Republicans like to say that Florida is their model of good education policy. Betsy DeVos said so. Not her own state, because Michigan voters rejected vouchers three times.
Florida also rejected vouchers in 2012, by a decisive vote of 55-44. They voted down the voucher proposal crafted by Jeb Bush even though it was deceptively called the “Religious Freedom Amendment.” How many people would vote against “religious freedom”? A majority, as it turned out. Had it been called “An Amendment to Permit School Vouchers,” it might have gone down 65-35% or more, as in other states. But privatization of public goods requires stealth and lying.
So Florida engaged in a workaround, led by Jeb Bush, to defy the voters’ wishes.
Because Jeb believes in “total voucherization.” He sees no role for public schools. He spends his waking hours figuring out new ways to privatize public schools and put state money into the pockets of profiteers.
He created a tax credit scheme so corporations and rich individuals could give money to a nonprofit (Step Up for Students) which then gave the money as “scholarships” to students to attend religious schools. Thus, despite the voters’ clear rejection of vouchers, Jeb ensured that Florida has them.
And of course, Florida has one of the most politically connected and corrupt charter industries in the nation. Members of the Legislature have ownership interests in charter schools and regularly vote themselves bigger tax subsidies.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Another fool!
That article is over two(2) years old. Do you have anything more recent?
Charles,
Do you have evidence that Jeb Bush changed his mind? He gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in 2012 saying the same thing.
2012 is five(5) years ago. I have no evidence, nor documentation, indicating that Jeb Bush has altered his views with respect to school choice/voucherization.
For a more recent analysis of Jeb Bush’s views (on education) , please see
http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Jeb_Bush_Education.htm
Charles,
Jeb has not changed his views. In 2012, he introduced a constituonalmamendment for vouchers in Florida called the “Religious Freedom Amendment.” Who believed that anyone in Florida would vote against Religious Freedom? It was defeated 55-44%. Only a fool would think that this tiger has changed his stripes.
I agree that Jeb Bush has not altered his views on this subject. I have found no evidence or documentation to show otherwise. I believe that he has been in favor of school choice for some time. I cannot predict the future, but I cannot imagine him altering his views on this subject.
We agree.
Charles: I would add that the point of the post was that voucher proponents used subterfuge in a referendum. It’s timing seems like a thing beside the point. How do you react to introducing this type of bill as a matter of religious freedom?
Q I would add that the point of the post was that voucher proponents used subterfuge in a referendum. It’s timing seems like a thing beside the point. How do you react to introducing this type of bill as a matter of religious freedom? END Q
In the referendum, the proponents used techniques of marketing, which some would interpret as “subterfuge”. Cloaking a proposal in religion, is an old tactic. Proponents of the prohibition of alcohol, wrapped themselves up in religion. So what?
Life insurance firms call their policies “estate planning”, and when they did this, they sold more policies.
Some people object to publicly-operated schools, teaching their children concepts which are at variance with their religious beliefs. They object to their children being instructed in evolution, equal rights for LGBT persons, etc. Some (not all) parents would like to withdraw their children from schools which teach these concepts, and send their children to religiously-operated schools.
Politicians use all types of marketing tools, to sell their policies. Franklin Roosevelt used radio to great advantage. Reagan mastered television. Trump has exploited social media, especially Twitter.
If proponents of school choice/vouchers can use religion to “sell” the concepts, I say terrific.
“Politics is the art of the possible” – Thomas P. O’Neill
Propaganda is a polite word for lying.
Trump and DeVos are proposing making “scholarship vouchers” part of their tax overhaul. No surprise that this plan would give wealthy taxpayers a way to pay less tax. It would also shift more tax burden to other taxpayers, or more programs would have to be cut. http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-na-trump-florida-vouchers-20170302-story.html
GREED and POWER! This is NOT what our founders had in mind.
Sick!
Jeb Bush will be frozen in Dante’s 9th circle of Hell.
The last Ninth Circle of Hell is divided into 4 Rounds according to the seriousness of the sin though all residents are frozen in an icy lake. Those who committed more severe sin are deeper within the ice. Each of the 4 Rounds is named after an individual who personifies the sin. Thus Round 1 is named Caina after Cain who killed his brother Abel, Round 2 is named Antenora after Anthenor of Troy who was Priam’s counselor during the Trojan War, Round 3 is named Ptolomaea after Ptolemy (son of Abubus), while Round 4 is named Judecca after Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Jeb belongs with Judas.
And thanks to the venal democrats in the state legislature, Illinois is now taking its first steps along the voucher path, giving charter-lovin’ governor Bruce Rauner exactly what he wants. Shame on the Dems and the spineless IFT for contuining to prop up Illinois House Speaker Madigan. In 2010, with the state of Illinois in solid democrat control, Madigan gave us the infamous SB7. Now we have SB 1, which calls for up to $75 million in annual tax credits for private school vouchers.
Madigan is a sell-out, a Democrat who votes like a Republican. A dupe. A betrayer of the public interest.
Voucher advocates NEVER mention that one of the driving forces behind the success of private schools is that STUDENTS are held just as accountable as the teachers. They only focus on the fact that private schools can easily fire ineffective teachers. The private schools have the ability to reject or kick out students who cannot or will not perform academically and/or behaviorally. That gives those families a huge motivation to do well. Traditional public schools cannot do that.
Under “total voucherization,” will public schools gain those privileges? I doubt it. Hence, they would be creating a duel system where public schools will fail….by design,
Private schools almost never fire teachers. Pay is low. Benefits are poor. They hold on to teachers.
Wow. I didn’t realize that was the case.