Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegAugust 2, 2015

First, give Jeb Bush credit for accepting the Urban League’s invitation to speak in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Call it a politely hostile forum. Too many other Republican candidates lacked the guts to show up. Give Bush credit also for citing examples of his leadership that could appeal to his Urban League audience. For example, […]

Dan GelberJune 22, 2015

Jeb Bush earned the moniker of Florida’s “Education Governor” because he made education his primary policy focus while in office and the area he most focused on since. And Jeb Bush was a very busy education governor. He force-fed unprecedented testing into public schools, did all he could to neuter the teaching unions, and apologetically […]

Dan GelberJune 21, 2015

Jeb Bush earned the moniker of Florida’s “Education Governor” because he made education his primary policy focus while in office and the area he most focused on since. And Jeb Bush was a very busy education governor. He force-fed unprecedented testing into public schools, did all he could to neuter the teaching unions, and apologetically […]

Florence SnyderFebruary 25, 2015

Media bashers, media ethicists and the Greek chorus at Comedy Central will be gorging for a long time on the disgraced remains of Brian Williams. But the credibility crisis now engulfing NBC News is not Williams’ fault. It is never the reporter’s fault. An “anchor and managing editor” is neither God nor a kid with […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 15, 2015

If you don’t like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s stance on education, you might not like President Barack Obama’s stance either. They actually have toured Florida schools together, and both generally are in favor of high-stakes tests that they say bring accountability. Jeb had the FCAT-based school grading system, and the Obama administration was behind […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 11, 2015

Florida’s national ranking by Education Week has dropped precipitously, to No. 28. In 2013, Florida was ranked No. 6. When Florida’s public education system rose to No. 6, politicians raced to crow and claim credit. The ranking proved, they said, that Florida’s encouragement of charter and voucher schools and the state’s accountability system were working. […]

Julie DelegalOctober 17, 2013

This is part five of a six-part series presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. “The name is not open for discussion,” said Donna Mace, a Duval County fifth-grade teacher at Chimney Lakes Elementary, referring to the Badass Teachers Association. The 34-year veteran teacher is a founding member of the group, which uses social media to […]

Julie DelegalOctober 15, 2013

This is part three of a multi-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Are PARCC and Common Core the same thing? No, the 18-state Partnership for the Assessment of College and Career […]

Julie DelegalOctober 14, 2013

This is part two of a six-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Everyone, it seems, has chimed in on the Common Core State Standards, which the Florida Department of Education adopted […]

Julie DelegalOctober 13, 2013

This is part one of a six-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Few issues draw as much scrutiny from citizens — or as much controversy — as public education. Parents and […]

Tag: Common Core State Standards

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The education “achievement” missing from Jeb Bush’s Urban League speech

Dan Gelber: Beware of Jeb Bush’s education “revolution”

Dan Gelber: Beware of Jeb's education "revolution"

Florence Snyder: Blame NBC editors for Brian Williams' lies

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: How Jeb Bush made going nuts seem sane

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The 'They changed the formula' education excuse

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: A Badass teacher speaks out

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Gov. Rick Scott’s half-step

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Uncommon alliances

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Why all the talk?