Jeb Bush: Transform Florida's schools using technology

He might not be Florida governor any more, but Jeb Bush certainly remains out there pushing his views on education for the state. This time, he's got a piece in the Miami Herald promoting increased use of technology to improve schools here and across the country.

"The Internet has the ability to overcome the primary obstacles to student achievement — access to quality educational content customized to meet the unique needs and interests of an individual student. Moreover, technology may be the only way to provide a high-quality education to each and every one of the nation's 50 million students."

Florida is well ahead of the curve, Bush writes. (Of course, we've heard the gripes of district leaders forced to craft local K-12 virtual programs over the summer.) But still, more work here and elsewhere remains to achieve the best results, he suggests.

"For technology to truly take hold in public school classrooms across the country, state and local leaders must address issues today that could prevent this revolution of our educational system in the future. School funding formulas must be modernized from seat-time to outcome-based models. Antiquated rules, such as certain certification requirements that effectively bar high-quality teachers from educating in virtual classrooms, must be revised. Most important, all students — public, charter, private and home school — must be eligible to access quality virtual content."

There's a little bit for everybody in there, isn't there? Change teacher certification rules. Focus funding on outcomes. Let everyone including private and home schoolers in on the action. All battles fought — and mostly lost — in recent Florida legislative sessions.

Still, everyone seems to like to gnaw on Jeb Bush's education outlook. So here it is. Enjoy. 

- Jeff Solochek

Comments

[me]

Would Jeb care to address the Northwestern University study that Florida's voucher kids do not learn more when transferred to the voucher school???? OOPS, Jeb...how rapidly your kingdom falls!

[constance]

He had 8 very long years to try to transform the public schools through technology. Instead, he tried to destroy the public schools through vouchers and charter schools. Now, it is time for him to go away.

[Chisel]

Way to go Jeb. A breath of fresh air. Bring Jeb back!

[not him again]

I second the motion, "Jeb, go away!"

[Pointer out of the odd]

The Bushes have an interest in a company called "Ignite!" that produces educational software and hardware. Here's a link to a Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignite!

[Move back to Tx jeb.]

Jeb, you need to ask families what is best for education. Not your friends from the business world that stand to make a profit. Quit trying to privatize something that was a gift from our founding fathers. A free and quality education for all students. Start investing in our kids, not private companies that have a product.

[Pointer out of the odd]

@ Pat Connolly: Do some research into Neil Bush.

[terminator]

Pat:
agree.

I'm sure the Jebster and his evil minions already have the computer, software, curriculum and testing services all lined up with his privitization buddies.

Jeb doesn't really care about public education. He just needs a new source of income since Lehman Brothers went down the tubes.

Can you say "scam"?

[no chance]

Its basically impossible to use computers and technology in Pinellas County.

[Pat Connolly]

What part of the Bush family has a ve$ted interest in technology-delivered instruction???

After Jeb's results here in Florida, why would anybody give any credence to his education ideas, except maybe as an example of what NOT to do?

To quote many others, "Jeb, GO AWAY!"