District Administration - October 2011 - (Page 83)

Changing of the Guard in Florida How will the state’s new education commissioner and governor impact K12 momentum? By ed finKel efore and during the tenure of florida’s former education commissioner, eric J. smith, the state made bold moves toward incorporating charter schools, began corporate “scholarship” programs that provide funding for students to attend private schools, implemented class-size caps that voters approved via referendum, and earned $700 million in federal money through round two of race to the top. smith resigned June 10, and according to what state board of education member Kathleen shanahan told the St. Petersburg Times, newly elected gov. rick scott did not force smith out—but he did not embrace him either. gerard robinson was chosen by the state Board of education to continue the state’s reform efforts. Known as a proponent of charter schools and school choice, robinson, who held the same job in Virginia, helped to spur the Virginia general assembly to create both public charter schools and college laboratory schools while expanding public school virtual learning programs through the opportunity to learn legislation. in his previous role as president of the Black alliance for educational options, a nonprofit that advocates for parental school choice policies for low- to moderate-income african-americans, robinson worked to open new small schools with grant money from the Bill and melinda gates foundation and expanded the alliance’s work in the southern united states. When robinson arrived in tallahassee on aug. 8, he was familiar with the hot-button issues that faced him but was still mapping out how to move forward. he has some rough ideas: plenty of high-quality school choices for parents; merit pay for teachers, provided it’s based on rigorous evaluations and not just scores used for the state’s a-Plus system or no child left Behind; balancing voters’ wishes on small class sizes with possible waivers when district budgets are strapped; and carefully triaging which budget holes the state’s race to the top funds will fill. “gerard brings to florida a long and remarkable set of accomplishments in innovation and proven results that will help us continue putting children first, improving our schools, and ensuring florida has the besteducated workforce,” said gov. rick scott in a statement when the state board of education approved robinson’s selection. “his leadership as an experienced education reformer and advocate for school choice and closing the achievement gap is exactly what florida needs to reach the next level of education reforms that will benefit both our students and the businesses of our state.” William J. montford, ceo of the florida association of district school superintendents (fadss), says he looks forward to working with robinson. “he has already shown that he is eager and receptive to our ideas and especially our concerns, and we have every reason to believe that he will take our suggestions and concerns into account,” says montford, also a democratic state senator who represents various counties in north florida that includes the state capital of tallahassee. “We see him as part of our team, and i’m confident that he sees the 67 school superintendents [in florida] as part of his team too.” montford does not expect his members to agree with everything robinson proposes. “The question is, how do you deal with those disagreements to do the best for our young people?” he says. “We believe he www.DistrictAdministration.com October 2011 83 B http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - October 2011

District Administration - October 2011
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Transportation Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Building a Blended Learning Program
How Are Science Fairs Fairing?
A New Age for Algebra
Early College High Schools
Changing of the Guard in Florida
CIO News
How Much Computing Power Do You Need?
An Unconventional Approach to 1:1
New Books
Problem/ Solution
Research Center
Product Focus
New Products
Professional Opinion
Going Mobile
Online Edge

District Administration - October 2011

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