Indiana’s outgoing education chief popular for similar post in Florida

The deadline for applying to be Florida’s next education commissioner is Friday. So far, the most-talked-about-possible applicant remains Tony Bennett, Indiana’s on-his-way-out education chief.

Bennett, whois not yet in the official applicant pool, has championed whatmany call Jeb Bush-like education reforms in Indiana, wherehe is the state superintendent. Bennett, in fact, is scheduled to speak this week at the national education summit that one of Bush’s foundations is hosting in Washington, D.C.

He lost his re-election bid in Indiana earlier this month, prompting speculation that he might look toward the Sunshine State for his next gig. Some on the State Board of Education, which hires the commissioner, would be happy to have him.