Jeb Bush tutors Minnesota lawmakers in Florida education reforms

[seafan]

Source: Twin Cities

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is telling Minnesota lawmakers about education reforms he says have driven up test scores in his state's schools.

Bush walked legislators through several policies that he says increased both scores and graduation rates, particularly for minority students.

Bush says schools were given letter grades from A to F, third-graders who couldn't read weren't promoted and parents were given more school choices.

Read more: http://www.twincities.com/ci_17931059?nclick_check=1

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Because screwing up public education in Florida, and Idaho, and Arizona, and Indiana, and Utah just isn't enough for Jeb Bush.

He despises public education, and in his mind, by God, he will lead this poisonous assault nationwide.


To all who have not yet had Bigfoot darken your door: Slam it shut, deadbolt it, grab your children and run for the hills.

[FSogol]

1. Noted Grifter, Jeb Bush runs a con on Minnesota lawmakers...

:puke:

[secondwind]

2. This worries me to no end. What can we do about this? I'm very, very concerned about this.

[TygrBright]

3. When I attended public schools in Minnesota (60s & 70s) they were considered...

...some of the best in the nation.

That was the era of the "Minnesota Miracle," thanks to DFL Goobs and Lege who finally drew a conclusion that should have been obvious to anyone (rich districts will have fabulous schools and poor districts will have shitty schools) and, more important, ACTED on that conclusion: They implemented a revenue-sharing program that ensured that all districts were funded to a minimum standard, and that standard included infrastructure (buildings and facilities,) class size, and teacher compensation. Then they backed off and let the districts alone to sort out how to upgrade the poor schools.

Yannowat? IT WORKED.

Even crummy neighborhoods in Minneapolis and little rural wide spots in the road had decent schools within ten years or so. And the quality of education kept improving.

Two things killed the Miracle: The rise of the anti-tax movement in the late 1970s and through the 80s successfully fought local mill rate increases by appealing to the "I got mine, why should I pay for anyone else's" instinct, and the advent of Snake-eyes Carlson (AKA "Veto Man") in the 1990s. Budget cutting was the order of the day and the revenue sharing plan went pffft.

Minnesota's proud tradition of quality education has been dying a slow, ugly, sordid death ever since. I suppose it's fitting that it should be a Bush who finally unplugs the respirator and cheers on the Cheyne-Stokes breathing...

sadly,
Bright

[Odin2005]

9. Minnesota has the lowest high school dropout rates in the country.

[Kingofalldems]

4. Do they teach for the 'test' in Florida?

If so, that is no way to educate IMO.

[Eumenides]

5. Yes

Yes, we do teach for the test. This is a common complaint among teachers. With the changes Rick Scott has made (or has he yet, can't remember), teacher pay and retention will be based on the students performance on tests. Since children in wealthier portions of towns will do better, those teachers will do better and vice-versa.

I didn't think we could sink lower than Jeb and then Scott came along.

[Beth in MN]

6. Follow the Money to Understand the Scam

For the record, Minnesota's 86 percent graduation rate is the nation's third-highest; Florida ranks 44th. Minnesota tops the nation in ACT scores, while Florida comes in 25th. The GOP disgraced our state today.

Foundation for Excellence in Education is set up as a 501(c)3 to accept tax-sheltered donations; one of many set up by Bush.

Scott Walker's pals, the Bradley Foundation, just gave a sizable donation; Bush hosted a major fundraiser for Walker.

http://wonkette.com/443043/conservative-nonprofit-awards-jeb-bush-250000-genius-grant

Bush advocates using distant learning provided by private companies; specifically Ignite Learning owned by brother Neil Bush. The success of Bush's educational reform is reflected in Florida; teacher salaries have dropped to 47th lowest in country.

[seafan]

7. You are exactly right and welcome to DU.

Education "reform" is a giant scam with the BFEE.

[Odin2005]

8. GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY STATE YOU BUSHY ASSWIPE!!!

We have one of the best public education systems in the country! :grr:

[Frustratedlady]

10. How can those people stand up there and blatantly lie when the facts refute them?

My friends from Florida (Repugs, BTW) are terrified of what is happening to their state and their educational system. It took their daughter entering the system as a teacher in the public schools to convince them there was an all-out attack on public schools. She was finally laid off and hired by a contract school, which she hates...says the education in public schools is far superior to contract...they are a scam and their numbers are not true.

How much more damage are we going to allow this family to do before they are shamed back into the shadows?