Gov. Bush, FCAT hang over race

[DoYouEverWonder]

July 18, 2006

Gov. Jeb Bush is popular. The FCAT isn’t.

The race to replace him may turn in part on which icon is more potent.

The Democrats — U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and state Sen. Rod Smith — slam virtually every change Bush has made to Florida’s school system, but reserve special scorn for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Smith says the governor’s “maniacal commitment” to the FCAT is burning out teachers and thinning out curriculum. Davis calls it a “political weapon.”

Meanwhile, the Republicans — Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher — praise Bush’s policies and promise to keep using the FCAT to grade schools, retain students and reward teachers.Both approaches carry big risks.

The Republicans want a smooth ride on the coattails of a popular governor, but Bush’s glow does not extend to his education policies, which remain out of favor with the public and even with many loyal Republicans. That is especially true of the FCAT, which preceded Bush’s election but became the keystone in his efforts to restructure Florida schools.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/18/State/Gov_Bush__FCAT_hang_o.shtml

One more reason to vote DEM in FL. Public schools are so caught up in making sure they pass the FCAT, that nothing else seems to matter. They are now leaving back kindergartners because they don't want them messing up their 1st Year FCAT scores. Of course, they are more then glad to give ESE students a MacKay Scholarship to get them out of the 'system'. Teachers and administrators no longer care about what is best for an individual student, it's all about getting high scores on the FCAT now a days.

[wakeme2008]

1. most parent HATE what FCAT is doing to their own kids

and how much pressure they are put under during testing... IMHO this is a major loser for the Repugs.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. That's why I consider myself lucky

to have a MacKay scholarship and my kid can get a real education. Thanks Jeb.

[tsuki]

3. Popular with whom?? Nobody here can stand the drunken lout. nt

[mcar]

4. Yeah, I can't figure out Jeb!s popularity ratings either

People throughout FLorida hate his policies but he always rates high? I honestly can't name one positive thing he's done while in office.

The FCAT has been a disaster for the public schools.

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. After 6 years of being governor

people still don't know Jeb.

Jeb is sneaky. He lays low and works behind the scenes. He stays out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Plus he stays away from George as much as possible. You never see Jeb visiting the WH.

[LeighAnn]

6. Neil Bush selling FCAT preparation software

This is an old article I dragged out of the Internet Archive, I need to find out whatever became of this company. L@@K

http://web.archive.org/web/20050308101942/http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/4384679.htm

A software company run by Neil Bush, a younger brother of Gov. Jeb Bush, hopes to sell a program to Florida schools that students would use to prepare for the test that is key to the governor's education policy.

Texas-based Ignite Inc. makes software being used in a pilot program at an Orlando-area middle school to help students prepare for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, which the governor has championed as a yardstick for school performance.

Ocoee Middle School, which has received millions of dollars in state grants to study ways of lowering costs, is using the software for free. But a company spokeswoman said Saturday that Ignite soon hopes to sell its early American history course to other Florida schools, at a cost of $30 a year per student.

Ignite spokeswoman Louise Thacker denied the company had an unfair advantage because Bush, its founder and CEO, is a brother of Florida's governor.

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Education said Friday that Ignite officials had not approached the state about its product. Mike Eason, formerly the top technology official for the department, is a member of an Ignite advisory board.

Katie Muniz, a spokeswoman for Jeb Bush, said the governor has never talked with his brother about the business.

Gov. Bush's use of the FCAT complies with a law supported by another brother - President George W. Bush. The president's "Leave No Child Behind" law forces states to use testing as a measuring stick for schools.

snip ~ more at the link

[Acadia Blue]

7. If they find a way to steal taxpayers money, you know their bushes