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Report Card Is A Valuable Guide

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By PATRICIA LEVESQUE

Special to the Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

Regarding "Jeb Bush's Legislative Report Card Doesn't Make the Grade" (Our Opinion, Sept. 19):

The Tampa Tribune's recent editorial on the Foundation for Florida's Future's inaugural legislative report card misses the mark on why it is important to inform voters about the records of their state representatives - especially when it comes to the critical issue of education.

The Foundation for Florida's Future is dedicated to keeping the promise of quality education for all Florida students. Our not-for-profit public policy organization works with parents, business leaders, teachers and policymakers to advocate for reforms that raise academic standards, increase accountability, reward success and offer choices - key factors for improving quality in any system, including public schools.

Thanks to the leadership and vision of the Legislature during much of the last decade, Florida is successfully transforming the quality of education in public schools. However, our work is far from finished. Advancing the next generation of reforms is the key to increasing and expanding student achievement.

To measure how well our state legislators are keeping the promise of a quality education, the Foundation for Florida's Future recently launched Florida's Education Report Card. This year, Florida's senators and representatives earned grades based on their votes and advocacy on legislation aligned with six important policy areas. Exemplary policymakers who champion reforms advocated by the Foundation are also recognized as members of this year's Honor Roll.

Using a simple, fair and transparent grading formula, Florida's Education Report Card graded Sunshine State legislators on their support or opposition in key policy areas, including high standards, measurement, data-driven accountability, school choice, quality teaching, and funding and governance.

In advance of and throughout this spring's Legislative session, the Foundation advocated for reforms to raise student achievement and produce measurable results in our schools. It is encouraging that an overwhelming number of legislators - from both sides of the political aisle - are committed to improving the quality of education for students from every background, from pre-K through high school.

Florida is transforming our public schools into world-class learning institutions. But to ensure every Florida student is prepared to succeed in the increasingly competitive global economy, Florida must constantly challenge the status quo.

To help Florida voters make the right decision at the ballot box in November, Florida's Education Report Card presents a clear and comprehensive assessment of who is making the grade in education reform.

Visit www.afloridapromise.org today to see if your state representative and senator are working to improve the quality of education in the Sunshine State.

The writer is executive director of the Foundation for Florida's Future.

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