Jeb Bush's education misinformation tour continues

From Scathing Purple Musings

by Bob Sykes

The 2012 Jeb Bush U.S. Education Reform Tour continues. Today he meets with Virginia governor Bob McDonnell. Last week it was New Jersey.

HANOVER TWP. – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush came to the Whippany Marriott Hotel Thursday, Feb. 2, to tell the Morris County Chamber of Commerce the country needs education reform that would improve technology programs, have children start school earlier, give parents a choice where to send their children to school and give school boards the power to fire bad teachers.

The hotel’s Grand Ballroom was filled with more than 600 people that included state politicians and corporate officers for the chamber’s 91st Annual Meeting.

Bush, who is chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, was the keynote speaker.

He noted that employers are the direct or eventual recipients of high school graduates of which two thirds leave school unprepared for college or a career,

“We accept this,” he said. “If we were honest with ourselves we would say that is horrible, that is shameful.”

He pointed to his own record in Florida where a school choice program and grading schools based on performance helped improve students’ performance

So if Bush is pointing out that remediation rates are “horrible” and “shameful,” why did he not tell New Jersey voters that 55 percent of Florida’s freshmen needed remediation last year?

Answer: He knows he can get way with it. Bush’ test-dominated model is financed by corporations whom benefit from his efforts. The former Florida governor won’t let facts affect his narrative.

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