I want all of America's children to be the best educated in the world at the lowest possible cost.

That is the reason I am in favor of vouchers at least on a pilot program.

And once again, remember the left-wing, liberal NEA is also against vouchers. There is a reason for it.

[Temple Owl]

No, the current system is not working, but your previous post certainly has good possibilities. I think your plan would work if you could get our brilliant solons to figure it out. Best of luck.

[summer]

Please forgive my indulgence here, as I am pinging my JEB! list to all 25 threads JUST THIS ONE TIME, on this ONE day so close to the end of Campaign 2002.

I did so in the hope you will simply bump your FAVORITE thread!

I read somewhere that positive news about a candidate at the very last minute will sway an undecided voter to vote for that candidate.

Consequently, this is a one-time, last minute, push -- so please do bump a thread.

Who knows, your bump may be the one that an undecided lurker sees! And, every vote does count.

Thanks for your help here! :)

[kinganamort]

ELECTION BUMP
GO JEB

www.repunk.com