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

[beckett]

Thanks for bringing this excellent new program to my attention, summer. I appreciate it.

[summer]

beckett, My pleasure. And, my heartfelt thanks to you for posting! :)

[floriduh voter]

I read Rob's little tirade. He sounds like he's a tad radical. He is taking on the power company? Obviously, this guy feels personally threatened by private schools to attempt to take such drastic measures to prove his point. Shutting off the electricity. lol Like I always say, the libs always get lost in the details and miss the big picture every time. This Rob is a big baby. bttt I think I have his email address if anybody wants to email him after they read his Florida Power/President Teacher's Union link regarding shutting off the electricity.

[VA Advogado]

Bump for Summer! Florida's best

[floriduh voter]

One final thought on Rob, I bet when he was a kid, if he didn't get his way, he held his breath until he turned blue. That is EXACTLY how he acts. Very histrionic.

[Lizavetta]

Here are the requirements of voucher taking schools:

FloridaChild will award scholarships to help children attend any nonpublic school that wishes to admit them, provided that the school is located in Florida, offers an education to students in any grades K-12, and meets the following conditions:

a. Complies with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d.
b. Meets state and local health and safety laws and codes.
c. Complies with all state laws relating to the general regulation of nonpublic schools.
d. Demonstrates fiscal soundness by being in operation for one school year, or provides the Florida Department of Education with a statement by a certified public accountant confirming that the nonpublic school is insured and the owner or owners have sufficient capital or credit to operate the school for the upcoming year serving the number of students anticipated with expected revenues from tuition and other sources that may be reasonably expected. In lieu of such a statement, a surety bond or letter of credit for the amount equal to the scholarship funds for any quarter may be filed with the Department.

I am leery of these generic, wholesome-sounding regulations, especially when one considers what the govt. schools now sneak into the "health", "safety" and "antidiscrimination" department.

Take item (a), "complies with antidiscrimination provisions of...." Who are voucher taking schools prohibited from discriminating against? Teachers who bring their gayness, marxism, anti-Americanism, etc. into the classroom? Can the school refuse to hire transvestites? Do they have to use affirmative action?

Item (b) speaks of "health and safety laws and codes". As you know, an awful lot of liberal and sexual **** has invaded classrooms safely labeled "health" and "safety" issues. Sexual instruction (health) and homosexuality normalizing (safety) is rampant in many schools today. Are the voucher taking schools required to adopt this curricula?

If I've learned anything these past eight years, it's to read between the lines. I'd love to read the ACTUAL HANDBOOK that the schools receive, and the ACTUAL CHANGES schools have had to make in order to become a voucher school, not the government's nicey-nicey description.

[katherineisgreat]

Thanks summer! Vouchers are a good thing. mostly those who oppose them dont do it on practical grounds but for political reasons, and the kids suffer it's sick. here in balto where the schools are terrible wont have vouchers b/c their failing system is too precious.. it's a mess.

[RightOnline]

Bump for an EXCELLENT post.

[Lizavetta]

And abortion......are voucher taking schools required to have Planned Parenthood speakers as part of "health" for girls? Anti-nukes speakers as part of "safety"?

[summer]

Lizavetta, There are some requirements, as stated, but I am not sure at all what you think exists between the lines here. There may be something I don't know about, but, if it was anything material, I am sure they would have posted it on that site I gave you -- why not post it, since schools want to know that information?

You could email someone at the FL Dept of Ed if you want to request more info about this program, or whatever book you think exists.

Also, I know some private schools in FL do not sign up for voucher programs, perhaps for the reasons you are alluding to.

[summer]

As for what you are suggesting in your post #69, I can tell you don't live in FL! No --I highly doubt that FL is telling ANY private schools ANYTHING like that! :)

[summer]

Re-reading your post #66, Lizavetta, I will tell you one thing I know private schools would have to do: make sure they have a ramp for anyone to enter the building by wheelchair. And, as for a homosexual agenda, you are talking about a state here where it is illegal to adopt a child if you are gay or bisexual! So, no, I don't think FL is requiring the "homosexual agenda" in any private school!

[summer]

"Safety" usuallt means there has to be compliance with all fire codes in the school, and two exits at least. It does not mean anyone is invited to speak at a school. FL is not like that with respect to private schools. I hope you will email the person on that web site and ask her your questions and request a book. I am certain you will be surprised at how different the facts are from what you are imagining here. Maybe what you suggets would happen in another state, like CA -- but not in FL!

[summer]

usallt= usually

[summer]

Also, Lizavetta -- the actual FL legislation about this voucher program is available here, in a PDF file you can download:

FL Legislation

[summer]

Finally, Lizavetta, Request a handbook or whatever book, here, by emailing someone on the FL Dept of Ed Commissioner's staff:

FL Dept of Ed Contact and Email List

And, post here again after you find out what you really wanted to know, so we can all learn!!!! :)

[summer]

Bump for an EXCELLENT post.

Thank YOU, ROL!!! :)

[Free the USA]

Bump List

[summer]

Re your post #67 - Thanks for your post, and sorry to hear that about Baltimore!!!

[summer]

Thanks, FTU! :)