![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/files\/2013\/02\/2-8-DonGaetz.jpg\" "\\"2-8")
<\/a>The Florida Senate<\/p>
Florida Senate President Don Gaetz is a former superintendent who wants to revamp career education programs.<\/p><\/div>\n
Under Gaetz, Okaloosa schools rose from middle of the pack, according to the state\u2019s report card system, to the state\u2019s highest- or second-highest scoring district.<\/p>\n
Now Gaetz, a Republican, is president of the Florida Senate. And he is pushing similar changes across Florida.<\/p>\n
Gaetz is a former journalist and hospital executive who saw politics as a way to make big changes for schools and health. Gaetz won his first election for school board in 1994. He was elected superintendent in 2000, resigning the post when he won his Senate seat in 2006.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned early on that if you want to do something differently, if you want to do something innovative, generally speaking, there\u2019s a door you have to go through in Tallahassee or Washington to get it done,\u201d he told StateImpact Florida in an interview last week. \u201cI wanted to try and get through the door in Washington or in Tallahassee to do something to improve health care, to do something to improve the educational quality of my own children\u2019s schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
Related<\/h4>Posts<\/h5>- Senate President Says Florida Should Meet Deadline For New Education Standards, Testing<\/a><\/li>
- House Speaker Wants To Change ‘Culture Of Mediocrity’ In Higher Education<\/a><\/li>
- Five Education Issues To Watch During The 2013 Florida Legislative Session<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Topics<\/h5>
![](\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/files\/2012\/05\/1-14-TonyBennettFloridaDoE-e1358193519800.jpg\")
Changing Chiefs: Tony Bennett Takes Over As Florida Education Commissioner<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>Career Certifications In School<\/strong><\/h4>\nIn Okaloosa, Gaetz said, he had three goals: Improve student performance, solidify financial management and create better customer relations with parents, teachers and the community. Frakes said Gaetz\u2019 best talent was the ability to identify and hire smart, capable people.<\/p>\n
As Senate leader, his focus this year is the Career and Professional Education Act, or CAPE<\/a>. That\u2019s a Florida law that helps business create special academies within high schools to provide students real-world job experience. Gaetz wants to expand the program to middle schools.<\/p>\nBusinesses create the academies and curriculum based on what workers they need and supplying he instructors and testing. Academy graduates can earn professional certifications and college or university credit.<\/p>\n
This year, Florida students can earn 428 different certifications<\/a> in things like computer networking products, computer-assisted design or becoming a registered cardiac sonographer.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s not your grandparents\u2019 vo-tech,\u201d Gaetz said, referring to the old vocational job programs that focused on trades. \u201cIt\u2019s rigorous academic coursework, but it\u2019s applied coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaetz learned from his brother, who struggled with geometry in school. But after earning his high school diploma in the Navy, Gaetz said, his brother applies geometry as a cabinet maker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will allow kids to get such a jump,\u201d said Adam Giery, who works on education issues for the Florida Chamber of Commerce<\/a>. \u201cThe senator and his staff reached out to the business community. They brought in the stakeholders and said, \u2018How can we make this work?\u2019 Not the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/files\/2012\/11\/scott-and-gaetz.jpg\" "\\"scott")
<\/a>FLGOVSCOTT\/flickr<\/p>
Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President-Designate Don Gaetz.<\/p><\/div>\n
A Bush Acolyte<\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz considers himself an acolyte of former Gov. Jeb Bush and admires Bush\u2019s thinking on education, particularly when it comes to school choice. When the Foundation for Florida\u2019s Future \u2013 an organization Bush founded — released legislative grades last year, Gaetz earned a spot on the honor roll.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the state\u2019s teacher\u2019s union complained that a House bill would change evaluation requirements for charter school teachers<\/a>. If so, comparing charter school teacher evaluations to traditional school teacher evaluations would be unfair, the union argued.<\/p>\nThe Florida Department of Education says the dispute was a misunderstanding, and that all teachers at publicly funded schools are subject to the same evaluation requirements.<\/p>\n
But Gaetz wasn\u2019t worried either way<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve been in business for 30 years. I\u2019ve never asked for an even playing field,\u201d Gaetz said of the complaints at the time. \u201cYou can\u2019t make everything equal\u2026but you\u2019re not going to get paid the same, you\u2019re not going to get treated the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
That drew ire around the state from teachers, parents and others who disapprove of Florida\u2019s education policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis man oozes contempt for public schools and public school teachers,\u201d<\/a> wrote blogger Chris Guerrieri.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/files\/2013\/02\/Sen.DonGaetz.jpg\" "\\"Sen.DonGaetz\\"")
<\/a> <\/p>
Senate President Don Gaetz says students and teachers should have school choice options.<\/p><\/div>\n
New Graduation Standards? <\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz, with the CAPE bill, and House lawmakers have proposed easing Florida high school graduation requirements. That has drawn scrutiny from the Foundation for Florida’s Future.<\/p>\n
For years Florida lawmakers —\u00a0 supported by the foundation — have added more requirements for graduation, such as two years of algebra and taking at least one online course. The director of the Foundation For Florida\u2019s Future cautioned House lawmakers against \u201cwalking away\u201d from high graduation standards<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe alternative diploma route is no less rigorous than the traditional diploma, Gaetz said. Those students would still be completing highly technical courses, he said, but might find those classes more relevant to their career plans.<\/p>\n
“We still want students to be able to pass algebra,” he said. “We want them to be able to read.<\/p>\n
“But if they can learn other skills in an applied fashion, what we found was, in our schools when we did this, students were coming early, staying late. They were excited. They were interested.”<\/p>\n
Related<\/h4>Posts<\/h5>- Senate President Says Florida Should Meet Deadline For New Education Standards, Testing<\/a><\/li>
- House Speaker Wants To Change ‘Culture Of Mediocrity’ In Higher Education<\/a><\/li>
- Five Education Issues To Watch During The 2013 Florida Legislative Session<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Topics<\/h5>
Changing Chiefs: Tony Bennett Takes Over As Florida Education Commissioner<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>Career Certifications In School<\/strong><\/h4>\nIn Okaloosa, Gaetz said, he had three goals: Improve student performance, solidify financial management and create better customer relations with parents, teachers and the community. Frakes said Gaetz\u2019 best talent was the ability to identify and hire smart, capable people.<\/p>\n
As Senate leader, his focus this year is the Career and Professional Education Act, or CAPE<\/a>. That\u2019s a Florida law that helps business create special academies within high schools to provide students real-world job experience. Gaetz wants to expand the program to middle schools.<\/p>\nBusinesses create the academies and curriculum based on what workers they need and supplying he instructors and testing. Academy graduates can earn professional certifications and college or university credit.<\/p>\n
This year, Florida students can earn 428 different certifications<\/a> in things like computer networking products, computer-assisted design or becoming a registered cardiac sonographer.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s not your grandparents\u2019 vo-tech,\u201d Gaetz said, referring to the old vocational job programs that focused on trades. \u201cIt\u2019s rigorous academic coursework, but it\u2019s applied coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaetz learned from his brother, who struggled with geometry in school. But after earning his high school diploma in the Navy, Gaetz said, his brother applies geometry as a cabinet maker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will allow kids to get such a jump,\u201d said Adam Giery, who works on education issues for the Florida Chamber of Commerce<\/a>. \u201cThe senator and his staff reached out to the business community. They brought in the stakeholders and said, \u2018How can we make this work?\u2019 Not the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>FLGOVSCOTT\/flickr<\/p>
Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President-Designate Don Gaetz.<\/p><\/div>\n
A Bush Acolyte<\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz considers himself an acolyte of former Gov. Jeb Bush and admires Bush\u2019s thinking on education, particularly when it comes to school choice. When the Foundation for Florida\u2019s Future \u2013 an organization Bush founded — released legislative grades last year, Gaetz earned a spot on the honor roll.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the state\u2019s teacher\u2019s union complained that a House bill would change evaluation requirements for charter school teachers<\/a>. If so, comparing charter school teacher evaluations to traditional school teacher evaluations would be unfair, the union argued.<\/p>\nThe Florida Department of Education says the dispute was a misunderstanding, and that all teachers at publicly funded schools are subject to the same evaluation requirements.<\/p>\n
But Gaetz wasn\u2019t worried either way<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve been in business for 30 years. I\u2019ve never asked for an even playing field,\u201d Gaetz said of the complaints at the time. \u201cYou can\u2019t make everything equal\u2026but you\u2019re not going to get paid the same, you\u2019re not going to get treated the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
That drew ire around the state from teachers, parents and others who disapprove of Florida\u2019s education policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis man oozes contempt for public schools and public school teachers,\u201d<\/a> wrote blogger Chris Guerrieri.<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/p>
Senate President Don Gaetz says students and teachers should have school choice options.<\/p><\/div>\n
New Graduation Standards? <\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz, with the CAPE bill, and House lawmakers have proposed easing Florida high school graduation requirements. That has drawn scrutiny from the Foundation for Florida’s Future.<\/p>\n
For years Florida lawmakers —\u00a0 supported by the foundation — have added more requirements for graduation, such as two years of algebra and taking at least one online course. The director of the Foundation For Florida\u2019s Future cautioned House lawmakers against \u201cwalking away\u201d from high graduation standards<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe alternative diploma route is no less rigorous than the traditional diploma, Gaetz said. Those students would still be completing highly technical courses, he said, but might find those classes more relevant to their career plans.<\/p>\n
“We still want students to be able to pass algebra,” he said. “We want them to be able to read.<\/p>\n
“But if they can learn other skills in an applied fashion, what we found was, in our schools when we did this, students were coming early, staying late. They were excited. They were interested.”<\/p>\n
Posts<\/h5>- Senate President Says Florida Should Meet Deadline For New Education Standards, Testing<\/a><\/li>
- House Speaker Wants To Change ‘Culture Of Mediocrity’ In Higher Education<\/a><\/li>
- Five Education Issues To Watch During The 2013 Florida Legislative Session<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Topics<\/h5>
Changing Chiefs: Tony Bennett Takes Over As Florida Education Commissioner<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>Career Certifications In School<\/strong><\/h4>\nIn Okaloosa, Gaetz said, he had three goals: Improve student performance, solidify financial management and create better customer relations with parents, teachers and the community. Frakes said Gaetz\u2019 best talent was the ability to identify and hire smart, capable people.<\/p>\n
As Senate leader, his focus this year is the Career and Professional Education Act, or CAPE<\/a>. That\u2019s a Florida law that helps business create special academies within high schools to provide students real-world job experience. Gaetz wants to expand the program to middle schools.<\/p>\nBusinesses create the academies and curriculum based on what workers they need and supplying he instructors and testing. Academy graduates can earn professional certifications and college or university credit.<\/p>\n
This year, Florida students can earn 428 different certifications<\/a> in things like computer networking products, computer-assisted design or becoming a registered cardiac sonographer.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s not your grandparents\u2019 vo-tech,\u201d Gaetz said, referring to the old vocational job programs that focused on trades. \u201cIt\u2019s rigorous academic coursework, but it\u2019s applied coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaetz learned from his brother, who struggled with geometry in school. But after earning his high school diploma in the Navy, Gaetz said, his brother applies geometry as a cabinet maker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will allow kids to get such a jump,\u201d said Adam Giery, who works on education issues for the Florida Chamber of Commerce<\/a>. \u201cThe senator and his staff reached out to the business community. They brought in the stakeholders and said, \u2018How can we make this work?\u2019 Not the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>FLGOVSCOTT\/flickr<\/p>
Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President-Designate Don Gaetz.<\/p><\/div>\n
A Bush Acolyte<\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz considers himself an acolyte of former Gov. Jeb Bush and admires Bush\u2019s thinking on education, particularly when it comes to school choice. When the Foundation for Florida\u2019s Future \u2013 an organization Bush founded — released legislative grades last year, Gaetz earned a spot on the honor roll.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the state\u2019s teacher\u2019s union complained that a House bill would change evaluation requirements for charter school teachers<\/a>. If so, comparing charter school teacher evaluations to traditional school teacher evaluations would be unfair, the union argued.<\/p>\nThe Florida Department of Education says the dispute was a misunderstanding, and that all teachers at publicly funded schools are subject to the same evaluation requirements.<\/p>\n
But Gaetz wasn\u2019t worried either way<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve been in business for 30 years. I\u2019ve never asked for an even playing field,\u201d Gaetz said of the complaints at the time. \u201cYou can\u2019t make everything equal\u2026but you\u2019re not going to get paid the same, you\u2019re not going to get treated the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
That drew ire around the state from teachers, parents and others who disapprove of Florida\u2019s education policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis man oozes contempt for public schools and public school teachers,\u201d<\/a> wrote blogger Chris Guerrieri.<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/p>
Senate President Don Gaetz says students and teachers should have school choice options.<\/p><\/div>\n
New Graduation Standards? <\/strong><\/h4>\nGaetz, with the CAPE bill, and House lawmakers have proposed easing Florida high school graduation requirements. That has drawn scrutiny from the Foundation for Florida’s Future.<\/p>\n
For years Florida lawmakers —\u00a0 supported by the foundation — have added more requirements for graduation, such as two years of algebra and taking at least one online course. The director of the Foundation For Florida\u2019s Future cautioned House lawmakers against \u201cwalking away\u201d from high graduation standards<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe alternative diploma route is no less rigorous than the traditional diploma, Gaetz said. Those students would still be completing highly technical courses, he said, but might find those classes more relevant to their career plans.<\/p>\n
“We still want students to be able to pass algebra,” he said. “We want them to be able to read.<\/p>\n
“But if they can learn other skills in an applied fashion, what we found was, in our schools when we did this, students were coming early, staying late. They were excited. They were interested.”<\/p>\n
Topics<\/h5>
In Okaloosa, Gaetz said, he had three goals: Improve student performance, solidify financial management and create better customer relations with parents, teachers and the community. Frakes said Gaetz\u2019 best talent was the ability to identify and hire smart, capable people.<\/p>\n As Senate leader, his focus this year is the Career and Professional Education Act, or CAPE<\/a>. That\u2019s a Florida law that helps business create special academies within high schools to provide students real-world job experience. Gaetz wants to expand the program to middle schools.<\/p>\n Businesses create the academies and curriculum based on what workers they need and supplying he instructors and testing. Academy graduates can earn professional certifications and college or university credit.<\/p>\n This year, Florida students can earn 428 different certifications<\/a> in things like computer networking products, computer-assisted design or becoming a registered cardiac sonographer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not your grandparents\u2019 vo-tech,\u201d Gaetz said, referring to the old vocational job programs that focused on trades. \u201cIt\u2019s rigorous academic coursework, but it\u2019s applied coursework.\u201d<\/p>\n Gaetz learned from his brother, who struggled with geometry in school. But after earning his high school diploma in the Navy, Gaetz said, his brother applies geometry as a cabinet maker.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will allow kids to get such a jump,\u201d said Adam Giery, who works on education issues for the Florida Chamber of Commerce<\/a>. \u201cThe senator and his staff reached out to the business community. They brought in the stakeholders and said, \u2018How can we make this work?\u2019 Not the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n FLGOVSCOTT\/flickr<\/p> Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President-Designate Don Gaetz.<\/p><\/div>\n Gaetz considers himself an acolyte of former Gov. Jeb Bush and admires Bush\u2019s thinking on education, particularly when it comes to school choice. When the Foundation for Florida\u2019s Future \u2013 an organization Bush founded — released legislative grades last year, Gaetz earned a spot on the honor roll.<\/p>\n Earlier this year the state\u2019s teacher\u2019s union complained that a House bill would change evaluation requirements for charter school teachers<\/a>. If so, comparing charter school teacher evaluations to traditional school teacher evaluations would be unfair, the union argued.<\/p>\n The Florida Department of Education says the dispute was a misunderstanding, and that all teachers at publicly funded schools are subject to the same evaluation requirements.<\/p>\n But Gaetz wasn\u2019t worried either way<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been in business for 30 years. I\u2019ve never asked for an even playing field,\u201d Gaetz said of the complaints at the time. \u201cYou can\u2019t make everything equal\u2026but you\u2019re not going to get paid the same, you\u2019re not going to get treated the same.\u201d<\/p>\n That drew ire around the state from teachers, parents and others who disapprove of Florida\u2019s education policies.<\/p>\n \u201cThis man oozes contempt for public schools and public school teachers,\u201d<\/a> wrote blogger Chris Guerrieri.<\/p>\n <\/p> Senate President Don Gaetz says students and teachers should have school choice options.<\/p><\/div>\n Gaetz, with the CAPE bill, and House lawmakers have proposed easing Florida high school graduation requirements. That has drawn scrutiny from the Foundation for Florida’s Future.<\/p>\n For years Florida lawmakers —\u00a0 supported by the foundation — have added more requirements for graduation, such as two years of algebra and taking at least one online course. The director of the Foundation For Florida\u2019s Future cautioned House lawmakers against \u201cwalking away\u201d from high graduation standards<\/a>.<\/p>\n The alternative diploma route is no less rigorous than the traditional diploma, Gaetz said. Those students would still be completing highly technical courses, he said, but might find those classes more relevant to their career plans.<\/p>\n “We still want students to be able to pass algebra,” he said. “We want them to be able to read.<\/p>\n “But if they can learn other skills in an applied fashion, what we found was, in our schools when we did this, students were coming early, staying late. They were excited. They were interested.”<\/p>\nChanging Chiefs: Tony Bennett Takes Over As Florida Education Commissioner<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>Career Certifications In School<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/a>A Bush Acolyte<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>New Graduation Standards? <\/strong><\/h4>\n