Gov. Scott to sign controversial education bill today in Orlando
Gov. Rick Scott today will sign a fiercely controversial education bill at a ceremony at an Orlando Catholic school, his office announced this morning.
The bill (HB 7069) is a nearly 300-page document that tackles multiple education issues, from recess to teachers bonuses to testing. The bill’s backers call it a game changer for public education while its critics say it is manipulative and detrimental.
Its provisions related to charter schools — privately run public institutions — have prompted some of the most controversy, with many educators and school advocates urging Scott to veto the bill because they believe it will reduce funding for traditional public schools.
A group of Orange County teachers and parents planned a rally this afternoon outside the school district’s headquarters to urge Scott to veto the measure. That rally is scheduled for 12:30.p.m.
Scott is to sign the bill at 3:45 p.m. at Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando. Morning Star is the Catholic Diocese’s school for children with special needs.
A section of the bill expands money for Gardiner Scholarships, which provide money to children with significant disabilities that can be used for private school tuition.
Starkly divergent views of the bill were obvious as soon as the news that Scott would sign the bill broke this morning.
“Today is very exciting day for Students and Parents all across FL!” wrote Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, on Twitter. He is a a key education leader in the House.
But the advocacy group Minimize Testing, based in the Florida Keys, tweeted, “6/15/2017 marks the beginning of the end of trad public education in Florida. We will remember today and those who voted for this #7069.”
Scott’s signing of the bill will be a victory for Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The Land O’ Lakes Republican pushed the legislation, particularly its “schools of hope” provision that aims to lure high-performing charter schools to neighborhoods where students in traditional public schools are struggling.
Corcoran and Scott feuded for much of this year, mostly about funding for tourism marking and job incentive programs. But in recent weeks they worked out a deal to restore funding to those programs, as Scott wanted, so many Tallahassee observers then predicted Scott would sign HB 7069, as Corcoran desired.
Corcoran said the “schools of hope” provision will entice top-notch charter schools to open near traditional public schools with poor grades on the state’s A-to-F school report card, giving students more options.
District administrators fear other sections of the legislation, particularly those that will Gov. Scott to sign controversial education bill today in Orlando - Orlando Sentinel:
