Rick Scott, Richard Corcoran do what’s best for Florida kids

House Bill 7069 — the now famous education bill recently signed into law — has been almost universally denounced. Opponents of the reform have labeled it as “controversial” and a “handout to for-profit corporations.” At the risk of angering many readers, let me state this: First, there is a staggering amount of misinformation about the bill; second, the bill does a lot of good things. In fact, many of the common-sense reforms are a perfect illustration of why Republicans keep getting elected in Florida.

To appreciate these reforms and the shrewd maneuvering by Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, you must go back to last session and a less-controversial bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Cortes. In 2016, lawmakers tightened accountability for charter schools, requiring that any charter school receiving two consecutive failing grades be automatically closed. Unlike public schools, which can fail repeatedly, charter schools cannot fail twice without consequence — thanks to Cortes’ reform. The perception that charter schools are unaccountable is not-so-ancient history. It used to be the case — until Rep. Cortes and Co. fixed it.

Having addressed an underlying concern for accountability by rightfully placing charter schools under greater scrutiny than public schools, the stage was set for additional reforms. Here are a few of the changes negotiated between Corcoran and the governor:

Streamlined Turnaround Plans: Under current law, chronically failing schools must submit “turnaround plans.” These are blueprints for how schools plan to address their failing status. Under the new law, schools must submit their plans one year earlier than prior. The total time a school can fail is decreased from 10 to seven years. In the view of the Legislature, if your daughter’s elementary school fails her, the administration should probably fix it by the time she’s old enough to start taking SATs.

Schools of Hope: The new law creates opportunity for an education alternative for persistently low-performing schools, as defined by three consecutive grades lower than C. Given the correlation between income level and educational performance, this reform will greatly benefit low-income areas. Contrary to the perception of this bill as a giveaway to for-profit corporations, a School of Hope is defined as a charter school run by a not-forprofit organization with a track record of successful charter schools. The nonprofit organizations under consideration are all out of state (no charter schools now operating in Florida qualify) and currently graduating students at a rate of 80 percent, higher than Florida’s state average.

Furthermore, funds for Schools of Hope cannot be used to purchase or build facilities and must be used for teachers, supplies and student transportation. Is it such a controversial idea that money should be spent in the classroom by people with a history of successfully educating children?

Gardiner Scholarship: Lawmakers expanded a program to help kids with disabilities pay for alternative learning solutions and to help poor children afford private school. As a parent whose child overcame reading challenges thanks to nontraditional education, I take great comfort knowing our state demonstrates the compassion necessary to help me get my child specialized help.

There are other changes made as well, including the elimination of some testing and pushing back the testing schedule, which should warrant tremendous applause from the over-tested.

As I have read the analysis and language, it is hard to find a provision someone interested in educating kids and helping the disenfranchised should disagree with. If you are less interested in the palace intrigue between Speaker Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron, and more interested in shortening the cycle of school failure from 10 down to seven years, this bill is for you. But if you do not think that a nonprofit group with a track record of success should be given the opportunity to give kids a once-in-a-decade chance to learn how to read well, then support the status quo.

Thank you, Gov. Scott and Speaker Corcoran, for setting aside your differences, doing what is best for the kids and taking the heat for it.

The commonsense reforms illustrate why Republicans keep getting elected in Florida.