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State Wins Lawsuit Over Adequacy of Education

May 25th, 2016 by Mike Vasilinda

 

Educational and political leaders are trumpeting their  win in a 7 year legal battle over whether Florida Schools were living up to their constitutional mandate. As Mike Vasilinda tells us,  the legal battle is not over.

Florida’s Constitution requires a free, uniform, high quality public school system. But, for the last seven years, educators, parents and politicians have been arguing over what that really means in court.

“Please be seated” said the judge as he entered the courtroom last month.

In a 29 page ruling, Circuit Judge George Reynolds found that schools are not being shortchanged.   Patricia Levesque, executive Director of The Foundation for Florida’s Future, a Jeb bush founded school accountability group, says she is thrilled.

“Particularly because its a victory for students. There’s so many of the things we’ve worked on for several years have to do with empowering parents with choice, making sure we invest in high quality teachers” says Levesque.

Jeb Bush signed the reform and voucher legislation on June 21, 1999 telling reporters:

“I think we’re in for a renaissance in public education.”

Citizens for Strong Schools, which filed the lawsuit, promises an appeal.

One of the things the judge questioned in his 29 page opinion, is why it takes so long to improve failing public schools.

The judge used the word surprised and said parents don’t want their kids in an F school.

Florida Teachers say it’s by design, not coincidence that schools can fail four years or more. They’re challenging the voucher provision in a separate lawsuit. FEA President JoAnn McCall says they are willing to help.

“Shame on the state of Florida for saying take a voucher and go. Let’s fix where the problem is and we’re ready to help them do that if they would just ask” says McCall.

Both cases are likely to be decided by the state Supreme Court. In the meantime, it will be status quo for Florida Schools.

Lawmakers have praised the judges ruling and have called on Florida teachers to once again drop their lawsuit challenging the voucher provision. A hearing on their case was held earlier this month at the First District Court of Appeal.

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