[Truth Addict]

Why are the politicians NOT talking more about these kind of issues in this FL election year?

Hopefully, as we get closer to the elections, we will hear more about this issue from the candidates. You are doing a fine job of educating us here on FR and elsewhere about the progress that Jeb has made here in Florida. He should hire you to advise his campaign!

Having said that, I really believe that many of the needed changes can and must be made on the local level. School superintendents, school boards, and administrators need to listen to what teachers and parents are saying, and change policies based on those recommendations. Politicians and teachers unions have their own agendas that often are at odds with what is best for the students. The best thing lawmakers can do is to pass laws that allow local school districts set policies that are in the best interests of students, and not try to micro-manage school policy.

[summer]

LOL...thanks for your kind words, Truth Addict!

BTW, Gov. Bush has passed a law giving local school districts more flexibility in their spending.

And, I agree with you -- in theory -- that change should come from the local level, but I must tell you: in a non-partisian Public Agenda survey, a full 70% of teachers said they believe are not heard at the local level.

I have seen decisions made in school districts that go against what the teachers, parents and students want. School boards and administrators often do what only they want.

For example, it's very frustrating to watch an entire community protest a decision to spend $14 million to build more administrative office buildings, instead of spending that money on students and teachers -- and see 5 people on the Board of Ed say to a community: Too bad, tough luck, we are spending that money on new offices anyway.

I don't know how this changes -- I guess we wait until the next election.