Rick Scott, Michelle Rhee praised charter school that just got an F (partly)

When Gov. Rick Scott unveiled some of his education policy proposals with school-choice celeb Michelle Rhee this January, they paid a visit to a second-grade class at Florida International Academy in Opa-Locka to showcase the successes of school choice.

Oops.

The school rankings are out. And the academy's new elementary school just got an F.

The middle school, though, earned a B. Last year the middle school was an A. Before then, the academy was an F school based on the students' performance on Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test. Based on that F-to-A performance of the middle school, Scott decided to travel to the site to tout its successes, but they also highlighted the new elementary school as well.

"We have to make sure our system does exactly what you are doing here at Florida International Academy, " Scott said to a group of parents, students and teachers, according to this Miami Herald story.
 
Rhee said the Opa-locka school was a perfect example of how charter schools can accomplish things quicker and at a lower cost than typical public schools because there is less paperwork involved.
 
For example, Florida International Academy built an expansion -- scheduled to open later this year -- for a one-third less than a comparable public school because it did not have to follow the same procurement and other policies when it comes to construction, Rhee said.
 
"There needs to be more accountability, " she said. "We spend more money per child than any other nation, and the results do not come with it."

Staff writer Kathleen McGrory contributed to this report

 

Comments

[Lisadee]

Yep...this is the idiot that runs our state. How embarassing.

[Arthur]

I'm sure if they're not providing an education, that's fine with him. An educated public would question the scruples of this snake.

[Anti-Tallahassee]

Thank you for highlighting the political truth behind the Repugnant's education "reform." Charter schools are automatically better because they pander to Repugnant constituents and their skewed view of reality. The people of Florida are being abused in this "reform" process. Article IX of the Florida constitution is being ignored by the same people who claim to be constitutionalists.

[Randall McMurphy]

But that's exactly what Scott and Rhee want--an uneducated underclass.

[joe]

what would you expect from Spaceman Scott and his Korean witch?

[Truth be Told]

For example, Florida International Academy built an expansion -- scheduled to open later this year -- for a one-third less than a comparable public school because it did not have to follow the same procurement and other policies when it comes to construction, Rhee said.

Exactly Ms. Rhee, only public schools are held to high standards, accountability, and have to follow unfunded legislative policies. You can say it Ms. Rhee, you hate public schools, everyone knows the truth.

[Rhee is anti-public education]

Ms. Rhee and her foundation are in the business to see public education fail. She is invested and is financially sustained to promote the destruction of public schools.

[BalereSchool]

Balere Language Academy in South Miami Heights is now an A school. Education first!!! www.Balere-Academy.org -

[Dave]

Oldest charter school in our county failed this year. Another collapsed in scandal and financial failure. Another has barely survived. Read Diane Ravitch's book...she tells both sides of the story on education.

[construction categorical tax $]

Of course private enterprise can build a school cheaper than the state government. Local construction money comes from Tally. "Expensive" regulations that Tally puts on county government are either more pork for the taxpayer that goes to private business and their lobbyists, or the charters are building unsafe buildings for our kids. I vote for the former being the truth!

[Diane]

It is a sad situation when we attempt to privatize education and fund private enterprise. I see this as an attempt to further destroy the American dream of equal opportunity for all children. Already the wealthy educate their children in private schools because the plan is not to develop critical and creative thinkers in our public schools. We can see that when we see who Florida has voted for as governor of the state.

[Terri]

This politician and his side kick have had an agenda from day one. To undercut public education in the state of Florida and to allow big businesses to run the show. Watch out all! He is just getting started on his agenda to run the average citizen into the gound and to harm our children in the process.

[maria]

well i think they are just trying to support the dumb children instead