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Dear Friend,
After SB 6 passed Thursday night, we sent out our call to push Governor Crist to veto it — and already we have over 5,300 signers on our petition. Our message may be getting through — the Governor hasn’t signed the bill into law yet, but he could at any time. … Continue Reading
April 9, 2010
The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor
State of Florida
Office of the Governor
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Fl 32399
Dear Governor Crist:
Without doubt, you are receiving volumes of emails, phone calls, and letters, the majority of which are steadfast in their opposition to SB 6. This letter is not only to add my voice to those of my colleagues, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson, Senators Dan Gelber, Dave Aronberg, and Nan Rich, all urging you to veto this deplorable piece of legislation, but to add my daughter’s as well. … Continue Reading
Right-wing-backed legislation “rams the Republican Party of Florida’s political agenda down taxpayers’ throats.”
TALLAHASSEE – Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) on Friday urged Governor Charlie Crist to veto SB 6, the contentious “teacher tenure” bill. … Continue Reading
Florida’s students, parents, teachers, and schools just suffered a serious blow: Late last night, Tallahassee politicians passed a bill dictating a rigid, one-size-fits-all policy to our local schools. Now, it is on Governor Crist’s desk, waiting for his signature. And it’s up to us to stop it. … Continue Reading
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida House today passed a transformational education package that right sizes the Class Size Amendment, raises standards for Florida students to better prepare them for the careers of the future, and rewards Florida teachers for excellence in the classroom. Representative Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), Representative John Legg (R-Port Richey) and House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) issued the following joint statement on the passage of the education reforms: … Continue Reading
~Releases Editorial On Rewarding Excellent Teachers Legislation Hours Before Actual Vote Occurs~
TALLAHASSEE, 11 PM EDT – Several hours before the actual vote is expected to occur, the St. Petersburg Times Editorial Board has prematurely declared that the Florida House, in an “arrogant attempt”, has “rammed the [rewarding teachers] bill through their chamber” in a “rush job.” … Continue Reading
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
A St. Petersburg Times Editorial
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/an-arrogant-attempt-to-reform-schools/1086084
An arrogant attempt to reform schools
Published Thursday, April 8, 2010
Florida needs to change how it pays and evaluates teachers so the best are rewarded. It needs to make it easier to fire bad ones. But the bill approved by the Florida House on Thursday and sent to Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk is an arrogant attempt at reforming public school classrooms. On style points alone, the Florida Legislature has earned a failing grade. … Continue Reading
To Interested Media:
You may be interested in a national news report (MSNBC) from earlier today about Senate Bill 6, the anti-teacher bill. The report includes a telephone interview of State Rep. Martin Kiar, D-Davie. Representative Kiar is the Democratic Ranking Member of the House PreK-12 Appropriations Committee.
Here is the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36279238#36279238
Mark Hollis
Communications Director
Democratic Office
Florida House of Representatives
850-488-9622
www.flhousedems.com
TALLAHASSEE – Senator Charlie Justice (D- St. Petersburg) sent the attached letter to Governor Crist today urging his immediate veto of Senate Bill 6 should it pass the House as expected. … Continue Reading
TALLAHASSEE – State Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) on Thursday issued the following statement regarding the expected House passage of SB6: … Continue Reading
State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) on Thursday, in anticipation of House passage of SB6, sent the attached letter to Governor Crist, urging that he veto the legislation. … Continue Reading
TALLAHASSEE, FL – After 3 hours of debate in committee, 8 hours of public testimony and debate in policy council and an additional 8 hours of questions and debates on amendments, the Florida House moved House Bill (HB) 7189, a transformational measure that rewards excellence in teachers by rewarding them for performance, forward to a final vote on the House floor tomorrow. House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) released the following statement: … Continue Reading
Just in Case You Missed This Earlier- Also Debunked By Politifact earlier today
***MYTH VS. FACT***
MYTH – “…teachers will not be able to return to work after raising their children.”
FACT – HB 7189 directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to document effective performance for teachers not evaluated in 4 out of 5 previous years. Under the bill, the State Department of Education is directed to create a rule that will apply to teachers who have taken leave for reasons such as to take care of their children, for maternity leave, military service or other extenuating circumstances. … Continue Reading
TO INTERESTED MEDIA:
Florida House Democratic Caucus members are grateful for the recognition given tonight by Representative Marti Coley, R-Marianna, to the three school teachers from Okaloosa County who have been watching Senate Bill 6 deliberations this evening in the House Gallery. … Continue Reading
TO INTERESTED MEDIA:
Florida’s nationally watched, anti-teacher bill, Senate Bill 6, is under consideration at this hour in the Florida House of Representatives. If you are outside of Tallahassee and are interested in following the deliberations, a live video stream is available at the following link:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/ … Continue Reading
Matthew Ladner
Education Next
April 5, 2010
Last year, Dan Lips and I demonstrated, in the pages of Education Next, that demography is not K-12 destiny. We cited the remarkable progress of disadvantaged students in Florida based on 1998-2007 NAEP data. NAEP has released the 2009 data, and the news for Florida just keeps getting better. … Continue Reading
Listen to Jeb Bush and Bill Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, discuss Florida’s education reform legislation, including raising academic standards for students and raising salaries for teachers, plus Race to the Top and Hispanic and African American student achievement on the National Assessment Educational Progress (NAEP). … Continue Reading
