by Javier Manjarres
***El Sharko had a senior moment and confused Senator Jeremy Ring (D) with Representative Joseph Abruzzo (D). Sorry Senator, it happens.
Governor-elect Rick Scott is keeping his promise of reaching out to all of the members of the Florida Legislature, as he participated a series of meetings around the state with members of both houses of the legislature.In Fort Lauderdale, Governor Scott sat down with several Democrats and Republican lawmakers and discussed several pressing issues, one being education reform.
The controversial SB6 was at the top of the list of concerns. State Senator Jeremy Ring (D) House Representative Joseph Abruzzo (D) was the most vocal member at the meeting, and whose comments left many scratching their heads, as to what he meant. Governor-elect Scott sought clarity when he questioned this statement Senator Ring Representative Abruzzo made.
“If you were a reservist like myself, and you were a teacher and you were deployed, if you students didn’t perform at a certain standard when you came back from oversees, you lost your teaching license-you couldn’t get it back. If you are not even teaching you have substitute or someone else has your class, and you were deployed overseas, you would actually lose your teaching certificate.
If you’re pregnant, and you take leave, and your students don’t perform to these standards, you lose your teaching certificate.”- Representative Abruzzo
Representative Abruzzo was upset that these provisions were not in the initial bill, and would like to see them added if another bill comes up in next year’s session. State Representative Esteban Bovo (R) stated that the House of Representatives, and its supermajority, were going to take up a bill similar to SB6. ” We are going to address it“- Bovo
Governor-elect Scott went on to state that education reform was a vital issue that needs to be addressed, and that he wants to make it easier for parents to be able to choose their children’s educational path. This choice would include, the ability to decide which schools to send their childrens-Scott is a big proponent of Charter Schools. Scott also echoed what Representative Bovo said in that a similar bill like SB6 would be looked at and considered, as long as it followed what he campaigned on and it uses the best parts of the initial SB6 bill.
9 Responses to “***CORRECTION***Governor Rick Scott Questions Democrat Representative Abruzzo’s Education Proposal”
I for one, find the new Gov. a ray of sunshine in that he is standing for the convictions that he ran on as a cadidate for the Republican Party. As a Tea Party member I can speak for them in saying that we intend to hold all of the newly elected officials accountable to the principles of our Constitution and State Sovereignty. Everything that is proposed will be looked at and exposd to all constituents in order for them to contact their Representatives to let them know their wishes as to how to vote on the Bills that are proposed.
First, thank you for asking for my opinion. Education is very dear to my heart having been involved it for over 27 years in FL.
Second, please, PLEASE have someone proof read any emails and documents that are sent out on behalf of the new governor-elect AND education. There are so many grammatical errors in this email that should have been corrected before sending and that includes what Senator Ring supposedly said. Was that verbatim?
Third, I believe that if a teacher has been in the classroom for the MAJORITY of the year and the students fail to achieve the standards on testing, the teacher is responsible; however, were the teacher there for only a month or two, the teacher should receive the benefit of the doubt and retain his/her certificate for one year. If at the end of that year the next class of students does not achieve adequately, then the teacher needs to be removed from teaching. Granted, variables enter: parents, home life, etc. Yet, SOME students should be achieving – not all would have the same issues. I do not believe a teaching certificate should be taken away lightly; however, I do believe that some people in classrooms are not teachers. To some it is merely a job and they put forth little to no effort, use the EXACT same lesson plans year after year, and skim by on less than quality “teaching” in far smaller classes than is sensible. Testing data is critical to determine adequate yearly progress. Skills that are not remediated and permitted to continue, thus allowing students to be “socially” promoted are useless. If students build on sand, their education would collapse. I believe that is why colleges are having to offer more and more remedial classes to incoming freshman just to help them learn to read and calculate math. That is SAD! A good number of students “graduating” from high schools are not academically prepared for college, even for community colleges.
I believe principals and unions are the core issue. It has been my experience in FL that unions demand mediocrity by working against new and innovative teaching methods and plans. They constantly throw stumbling blocks in the way of professional development. They also appear to prefer NO teacher be singled out for accolades when that teacher has accomplished the impossible. Rather, they prefer the entire cadre to just move along and not step out of line and they continue to demand smaller and smaller class sizes. Granted, an overcrowded class is difficult to mange and means lots of work, but let’s be realistic.
I also believe the nonsense yet union-supported/demanded issue of a principal making an appointment to observe a teacher in a classroom defeats the entire purpose. Teachers can stack the deck so the subject matter is enjoyable for those 20 minutes, being sure the students are engaged and attentive. Yet, the rest of the time, their methods are boring and lack introspective use of visuals and creativity. Principals should be allowed to walk in at any time to observe teachers at work. That’s how evaluations are done in the real world. The administrator observes anything at any time – no appointment. On the other hand, I have also seen principals have “pets” who can do no wrong despite failing students, lack of classroom control, no innovative methods, etc. That is abhorrent, as well.
If teachers, principals, and unions place the best interest of STUDENTS FIRST, then can work in harmony to achieve outstanding results. If not, then it is time to replace the ineffective teacher, as well as the union that causes districts to stumble. I believe President Ronald Reagan said that before we change something, we need to look at what we are doing to determine whether or not it is part of the problem.
I think that this should not be a top down decision. How about inviting all the Teachers of the Year from each district to a conference call – not to Tallahassee, that would cost too much money and time away from their students – a video conference call or webinar and ask those who are the TOY their opinions. They are usually the teachers who go way beyond the limits the unions set. Hear what they have to say. Garner a consensus; then build on it. Good luck!
I look forward to Governor-Elect Rick Scott streamlining Florida’s education programs. Current Governor Crist details the millions of dollars put into Florida’s Education programs and per student costs here:
http://www.ebudget.state.fl.us/Highlights/education/education_home.aspx
It is time to follow Ronald Reagan’s plan of abolishing the Department of Education and streamline education for the 21st Century. Virtual schools set up in each county can provide better education, interaction and cut costs. If the virtual school outperforms the public “taxpayer funded” school, the property owners can opt out of paying school taxes to brick and mortar schools and pay virtual school taxes instead.
Although House Representative Joseph Abruzzo statemnet was not perfect, you totally ignored the thrust of his concern. What are the problems your plan seeks to solve?
tut tut Abruzzo — I understand your concern — just think of all the money that was wasted on the essay mills for the papers that teachers turned in so they could get that diploma and teaching certificate. they will have to shell out all over again— tough going for the teachers who can’t /shouldn’t have a job teaching anyway
Fran’s experience, understanding and insight on what is happening at the core of our public education system is so clearly and simply stated . She understands the consequences of the years of manipulation of our educational system by the teachers unions, and principals under their influence, that have resulted in catering and focusing on the teachers wants and needs and NOT THOSE OF OUR CHILDREN. We the parents, grandparents, citizens of this nation are finally standing up and protesting the “business as usual” of these unions that have been in charge for far too long. Kudos to Fran for speaking the truth,she’s an example of the real definition of a TEACHER.
This rambling alone is an example of why tenure should be eliminated along with unions. Get rid of the dead weight teachers/administrators that are just hanging around, going from one job to the next, waiting to retire with pensions this state can’t afford.
I agree with Fran.
Why are Unions in the educational system to begin with! Our Tax dollars pay their salary and why should the union protect teachers who cannot teach and will not listen to input from parents (who pay their salary) and to hear that the Administration cannot “pop” in to observe the classroom without prior appointment is ridiculous.
Our children are on the internet searching information and yet a teacher in the classroom is using over- heads
for classroom instruction and they (students) are bored out of their mind….one example that I happen to observe.
I questioned the teacher and wanted to know if she had any interaction with students on the internet and she told me that she is from the “old school” and would continue to teach strictly by “the book”.
Perhaps her salary should be “old school” and reduced.
I spent a good part of my life working in the field of compensation in the private sector which, unlike government is the real world.
One thing which always annoys me is the constant reference by media, teachers and teachers unions to their opinion that teachers are grossly underpaid.
They always compare their pay to groups like doctors,dentists and lawyers which are not compatable and they always state teacher pay on an annual basis.
The undisputable fact which is ignored is that teachers are PART TIME workers whose work year is about two thirds of thje work year of most people.
The normal weork year is 2080 hours.If you review the annual work year for teachers which I have done in detail you will see that it is about 1600 hours.If you want to get an accurate picture you have to compare teacher pay with others on an hourly basis and if you do you will find that teacher pay compares very favorably with other professionals.The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports pay data on an hourly basis so that they are comparing apples with apples and if you study their reports you will see that what I say is absolutely accurate.
Bill Allen