It shouldn’t come as a surprise to Gradebook readers that a growing number of Democrats in the Florida Legislature are supporting vouchers. But it still seems noteworthy that the incoming Senate minority leader is not only a voucher supporter, but a quiet backer of both voucher amendments on this fall's ballot.
“Over my 26 years in the Legislature, I have not seen very much improvement for minority kids in the system,” Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, told The Gradebook. “I’ve seen a lot of promises (but) they’re still dropping out at an alarming rate. I have parents, especially African American parents, coming to me asking me to support those (voucher) programs because their kids are getting a new lease on life.”
Lawson said despite his support for Amendments 7 and 9, he won’t be campaigning for them, out of respect for Democratic lawmakers who don’t. “It would not be fair to my colleagues to have your leader carrying a flag for it,” he said.
On a related note, we’re still awaiting the judge’s ruling in the amendment suit (see this Buzz/Gradebook post from earlier today). We hear it'll be coming down later today or early tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
Of course Private/Charter Schools that receive vouchers should do better with the students they get. When you can limit the number and quality of students that enter your doors, and get rid of the ones that don't measure up, then you should naturally out-perform the school that has to take everyone regardless of their Socio-Economic Status and parental support at home!
But, do they?
Posted by: Public Ed | August 05, 2008 at 08:13 PM
He supports the voucher system but "he won’t be campaigning for them, out of respect for Democratic lawmakers who don’t." What kind of crap is this? We need leaders to improve our lives, not party-gagged career politicians who'll do anything to keep from having to go home again.
Posted by: tim | August 05, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Obvious,
You are exactly right. Blaming the system for student failure is like someone blaming their doctor for chronic obesity when they don't exercise. :)
Posted by: teacher | August 04, 2008 at 08:14 PM
If you want better schools, start with better students. If you want better students, start with more involved parents. Blaming "the system" for what is at bottom a family failure is silly magical thinking.
Posted by: Captain Obvious | August 04, 2008 at 06:06 PM