'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' -- Part 16: A young FL homeschooler's interview with FL's Fabulous Gov

The St Petersburg Times ^ | May 20, 2002 | Intro by summer; Interview by Autumn Siegel

[summer]

Note to FR:

I was so moved by reading "My Adventure in Miami with President Bush" -- the recent essay written by Andrew, FR's own 15 year-old writer who posts as "walrus954" -- that I was inspired to turn over my space here to another talented young writer.

Consequently, Andrew, and everyone else, please say hello to: Autumn Siegel, a FL homeschooler who recently interviewed Gov. Bush.

I hope you all enjoy this interview, below. (I know I did!)

Sincerely,

summer :) -- a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher


FL homeschool student and budding journalist, Autumn Siegel, left, along
with a FL newspaper staff member, at a journalism conference --
as explained HERE.

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Monday, May 20, 2002
St. Petersburg Times



An online interview with Governor Bush

By Autumn Siegel

As a homeschooled student enrolled in the Florida Virtual School, the online high school that has served students across the state for the past four years, I got the chance to interview Gov. Jeb Bush online for the Virtual School's newspaper, News in a Click. (Darn it, no photo op when you interview by computer!)

We talked about lots of issues that affect young people in Florida, from education to teenage smoking to politics. Here is an edited version of our conversation:

AUTUMN: Growing up in a political family, when did you decide that this would be the area that you would go into? What other fields had you considered?

GOV. BUSH: I first got involved in politics to help my dad, whom I truly love. I overcame my fears of speaking in public and began to understand the joys of service by watching my dad in his public service. In 1993 I decided to make the leap. I had been in the private sector until then.

AUTUMN: Has it been difficult to maintain your own identity instead of just being one of "the Bush boys?"

GOV. BUSH: I stopped worrying about what people think a while back and now focus on how I can serve and help others.

AUTUMN: Integrity is an important quality for all of humanity, but especially those who have achieved celebrity status as political figures. What suggestions do you have for the next generation of voters who are exposed to negative campaigning and apparent lack of morality on the part of some elected officials?

GOV. BUSH: Say what you are going to do and do what you said you would do. Don't veer from principle. Be honest with yourself. Show humility. Fight hard but fight fair.

AUTUMN: What do you think of such government-based shows as NBC's The West Wing? Do you feel that these give an accurate portrayal of political life?

GOV. BUSH: I don't watch The West Wing.

AUTUMN: The SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) program, which was founded under the Chiles administration, received a considerable budget cut in October, with a large portion of that money being redistributed to enhance road development. Do you think that it will be important to restore the funds for this program?

GOV. BUSH: The tobacco program is doing fine. We are spending $39-million. That was what was being spent last year. That is a lot of dough!

AUTUMN: If funding is not able to be replaced, what are some of the initiatives that can be taken to continue efforts to decrease youth smoking?

GOV. BUSH: Teen smoking is down in our state, which is a good thing.

AUTUMN: There has been a considerable amount of media coverage on the recent cell-phone controversy facing school districts across America. Some believe that students should be allowed to keep these devices on campus as long as they are not turned on; others protest that the phones are too much of a distraction. Where do you stand and why?

GOV. BUSH: I have not followed the issue, but now I will!

AUTUMN: Due to increased security after Sept. 11, do you think that there has been a decrease in youth involvement in the government, such as the TeenPact program for Christian homeschoolers, or the Senate page program?

GOV. BUSH: I have not noticed a decline in youth involvement. In fact, I think there has been more civic involvement than before that I hope can be sustained.

AUTUMN: Why do you think it is important to support the Florida Virtual School?

GOV. BUSH: It has the potential of helping to redefine education. It is student-centered and can be used in so many ways . . . remediation, honors-AP (advanced placement) classes for students who can't access them, etc.

AUTUMN: Do you think online learning would have been beneficial when you were growing up, or perhaps would have benefited your children?

GOV. BUSH: Gosh, I am so old I can remember black-and-white televisions! Online learning would have been very useful to me.

AUTUMN: Do you think the Virtual School will be able to issue diplomas to its students in the near future?

GOV. BUSH: I hope so.

AUTUMN: Many critics argue that Florida Virtual School is not an effective educational medium because of the lack of interaction among students and faculty. However, AP scores among Virtual School students exceed the national average by nearly 9 percent. What is your comment about this apparent contradiction?

GOV. BUSH: The Virtual School is not for everyone. But it is a good means to accelerate learning for kids who don't need as much attention.

AUTUMN: I am sure that you are aware of the teacher shortage facing Florida. What would you say to high schoolers or college students to encourage them to pursue a career in education?

GOV. BUSH: The laws of supply and demand apply to the teaching profession. There will be great opportunities in teaching in the next decade. Teaching is a very noble profession.

AUTUMN: What factors influenced your decision to attend the college that you did?

GOV. BUSH: I went to high school in the northeast U.S. and wanted to go back home, so I attended the University of Texas.

AUTUMN: What is something that you now know that you wish you would have known while in school?

GOV. BUSH: I know now not to be in quite the rush I was in back then. I graduated in 21/2 years.

AUTUMN: Your mother seems to be a pretty amazing woman. What is the most important piece of advice that she gave you, and have you shared this with your own children?

GOV. BUSH: Love my wife and children more than life itself. That is easy to do.

AUTUMN: What advice would you give to the siblings of particularly high achievers?

GOV. BUSH: Work hard.

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FL's hard working governor, Jeb Bush, online in the
interview above -- and working at Orlando's Dr. Phillips High School,
where he answered questions from Florida students.

[summer]

I think the young lady asked some good questions and Jeb gave her good answers.

I agree with you, al_possum39. And, thank you so much for taking the time to check this thread! :)

[summer]

I don't think you can accurately call it a public school, since it does not issue diplomas, and it offers courses not available in public schools. It is, however, an accredited distance learning school, and it serves students in all areas -- homeschool students, private school students and public school students, if they want to take any of the online courses offered. In addition, it is not required of any homeschooled student in this state, though many choose it. A high school diploma would be obtained from the local high school, not from this online school. Some additional information is available HERE.

I think it is just terrific that FL offers this for free to every high school student in FL. If you are a high school student attending whatever educational environment, and you want to take Advanced Placement classes, for instance, you can take such classes online, without having to attend a classroom. And, these AP classes are certainly given substantial consideration in a student's application for college.

[summer]

I thought you might be interested in this Part 16, and in posts #200 and #202. :)

[summer]

Hi rube, I thought you might enjoy reading this Part 16.

BTW, if you happen to know any Dem teachers, tell them this true story from me: My friends, who are on the LEFT, no longer vote Dem for one reason -- homeschooling.

Usually they vote Green in elections whenever a Green is running, but when a Green candidate is not running, well, they still won't vote Dem. So, they are considering a GOP gov candidate this year -- the one who supports their decision to educate their children via homeschooling, and supports their 24 hour round the clock devotion to their children. That candidate's name is Jeb Bush.

Yes, voting GOP for FL gov will be new for them, but no more votes for Dems who will not support homeschooling.

So, in short -- remember to tell any Dem teachers you know: my friends who said this consider themselves to be on the LEFT. They care about homeschooling because their lives center around homeschooling. And, it looks like Gov. Bush is getting their vote, unless a Green enters the race.

[ClaireSolt]

Beats me. A radio commentator says that Bush has gimmied scores to show more improvement than there is. I am sure that it is politically difficult to close schools in black neighborhoods with black, union teachers ready and able to bring in Jesse or Al Sharpton.

I don't see gains commensurate with expense in third grade classes limited to 15 students. Gains are about 10% versus 100% increase in cost.

In Texas, George Bush retrained teachers, has that been tried here, yet?

[kinganamort]

posted and linked to on front page www.repunk.com in new section

[summer]

Wow! Great -- thank you, kinganammort. I will certainly make sure I visit your site, at www.repunk.com

Hey, I just checked it out on the left sidebar! That looks TERRIFIC! And so does your re-designed homepage! Gosh, you are talented!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[summer]

I thought you might enjoy this interview. :)

[summer]

In Texas, George Bush retrained teachers, has that been tried here, yet?

Yes, that is happening now, as teachers in FL will now be retrained for reading.

As for the difference in reading and writing scores -- I have noticed that writing scores are often higher than reading scores. IMO, this is because a student has an easier time grasping the fundamentals of writing, because in teaching writing to these elementary students, you can actually teach them where to use certain words and phrases in an introduction and a conclusion, how to organize the essay, etc.

But, in teaching reading, you have to teach the students skills not as easily grasped by some students, because they have to comprehend what they read. And, this means they must understand information implied in what they read. They often do not. One of the reasons is because many students have a very limited vocabulary, and can not ascertain the meaning of text.

But, when they write, they are choosing their own words, and using an organizational pattern they have learned; while teaching reading, and reorganizing that schema in their head, and adding new vocabulary, is much more difficult. Hence, lower reading scores. That is my theory, but I only have a MA, not a PhD like you! :)

[summer]

FYI -- Just Read, FL!

[Calvert Cliffs Cafe]

BUMP for some good background info and Jeb's no nonsense attitude too.

[summer]

Thank you for your comments and kind words here, Calvert Cliffs Cafe! I really appreciate that you took the time to check out this post. :)

[summer]

For index. Hopefully, it will work this time!

[summer]

FYI. This Part 16 is the newest part of my series about Gov. Bush. :)

[Reactionary]

Thank you. :)

[summer]

My pleasure. And, thank YOU, Reactionary! I appreciate your post. :)

[summer]

FYI, in case you missed this. :)

[Jennifer in Florida]

Thanks for the ping, Summer. Florida Virtual School sounds wonderful!

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

Pablo, I don't know if you saw this Part 16, but I thought you might enjoy it! :)