The upperclassmen of the Republican Party schooled Democrats on a slew of education bills on the Senate Floor Tuesday.
In the face of Democratic opposition, they rallied in preparation for upcoming contentious votes on approving teacher merit pay, changing high school graduation requirements, altering a state constitutional amendment to loosen class-size restrictions and expanding the states corporate-funded voucher program.
The more-than-three-hour session of discussion on education bills did not result in a bill vote Tuesday, but amendments or objections from Democrats on every piece of legislation were defeated along party lines. All the bills were placed on third reading.
The most highly debated bill, despite the fact that the Senate had not officially entered the debate, was a measure by Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, to authorize teacher merit pay based on student performance.
The bill would tie the salaries of teachers to student performance. Those whose students score better on end-of-term exams would see their salaries rise. The bill also would abolish the teacher tenure system at Florida public schools and replace it with a yearly contract system.
Our bill, and the language in our bill, eliminates the continued employment contracts for ineffective teachers, said Thrasher, chairman for the Republican Party of Florida.
Thrasher said the bill provides security for teachers by showing that if they do well, they will be paid better and have a job.
One of the most vocal opponents of the bill was Minority Leader Sen. Al Lawson, who floated three amendments, one of which Thrasher asserted essentially reinstated the tenure system. He said the attempt to change the bill was akin to having to row, row, row a boat upstream to see the Wizard of Oz. Lawson said Thrashers bill made teachers fear for their jobs.
Many other critics said it would discourage teachers outside the state from applying for jobs at Florida schools.
Thrasher disagreed.
I think teachers are going to come here because we are going to set the tone for the nation, he said.
Throughout the session, senators comments on bills gave a preview of the education fight to come.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Destin, defended his Senate joint resolution to loosen class-size restrictions by affirming that it would not reverse the gains made by the 2002 state constitutional amendment it changes.
The bill, SJ2, amends class-size requirements passed in 2002 to allow schools to calculate class sizes at a school-wide average, instead of on a class-by-class basis.
The proposal will need to pass both House and Senate with a 60 percent majority before being added to the November ballot. It would have to be approved by 60 percent of voters to change the Constitution.
The 2002 constitutional amendment approved by voters required that class sizes from pre-kindergarten through third grade could have no more than 18 students; fourth grade through eighth-grade classrooms, no more than 22 students; ninth grade through 12th grade, no more than 25 students.
Gaetzs amendment would stipulate that no more than 21 students be assigned to pre-kindergarten to third-grade classrooms; no more than 27 students to fourth through eighth-grade classrooms; no more than 30 in high school classrooms.
Democrats declared the amendment would go against the will of voters who made it clear at the polls in 2002 that they wanted to restrict class sizes. They said a constitutional amendment was not needed, and Gaetz could accomplish his same goal with a statutory amendment.
Republicans said it was unrealistic for some classes, such as chorus classes, to have to restrict their size. Gaetz said that the change allows local school districts to have more flexibility when delegating class size, and that it would not lead to lay-offs or the removal of privileges in the amendment.
"Not a single teacher we hired would be fired, he said. We would be obligated to fund class-size reduction at the school-wide level until the end of time.
For two crucial bills, the floor arguments focused on that most crucial element of education: money.
Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, presented her bill, SB 4, that requires that students pass Algebra I and II, Biology and Chemistry or Physics to graduate high school. They would also have to pass end-of-course assements replacing the FCATs for these subjects and enroll in at least one online course.
She was met with the criticism that the requirement would require extra teacher education and funds. She defended the bill, saying that the changes would be staggered.
Not only will we have the money for the development, she said. We will have the time. Well be ready.
Joe Negron, R-Palm City, argued in favor of raising caps on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, the school voucher program that funds student enrollment in private schools, from $118 million to $140 million.
The bill, SB 2126, raises the cap by 25 percent for every year the vouchers, funded by corporate contributions in return for tax credits, are in high demand.
The bill also raises the eligibility for the program from 200 percent of the poverty level to 230 percent.
Negron said the change would give parents a choice when deciding on the education of their children. With the added vouchers, parents who feel their children are at a disadvantage in their schools can option for them to be placed in another school.
"They're looking out for the best interests of their children," he said.
Democrats rallied behind Sen. Chris Smith, D-Oakland Park, as he tried to amend the bill to allow corporations to make contributions toward public and nonprofit schools as part of the program . He argued that the bill could be changed to help cash-strapped public schools improve their facilities and resources.
Negron countered that private schools and charters were proven time and time again to be the most effective choice for student vouchers.
He said that by choosing to enroll their children in the tax credit program, parents are showing that public school is not the right choice.
It doesnt do anything to demean public schools he said. In fact, Im sure it enriches public schools."
