'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' -- Part 21: Jeb = Success in Education Reform

The Tampe Tribune ^ | Sept. 22, 2002 | Editorial Board, Tampa Tribune

[summer]

CLICK HERE to read a glowing editorial from THE TAMPA TRIBUNE newspaper praising Gov. Bush for his public education reforms and success in this area.

While some may think Tampa's editors should be touting their hometown candidate who opposes Jeb, Gov. Bush's outstanding efforts - and ACHIEVEMENT - in education reform are finally being recognized.

[summer]

I have been taking some time off from FR because of various demands in my personal life, but, I could not pass up the opportunity to post this particular editorial. Please bump it if you have a chance. Thanks!

[summer]

Retired Chemist, I saw that you already posted this editorial, but it only received 2 replies, so people obviously missed it. I posted again in this format in the hopes it will get more attention. Thanks for your efforts. :)

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

FYI. Please bump if you have a moment. Also, do not be offended if I have not responded to posts recenty; I am taking some time off. Thanks. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

Interesting editorial here, from The Tampa Tribune...

[summer]

Hi, Please bump if you have a moment. Thanks. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[TatieBug]

Been looking for your wonderful posts regarding Jeb and understand you have not been here...best wishes for your personal success and we've missed you lots. Haven't even read the article yet but wanted to post a personal note to you...Summer.

[summer]

This is really wonderful editorial, and hopefully, people will see it now through Election Day.

[summer]

Thanks, TatieBug. I am in the middle of a move, working again (teaching) and other things, so I just have to spend more time OFF FR than on right now. But, I wish this was not all happening 50 days before Election Day. I know Gov Bush will win this in a fair election, but I can see from glancing at some FL media that Gov Bush's outstanding record will be ignored. I am glad The Tampa Tribune did not go that road. Thanks for your post. :)

[Joe Brower]

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

A summer post! Yea! It's not right that you should leave the campaign you started so passionately all those months ago. We need your calm, reasonable, mature voice. As long as you stop by once and a while until election day! (^:

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Jeb's Outstanding Record On Education Reform

Gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride and the Democratic Party are placing their election bet squarely on education, confident they can capitalize on concern about Gov. Jeb Bush's education reforms.

The strategy makes sense. Schools largely determine the competence of the state's work force and its ability to attract high-paying jobs. Employment and crime rates are directly linked to the success of schools. Education is an issue that affects everyone, not just parents of school-age children.

Much of the education establishment, especially the teacher unions, and more than a few parents are unhappy with the dramatic changes Bush has implemented. The governor has moved quickly, not always troubling himself with consensus building.

But if the governor has stirred up controversy and resentment, he also has effected the overhaul he promised when campaigning for office. Schools now are judged according to how well students perform on standardized tests. Schools that are successful are rewarded. Those that fail are required to make changes.

The transition has not always been smooth, but the results are far from the disaster the Democrats depict.

Indeed, Bush and Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan, who has played a central role in the reforms, are not shrinking from the education debate. And they can point to some impressive numbers.

Consider: Since Bush took office, spending for K-12 education has increased by $3 billion, a 27 percent increase in total funding. Student population has increased by only 10.5 percent. Per-student funding has increased by $736, or 15.1 percent.

A frequent complaint is that the Bush plan is unfair to schools with a high percentage of poor minority students, who lack the academic background of middle-class students.

But the governor counters that the ''prime beneficiaries'' of his drive to make schools accountable are blacks and Hispanics.

Consider this: Black fifth-graders meeting and surpassing the proficiency level on the FCAT math test increased from 10 percent in 1998 to 32 percent in 2002. Hispanic fifth-graders meeting or surprassing that level improved from 22 percent in 1998 to 52 percent in 2002.

Likewise, black fifth-graders receiving the lowest level on the FCAT math test decreased from 65 percent in 1998 to 34 percent in 2002. Hispanic fifth-graders scoring in the lowest level decreased from 46 percent in 1998 to 18 percent.

Some other encouraging achievements: The number of minority students in advanced placement courses increased 13.7 percent over the past two years. The number of black students receiving Bright Futures scholarships to college has increased 36 percent over the past two years. Hispanic students receiving the scholarships have increased 41 percent during that time.

These results do not appear to be an accident. The Bush-Brogan plan mandates that all students, regardless of background or economic status, be given the academic tools necessary for a successful life.

Moreover, the plan provides extra resources to help educators reach the students who score poorly on the test and need special help.

The Key To Academic Success

Another component of the administration effort is the Just Read, Florida program, which emphasizes training educators, parents and volunteers in the most effective methods to teach reading, the key to all academic success. Its great goal is to have all Florida students reading at grade level or above by 2012. Similarly, the education plan has eliminated the practice of social promotion, so students must master basic reading skills in the early grades.

And to those who say the reforms have forced educators to view students solely as test takers, Gov. Bush responds that ''what FCAT is tracking directly ties to what they need to know.''

McBride, well-versed on the needs of schools and exceptionally close to the teacher unions, can be counted on to forcefully highlight shortcomings in the administration's efforts. But Bush can point to results, and the Democrats' education strategy may not be quite the cakewalk they anticipate.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

That's a great website...especially the comments at the Floridians for Jeb link. (^:

[I_be_tc]

Bump for Summer and JEB

[JulieRNR21]

Thank you so much for calling attention to this great editorial......BTW....so happy to have you back making these grat threads!!!!!

Lots of good material in this editorial that FL Freepers can highlight in their own LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of their local newspapers.

Remember FL Freepers we have to inform fellow Floridians of Jeb's accomplishments as so much of the FL media is bi-assed!

[Joe Brower]

Julie, your little smiley guy here...

...reminds me think of this:

[Joe Brower]

reminds me think of this = reminds me of this

Hmmmm... Dunno about sugar, but it appears I need some coffee!

[Truth Addict]

BUMP for the governor who has achieved much real success in educational reform:

Jeb Bush!

(as compared to his opponent who only knows how to appease the teacher's unions).

[Amore]

Wow, the Tampa Tribune! Great, thanks for posting, summer. Hope things settle down for you.