One step forward, two steps back — that is an accurate summary of the progress Gov. Rick Scott’s education policies have yielded.
On Monday, Alligator columnist Nick Eagle drowned readers in a tsunami of carefully-selected statistics combined with misleading statements supporting Scott. Eagle asked Florida voters to look at the track record of both candidates, as well as each of their agendas. Eagle also took it upon himself to detail each of their track records through lenses that betrayed a fairly obvious conservative bias.
Eagle juggled a couple of political footballs, including the economy and the Affordable Care Act. He started by comparing job growth statistics under the two candidates. However, he quickly acknowledged that he was comparing apples and oranges because each candidate worked in distinct economic conditions, with Scott on the more fortunate half of the recession. So, he dropped the topic.
Eagle then brought attention to the candidates’ differing views on the Affordable Care Act — a piece of legislation that, frankly, is completely irrelevant to this gubernatorial race because neither candidate can override the federal government’s legislation. Still, Eagle snuck in his 2 cents — or rather, Scott’s — and moved on.
Once it was apparent that these political hot potatoes were leading him nowhere, Eagle found a topic and clung to it: Education. “Education???” I thought, as I read the column. Scott has arguably done more damage to Florida’s public education system than any recent governor — with FCAT champion Jeb Bush right behind.
Eagle used a series of misleading, out-of-context statistics to portray Scott as a savior of Florida public education. First, Scott inconsiderately cut education spending by $1.3 billion. Then, the governor had a miraculous epiphany and realized he had to invest in education. And now, Florida’s education budget is at its highest point ever! Scott is a genius! Celebrate!
It would be much more understandable if money was the only issue in the education system under Scott. Money is an issue for all of us, really. But there is more. Scott’s recent approval of the Student Success Act, a law that pays teachers based on performance, is a dangerous piece of legislation that targets the very core of our education system — our teachers.
This law introduces annual teaching contracts into the very fragile environment that is a school. I encourage Gators to think critically and gather all the facts before they head to the polls on Election Day. Oh! And when you get into the ballot box, please bubble in completely, so Johnny won’t have to.
Christopher Wilde is a UF biochemistry freshman.
