Florida's Hidden Charter Takeover

The State of Florida is currently in the process of closing public schools and opening charters. They are doing this by a lesser known section of SB7069.

At the end of the 2017 Florida Legislative session SB 7069 was passed. It includes a multitude of education policies. Some of the policies are acceptable; but, the overwhelming majority are unacceptable. The bill is so bad that bipartisan school districts are banding together to sue the State of Florida. The latest district to discuss joining the fight is Orange County.

There is a part of SB 7069 that allows for schools that are failing (D and F schools) for three years consecutively to be closed and/or taken over by a charter. (Who knew that one little test would mean so much?) In other words, all of the schools that serve low income and people of color will be closed in the next three years. I have yet to see a middle class white school fail for three consecutive years.

I would say this is not just action to close a school for children. The data shows that there is a significant education achievement gap amongst income groups and racial groups. The more money a family has the more likely you are to score well on the test. The "more white" you are the better you will do on the test. We must ask some serious questions of the test makers and policy makers. Are the end of year standardized tests elitist or racist? But it is significantly easier to ignore those issues. Obviously.

What does this say about us as a society?
What does this say about us as Christians?
Where is the justice for ALL people in America?
How will this help our low income and people of color citizens?
Will this help everyone in America live a fulfilling life?
Who is to blame here, the teacher or the politician?

But hey, kudos to the Florida Senate for getting this through