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February 23, 2005
'Ice ice baby'
Just remember. It's about the kids. It's not about the money. Seriously, there's nothing unusual about an investment firm that owns the nation's largest ice manufacturer and a kitchen cabinet manufacturer also gobbling up a chain of 17 private schools that happen to have access to lots of taxpayer dollars. Not unusual at all. We're talking Florida and its multitude of voucher programs. Anything goes! "Obviously, a private investment corporation has decided that this law was designed to help people make money," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). "It should have been designed to help kids." The Palm Beach Post has the scoop.
Meantime, the Florida Legislature, with the former Senate president leading the way, may make another effort to add meaningful public accountability standards to the state's scandal-ridden voucher programs. Standing in their way? The Florida Department of Education, which has floated its own "accountability" plan that has fewer teeth than a toddler. "What is being proposed by the Department of Education does little to protect our kids. It would allow a person with little specific ability, either education- or experience-wise, to be hired as a teacher, and does not require any form of meaningful reporting by the school to the department, which would be an index of that school's progress," Sen. Jim King (R) said. More here from the Palm Beach Post, and an editorial from The Ledger here.
What might also get in the way of adding accountability to the state's voucher programs? Maybe an expansion of vouchers? That proposal looks to be part of a larger education package coming from the governor. Reports here and here, with the Florida School Boards Association on record. "I told them we could not agree with that," FSBA Executive Director Wayne Blanton said. "I told them there are other ways to accomplish reading at grade level. We will not support a voucher bill."
As an aside, we're told that a certain policy wonk and soon-to-be-state education board member wondered if BoardBuzz's recent hibernation was connected to the usual run of voucher bills making their appearances in state legislatures. While BoardBuzz would love to believe our policy impact is that far-reaching, we're inclined to believe that crude politics and deep pockets have more to do with the annual proposals. For those who want their daily fill of voucher news, we invite you to make regular stops here and here.
Posted February 23, 2005 12:00 AM
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