Grading Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Education

Background

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has aggressively pushed to change Florida schools since taking office in January 2011.

The first bill Scott signed into law required all state school districts to design a system to evaluate teachers and then pay teachers based on their rating.

The bill also stripped long-term teacher contracts, riling teachers and their unions and sparking a lawsuit challenging the law.

Scott has also been a vocal supporter of charter schools, staging press events at charters in Jacksonville, Opa-Locka, Orlando and elsewhere. Scott did not visit a public school until seven months into his term.

Scott also angered many when he vetoed capital funding for repairs and construction at traditional public schools and universities while signing off on similar money for charters.

As he heads into his second term Scott wants to refocus state universities on graduating more science, technology, engineering and math students to help fill jobs in expanding fields. Scott has also floated the idea of a “parent trigger” law, which would allow a majority of parents to vote to convert a district school into a charter.

Scott also pushed lawmakers to quickly pass a change in state law so Florida could apply for a federal early childhood education grant. If Florida wins the grant, the money would test student progress and train and assess instructors in the state’s voluntary pre-Kindergarten program.

Latest Posts

Follow this topic

March 5, 2013

Governor: ‘We Don’t Want A War On Teachers; We Want A War On Failure’

Gov. Rick Scott delivered his State of the State speech this morning before the Florida Legislature. After thanking lawmakers and family members, education was first on Scott’s agenda. He said he has two priorities for growing the economy: remove the sales tax on manufacturing equipment, and invest in teachers by providing them “a well-deserved pay [...]

Five Education Issues To Watch During The 2013 Florida Legislative Session

The old Florida Capitol building in Tallahassee, with the new Capitol behind it. The 2013 Legislative session begins today.

The 2013 Legislative session officially opens today in Tallahassee. Lawmakers will meet for 60 days and with no election or redistricting, fewer high-profile issues and a small budget surplus, education could be a headline issue this year. Here’s five things to watch as lawmakers return. Budget: Teacher raises? State analysts project Florida will have a [...]

February 27, 2013

Three Quotes About Florida’s New Common Core Education Standards

When the sniping against new state education standards begins, Florida's business leaders were told not to abandon their foxholes.

The Florida Council of 100 held a summit Wednesday in Orlando to discuss Florida’s transition to new education requirements known as Common Core State Standards. Advocates say the standards focus on deeper knowledge of fewer subjects, and not only ask students what they know but to prove how they know it. But there is growing [...]

February 18, 2013

Florida Lawmakers Might Delay New Education Standards, Testing For Some Grades

Sen. John Legg, R-Port Richey, says some Florida schools might not be ready for a fall 2014 deadline for new education standards and testing.

Florida lawmakers are considering allowing the state education commissioner to partially delay implementation of new, tougher education standards and testing. Senate education committee chairman John Legg, R-Port Richey, says Education Commissioner Tony Bennett has asked for 120 days to survey Florida school districts as to whether they can meet the fall 2014 deadline for new [...]

State Board of Education To Get Updates on Gov. Scott’s Budget, Transition To New Education Standards

The State Board of Education convenes this morning in Orlando with a busy agenda. You can watch live here. Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $22 billion education budget will be among the biggest draws. The recommended budget includes a boost in teacher salaries and classroom supplies, money for digital instruction materials, and funds for districts to [...]

January 28, 2013

Florida School Choice Week Highlights Alternative Education Options

It’s National School Choice Week, the week advocates spotlight alternative education options for students. They include “high-performing public schools to public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling” according to a statement from schoolchoiceweek.com. The public awareness campaign is highlighting events around the country – 672 in Florida alone – such as [...]

January 24, 2013

A Billion-Dollar Education Budget Wishlist: Teacher Raises And New Technology

Between new technology needed for tougher state standards and Gov. Scott's proposed teacher raises, budget writers are looking at more than $1 billion in education budget requests.

Gov. Rick Scott wants teachers to get a $2,500 raise in next year’s state budget. But Scott’s proposal will cause some problems for state budget writers facing down other big-ticket education requests. Chief among them is the $441.8 million the state Department of Education has requested to upgrade school technology. The upgrades are needed as [...]

December 27, 2012

The Education Stories To Watch in 2013

The national switch to Common Core standards will continue to be a big story in Florida in 2013.

We’re wrapping up 2012, which means it’s time to peer into the crystal ball for what’s coming up in 2013. Florida’s new education commissioner is likely to be the big story, but Common Core is on the horizon as well. Here’s what we’ll be watching for in the next year. Tony Bennett – Florida’s education [...]

December 24, 2012

Who’s Required To Take The FCAT?

Gov. Rick Scott says students receiving private school tax credit scholarships should have the same requirements as public school students -- including standardized tests.

Gov. Rick Scott says students receiving tax credit scholarships to private schools should be subject to the same regulations as other public school students. That would means taking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or PARCC, the state’s next generation of standardized test which will replace FCAT. But it’s important to note that not every public [...]

December 20, 2012

Poll Finds Voters ‘Dead-Set’ Against Education Agenda in Florida

Florida voters don’t like education proposals pushed by state leaders and Gov. Rick Scott. Really don’t like them, according to a new Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll. Quinnipiac pollsters say voters are “dead-set” against a series of school reform efforts by state leaders. The worst offender is a plan to set different achievement goals for students [...]