[capecodder]

USA Today-Letters to the Editor

April 9, 1999 Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

Fla. Education Plan

For the record, I want to clarify two potentially misleading points in Walter Shapiro's column in USA TODAY on my "A+ Plan for Education" (Vouchers pass in Fla., but will schools?" Hype and Glory column, News, April 2).

Shapiro stated that private school students in Florida are not required to take the statewide assessment exam. While this is technically true, our plan requires that children in chronically failing public schools who use "Opportunity Scholarships" to attend a private school, continue to take the statewide assessment exam.

Shapiro also stated that Florida's private schools are not accredited by th state. In fact the state does not accredit any school, public or private. However, the vast majority of both public and private schools in Florida are accredited by regional accrediting organizations suth as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Furthermore, under our A+ Plan, private schools that accept Opportunity Scholarships must either become accredited or be working toward accreditation.

By requiring students using Opportunity Scholarships to continue to take the statewide assessment exam and by requiring accreditation of private schools accepting Opportunity Scholarhips, we believe that our A+ Plan is designed to determine whether they will work.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

Tallahassee, Fla.

[summer]

Well, maybe the state has suggested it to parents -- ask that the private school test the kids. But, still, it is certainly not required. In addition, the FL link I gave clearly indicates the state does not oversee accrediting of any private school. So, maybe Gov Bush is merely saying here that the state is suggesting testing (but, again, I can assure you that is not required in any private school), and, the state does require the private schools accepting vouchers to meet some standards from accrediting agencies (but, again, the state does not oversee these agencies, and this may be another reason few private schools will accept vouchers). But, very interesting letter! Thanks. :)