Following in the footsteps of former Gov. Jeb Bush, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott called for reforming the states school system when he unveiled his education plan at a campaign stop in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday.
It is time we make a firm commitment to the positive educational outcome Floridians deserve and have a right to expect, said Scott. It is time we recognize changes in society and technology are driving a need for change in our public education system, and our students need to take center stage. And it is time that the money follows to the students and not the system.
Scotts education plan called for including more technology -- including virtual classes and more online education options -- and increased access to school choice options. The Republican candidates plan included support for home schooling, charter and magnet schools and voluntary pre-K programs. The plan also praised the Tax Credit Scholarship, the Corporate Tax Credit and McKay scholarships.
Scott added that his experience in the private sector would guide his policies on education -- and he contrasted that with his Democratic rival, state CFO Alex Sink.
As a successful businessman, I know the importance of education in growing the economy, said Scott. Simply throwing more taxpayer dollars at an outdated system like my opponent wants to do is not enough.
Scott maintained that Florida needs a solid educational system to lure -- and keep -- jobs in the Sunshine State.
For Florida to attract business, compete effectively in the global economy, and create 21st century jobs, we must have an educated work force, said Scott. It is time to create an educational framework that is customized so that each student can reach his or her potential and help get Florida back to work.
Scott praised Amendment 8, a measure on the November ballot to reform class-size limits, and called for more partnerships with private career colleges. Scotts plan called for greater accountability in school systems financial reports to the public and more thorough teacher evaluations.
Florida is fortunate to already be leading the nation in education gains, but to realize our full potential we must adapt to more innovative methods of ensuring better educational outcomes for our students -- without politics getting in the way of providing our children with a world-class education, said Scott. There is no one silver bullet, but I believe it is possible to transform the current system while empowering students, parents, and educators to ensure a better quality of life for all Floridians.
Asked about her opinion of Scotts education plan on the campaign trail on Tuesday, Sink said that public education needs to be funded before more money is spent on school-choice programs.
The Sink campaign went a bit more personal in its response to Scotts education plan.
"Rick Scott's education 'plan' calls for deliberately ripping off $1.4 billion from local public schools and taking local control away from parents and teachers and handing it over to Tallahassee bureaucrats,'' said Kyra Jennings, a spokeswoman for Sink, in a statement issued after the Scott announcement. "Scott's so-called education plan is a fraud, just like his so-called economic plan, and just like Scott himself.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
