The puppet masters won't talk about it.

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Duncan silent on Florida’s education mess

It’s no wonder that many teachers, students and parents feel that public education is under assault in Florida.

Despite a growing chorus of opposition from teachers, students and even school superintendents, the Republican-dominated state Legislature is intent on passing a bill that would make eliminate teacher tenure, link teacher pay to student standardized test scores, and add a heap more tests on already test-plagued students.

Each one of those items will negatively impact every student in a Florida public school. But that’s not all.

Citing terrible budget constraints, legislators are trying to pull back on a decision voters made in a state referendum in 2002 that limited class size. Voters approved a plan for gradual reductions in class size until they reach no more than 18 for grades pre-K-3, 22 for grades 4-8, and 25 in high school.

But that’s not all.

Even though money is so tight, the Republican legislators somehow found money for private schools through tax-credit scholarships, and that bill is moving swiftly too.

With all this work to do, you might think the Florida legislators don’t have any more time to deal with lesser education issues. But you’d be wrong.

There is also a bill being considered that would prohibit “district school boards, administrative personnel, and instructional personnel from discouraging or inhibiting student delivery of inspirational message at noncompulsory high school activity.” This is apparently an issue worthy of legislative time in the Sunshine State.

You also might think that the Democratic administration of President Obama would say something about all of this. But so far, there has been silence.

I asked the Education Department if Secretary Arne Duncan had taken a position on any of this, and the answer came back today. It was simple: “No.”

The most egregious of the bills was passed Wednesday by the Senate, and a companion bill was approved by a House committee Thursday.

According to the Miami Herald, sergeants-at-arms had to form a barrier when the panel ended because they were afraid of the wrath of angry educators who had come to protest. Republicans ignored amendments and cut off public testimony to force a vote on the bill.

The bill, like Senate Bill 6, requires school systems to evaluate and pay teachers primarily on the basis of student test scores, which assessment experts say is an ineffective evaluation method.

In addition, no longer could experience in the classroom, or professional credentials, or advanced degrees, have any value in a teacher’s salary. That’s a great way to tell students that education is valuable, don’t you think?

It also orders the creation of more tests for kids in subjects not already annually assessed by some standardized exam.

There is an Orwellian cast to the words of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who said that the bill “focuses on trying to help children and encouraging better teachers,” when, in fact, it will, without a doubt, do the opposite.

Any teacher could tell that to Crist, but I’m betting he doesn’t talk to any.

I wish Secretary Duncan would call up the governor and tell him that if he signs this bill, the state will have a hard time keeping and recruiting good teachers. Who would want to work there?

You can see the effect that all of this is having on teachers and parents by going to a page on Facebook called “testing is not teaching,” at http://www.facebook.com/testingisnotteaching

Here’s what one teacher wrote on the day the Senate passed its version of the bill. It’s enough to make you cry:

What a devastating day for teachers...and the teaching professionals state-wide. Not in all my 17 years as a special education teacher have I been so disheartened! I just can’t make ends meet...and it’s going to come a time, as my mom says, to "fish or cut bait". I think I’ll be leaving this profession.