Jeb Bush’s Foundation Grades Legislators on Education Reform Policy

Posted on July 18, 2015July 18, 2015 by Sue Legg

Education Now reports that the Foundation for Florida’s Future has released its grades for legislators. They are based on their support for the Bush/ALEC school privatization agenda.

As you know, Jeb Bush made his mark in Florida with his advocacy for charter schools and vouchers. When the State Supreme Court declared vouchers unconstitutional, they were turned into corporate tax rebate scholarships. The Southern Legal Counsel’s lawsuit against school choice Citizens for Strong Schools comes to trial next spring.

Privatizing schools has turned into big business in Florida. To protect the business interests, legislators are pressured and cajoled. In this report you can see the grades your individual representatives and senators have received from the foundation Jeb Bush created. High grades mean that those legislators are failing our public schools and promoting privatization. Here’s the link to the report.

A Better Future or A Scary Time, Both?

Posted on July 17, 2015July 18, 2015 by Sue Legg

There is something compelling about the need for our educational system to embrace the future. Joanne Weiss, Secretary Arne Duncan’s Chief of Staff used to run Race to the Top. She explains why big money and national educational standards matter. Her explanation is cogent unless you consider the unintended consequences. Or, were they intended? It all depends upon your point of view.

As Congress is closing in on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, it is more than a little curious how the political forces are aligned. There is speculation that President Obama may veto the final legislation. If he does, more of the same may stir even greater resistance, especially to the testing and accountability systems that are in place now. If, however, the new legislation makes it into law, have we lost a great opportunity to reach for the moon once again? As in any serious debate by serious people, there is likely truth on both sides of the issue.

Continue reading→

Florida Can Learn from Ohio: Charter reforms that can make a difference

Posted on June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by Sue Legg

Ohio has had as many or more charter school scandals than Florida. Maybe that is what it take to the Legislature’s attention. Ohio’s House and Senate have passed charter reform bills that are stronger than Florida’s. The charter industry is pushing back. The legislature needs to reconcile the two bills. Will they?

The reforms are strong and meaningful. Florida can learn from Ohio. Here are some specifics Florida needs to consider.

Continue reading→

Sweden Shows U.S. How to Fail

Posted on June 25, 2015June 25, 2015 by Sue Legg

Back in the 90s, Sweden had free Pre K for all students. There was no selective admissions. Everyone went to public schools. The system thrived, and their first PISA achievement scores were very high.

Then the Swedes bought into school choice. They have the greatest decline in achievement of any OECD nation. What happened? We can learn from them.

Continue reading→

Florida Leads the Nation in Corrupt Officials

Posted on June 6, 2015June 6, 2015 by Sue Legg

Some people like rules. They keep life simple. Others think rules just get in the way of getting things done. Floridians have a reputation for avoiding as many rules as possible except for their traditional public schools. They are rule bound, and some parents rebel. There is an escape clause called ‘school choice’. For charters and private schools the rules are bent or removed.

Charters are supposed to save money, and theyprovide a way for private businesses to make money, lots of it. The money comes from the state or from corporate tax rebates. It is big money, about half of the State’s general fund.

One wonders if controls on ethics and conflict of interest are sufficiently strong to protect the public interest in education? The buzz about Florida is that there is more self-interest than public interest than in any other state. Are such allegations warranted?

Continue reading→

Poll: Americans Want Better Charter Management

Posted on May 23, 2015May 23, 2015 by Sue Legg

Recently, a new national survey found that Americans overwhelmingly favor proposals to make charter schools more accountable, accessible, and transparent. The survey also found that Americans want to make sure that neighborhood public schools do not lose funding when charter schools open. Finally, voters strongly support a proposal that would require charter teachers to meet the same certification requirements as educators in traditional public schools. There is more to the story. Read on for basic facts and recommendations for strengthening charter oversight.

Continue reading→

Duval County: School Choice is a False Choice

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015 by Sue Legg

As charters in Duval County increase, the school district faces a $10 million dollar shortfall. Should the district give up reading coaches for traditional schools?

The options for balancing the district budget are not good. If the district draws down its reserve fund, what do they do next year? The district anticipates that there will be 2,000 new enrollments in charters next fall. Charters in Duval County have their own challenges.

On the surface, it would appear that Duval County, like many counties, is facing the reality that splitting money with charters means that no one has enough to do what needs to be done. What is going on?

Continue reading→

Adding New Charter Schools: Will FSU Know Best?

Posted on April 27, 2015April 27, 2015 by Sue Legg

Who should approve new charter schools–local districts or the state? Would a university institute funded by the legislature do a better job? Now the State Board of Education has the final say. But, they do not always get it right.

Legislation moving through the Florida House and Senate includes a provision to create the Florida State University Charter School Institute. It would review charter proposals and conduct evaluation studies. Will FSU be able to improve the charter authorization process? Can it evaluate local needs, or do they not matter? If a form is filled out correctly, is that enough to make a charter school a valuable contribution to a local district?

I watched the April School Board of Education meeting. A comment was made about how fortunate Florida was to have the DOE, the Governor, and the legislature all on the same school reform page. Yet, when the attorney for Palm Beach County spoke about denials of charter schools, it is clear that there are practical, important issues that are too easily dismissed. Some checks and balances are needed.

Continue reading→

Charter Schools: Climate of Corruption?

Posted on April 12, 2015April 12, 2015 by Sue Legg

In 2012, Florida received an ‘F’ on Ethics Enforcement agencies from the Center for Public Integrity. On the overall corruption index, Florida received a C-.

Governor Scott issued an executive order to strengthen the process. The Florida Senate changed the conflict of interest rules for legislators in 2013-14. Bad things keep happening. Is there a legislative cabal, or are some simply insensitive to the public interest? There are stories to tell. Continue reading→

“Togetherness”, the Anti-Community’s Community?

Posted on March 22, 2015March 22, 2015 by Sue Legg

Divided Community

Now television is in the charter fray. In this review of the series “Togetherness”, Joshua Leibner in Salon magazine describes its charter school subplot. Are neighborhood schools the “bogeyman for all of society’s ills?, he asks. He wonders if for white people of their education and class, all the education reform nonsense might feel right for minority kids–but just not for their children? The setting for the series is in Eagle Rock in Los Angeles. This is a real place where both Leibner and the show’s producers actually live. Is the show fact or fiction? Continue reading→