Monday, April 10, 2006

Jeb Bush and GOP ignoring a mandate from the people

Four years ago the voters of Florida passed an amendment to the state constitution calling for class size reductions, but Jeb and the GOP have refused to fully fund the program, claiming the state couldn't afford it. Now that the state of Florida is awash with billions of extra dollars the GOP is trying a new tactic; claiming the amendment should be changed b/c the state doesn't have enough time to comply.

Funny, the state seems to have plenty of money to fund high stakes tests but here we have a mandate from the people of the state being ignored. Specifically it states in the amendment:

"Payment of the costs associated with reducing class size to meet these requirements is the responsibility of the state and not of local school districts."


I'm not surprised the GOP wants to ignore one reform actually proven to improve student achievement and instead want to push their own agenda, forced failure of the public schools in the name of privatization.

The complete story is available from The Palm Beach Post.

1 comment:

Onyx said...

I don't find it surprising that funding smaller class sizes isn't being done. Doesn't matter which party. It's all about the money and not about the kids. Tests are quick easy measurements.

Changing class size, why more teahers would have to be hired and new buildings and rooms would have to be built and heaven forbid if it worked!

I sound jaded today; I am, gearing up for those tests next week. Knowing there is no possible way to really prepare them for tricky questions, to "fix" everybody.