Gov. Rick Scott continued his praise of Gerard Robinson on Wednesday, a day after the head of the Florida Department of Education gave a month's notice that he was returning to Virginia.
Scott, speaking after an appearance at a Florida Health Care Association conference at the Hilton Orlando, maintained he was surprised and disappointed in Robinsons abrupt resignation.But Scott added that he doesnt believe any change in leadership will impact the ongoing drive to overhaul the states Pre-K-12 system.
And Scott said he intends to give his input as the state Board of Education begins a search to find Robinson's replacement.
Now we have to have good transition and find somebody who is as good or better, Scott said.
Ill give input. I think we need somebody who is a good communicator, believes the same way we believe --which is in parent choice, accountability and has a focus on measurability.
Gerard Robinson, hired away from his post as Virginias secretary of education last summer, intends to return to his family. His wife, an attorney, has remained in Virginia.
Living away from my family has proven one challenge all this progress could not overcome, Robinson wrote on Tuesday.
Neither Robinson nor Scott mentioned that the governors office in May had to scramble to assist the education department, as the state Board of Education had to call an emergency meeting to lower the passing scores on 2012 FCAT writing exams after results tumbled from prior years.
Robinson has also faced heat after officials admitted that the grades for more than 200 schools had been incorrectly reported.
Robinson, the unanimous choice of the state Board of Education, has aggressively pursued Scotts 2012 education agenda that calls for higher academic standards.
Scott simply said Wednesday he understood Robinsons decision.
His wife, his family is in Richmond, its hard to commute.Hes got young kids, Scott said. But hes done a great job. I know hes going to do well in his life.
The Florida Board of Education stated that under Robinsons leadership, Floridas school system has raised achievement levels for the first time in a decade, obtained a provisional flexibility waiver from the U.S. Department of Education from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act -- one of the first 11 states to receive notification -- and earned national recognition for accomplishments from early childhood learning to the Florida College System.
Florida Democrats have also started to weigh in on how to replace Robinson.
Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, stated that Robinson's resignation "should be a clear indicator to the governor and legislative leaders that recent destructive education reform measures and continued reliance on the FCAT are harmful to the morale and productivity of students and teachers."
Florida House Democratic Leader-designate Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, offered his own advice on the search.
An opportunity now exists to restore trust in Floridas education accountability system. I am hopeful that Governor Rick Scott, legislative leaders and the State Board of Education will use the appointment of a new state education commissioner to begin work -- in bipartisan fashion and with key stakeholders in public education -- to end the misuse of the FCAT.
The FCAT has failed students, teachers, and our state. A new state education commissioner can help Florida install a better and broader education accountability system for every school receiving taxpayer dollars that takes into account all the things students and teachers accomplish throughout the year.
I urge Governor Scott and legislative leaders to start a public conversation now about developing a new education accountability system that can be approved by the Florida Legislature as we move toward the new Common Core State Standards that take effect in 2014.
Meanwhile, at least one parents' group is also making its own push for how the state education leaders can best replace Robinson.
The Orlando-based Fund Education Now wants Governor Scott to choose a commissioner who values a well-rounded, high-quality public education and reduces the emphasis on high-stakes testing.
We want a leader that puts the needs of students and their teachers ahead of the high paid lobbyists that represent for-profit charter operators and private voucher programs.
The Florida State Board of Education has an emergency meeting on Robinson's resignation planned for Thursday morning.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
