Scathing Purple Musings
Color me purple in Florida ALL Week
Common Core Support Among Conservatives Continues to Crumble
Consider the following list of heavy weight conservatives who are opposing Common Core Standards: Phyllis Schlafly - Author, constitutional lawyer and activist Glenn Beck - Radio talk show host, author, former FOX News show host, founder of TheBlaze TV Network and Magazine George Will - FOX News contributor, author, syndicated columnist for the Washington Post Michelle Malkin - Author, syndicated
Common Core a Jeb Bush Federal Power Grab? Of Course It Is
The Northwest Florida Daily News which serves a three-county republican stronghold takes a sober look at Common Core Standards and the role that former Florida governor Jeb Bush has played. After dryly pointing out “Common Core isn’t really going away in Florida, just the name, ” the editors offer this: …the real question is not whether this is a federal power grab. Of course it is. The real quest
YESTERDAY
Florida’s High School Seniors: Our Ill-Served FCAT Generation
The wonderful high school seniors for whom Florida teachers have gained great affection will be walking the halls of state schools for just a few more days. They do so with a sad, knowing smile of what the last few days – and last months have already been about. Since February, the school they love, rich in its own unique,nurturing culture and a place where learning and accomplishment take place
MAY 08
Stagnant Grade 12 Scores Show “Failure of Test-Driven Public Education”
From FairTest: Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for twelfth graders “underscore the failure of federal and state test-driven school policies,” according to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest). Today’s report shows no NAEP score improvement for high school seniors in reading or math since 2009 and little progress over the past decade. Over t
Michelle Rhee’s – and Jeb Bush’s – Disasterous Day on FOX News
Michelle Rhee wants no part of Michelle Malkin in ANY debate, yet alone one on Common Core. This weeks appearance on FOX News didn’t go as well for Michelle Rhee as she had hoped as she didn’t get the puff ball questions she assumed she would. Writing in the popular conservative web site, American Thinker, Ann Kane noticed: In response to Rhee’s praise of the Common Core Standards on Fox News’ Sp
MAY 06
The Florida PTA? Not THOSE Parents!
Washington Post writer, Valerie Strauss pointed out the indefensible double-standard which Florida republican legislators operate when it comes to education policy. One statement in particular stood out to Strauss: The Associated Press quoted Sen. Joe Negron, a Republican from Stuart, as saying “Let’s let parents decide. Parents are the first and best educators.” Funny thing about that: The best-k
MAY 05
“There is school choice and there is the destruction of public education choice”
A teacher and candidate for Marion School Board, Diane Schrier writes in the Ocala Star Banner: Marion County has been lucky so far, as we’ve managed to be able to keep out most of these organizations (for-profit charter schools) through implementation of special programs when needed. However, that will change this year. A new application form has been approved by the Legislature streamlining th
MAY 04
Jeb Bush’s “Seperate-But-Unequal Educational Choice System”
Scathing Purple Musings won’t have to add much to Tom Romano’s take-down in the Tampa Bay Times of legislation which expanded Florida’s school voucher system. Students, teachers and administrators are seemingly held captive by standardized tests in public schools, and yet tax revenues flow into private schools with few checks and balances and virtually no oversight. Vouchers were sold as a way for
Did Step Up for Students Buy Florida Voucher Expansion?
At some point, the Republican-dominated Florida senate was going to be able to impose their will on expanding Florida’s voucher system. Few legislators have fought against what’s now become a clear effort by Republican lawmakers to eliminate public schools as has Sen. Dwight Bullard (D-Miami). During debate Friday, Bullard made an astonishing objection. This from Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Ga
MAY 02
Dr. Rosa Castro Feinberg: With Best Wishes to Valentin: Conflicts Between ESOL and Florida Voucher Law
Reprinted in its entirety with permission from Dr. Rosa Castro Feinberg In respond to my columns, Julio Fuentes, President & CEO of the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options and board member for Step Up for Students (SUFS), has filled up a remarkably large number of pages but has not and cannot deny the truths I’ve presented on any of them. (See Mr. Fuentes comments at http://vox