Over the years the Florida legislature has passed a series of laws in hopes of reworking public school education in the state of Florida. Since 2000, Florida has added the FCAT, the A+ & A++ school grading system, provided school vouchers, and asked for a reduction in the class size amendment. And yet none of these compare to the changes proposed last year. Florida’s legislature wanted to end teacher tenure, end increased teacher pay for advanced degrees, and base teacher pay on student performance on standardized tests. Although reform is needed, the bill was not perfect. The bills would have become law had it not been for the VETO of Governor Crist.
As of this month Charlie Crist is no longer governor of Florida and the built-in protector of teachers gone. Governor elect Rick Scott has already admitted he like the idea of educational reform in Florida and is believed by many to support the ideas proposed by Florida’s legislature last year.
To many these ideas sound good. With a little research one will find that they are nothing but political talking points. How can teachers be solely judged on the performance of their students on a standardized test when we do not teach how to take a test? How can we be assessed as a teacher when we have no control of our student’s lives outside of school? We do not study with them, we do not provide a stable home, we cannot make sure they eat and yet I am to be judged on how they perform on a test? And what about teachers that do not teach core subject areas? How are they to be judged? And now the state legislature is talking about not paying teachers for having advanced degrees. Teachers that spend the time to continue their education with a Masters degree or a doctorate will receive no additional salary despite taking on student loans and gaining degrees to assist in their teaching.
This discussion could continue for years and yet we have only months to make a difference. I recommend that everyone learn about the issues of education and see where you may fall. Listen to the valid points on both sides and please contact your elected officials with your opinion. Make a difference!
Mrs. Donovan …
