Issues and Solutions
Education
Fortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis eliminated Common Core standards which dictated Florida’s school curriculum from the federal government. Additionally, Governor DeSantis has banned Critical Race Theory and signed into law The Parental Rights Act, which among other things, bans school instruction in matters of gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Florida also has a new civics curriculum. I strongly agree with these policies. Parents have the right to raise their children. Not the state. The taxpayers pay for schools to teach math, English, writing, science and other core academic subjects. With respect to civics instruction, students need to understand how our government works and its history to appreciate what an amazing democracy we have in America. They should be proud of our country.
I have twin sons, who have disabilities. They were educated in the Miami Dade County public education system and graduated from Alonzo Tracy Mourning High School in North Miami in 2020. I tutored my sons every day after school since kindergarten and am intimately familiar with the curriculum and the quality of the teachers. Teachers should receive salary increases and/or bonuses based on merit and student achievement. I also firmly believe that Florida should raise teacher salaries across the board, provided that they are meeting accountability standards. We don’t pay taxes to take directives from teachers’ unions. We pay taxes for our children to receive a quality education.
The curriculum should also be reviewed for each grade. My sons’ required reading was frequently dime store novels in the English classes. I would advocate for more emphasis on classical literature that is enveloped with world history and geography. Reading and analyzing classic literature provides amazing tools for critical thinking and analytical writing.
Students must be taught basic financial transactions. Graduating students have to have an understanding of stocks, bonds, the financial markets, banking, mortgages, interest rates and home purchasing among other things. It is a road map to becoming a successful adult, invested in the American economic system and the American dream.
I also advocate for vocational and technical computer training in our high schools. Not all children want to go to college nor is it the most advantageous route for all. These programs should be linked with local companies and business as partners in developing the skills these future employers are looking for and as paths to employment with internships, etc.
We also need more magnet programs and charter schools to provide options for our families. These programs allow students in low-income, nonperforming schools to have more and better opportunities. Democrats want all children to be forced into public schools with no options because Democrats don’t put children first. They care more about the teachers’ unions support.
Furthermore, Florida should offer more college scholarship opportunities for high performing, low-income students. Education levels the playing field and allows anyone in the U.S. to be successful.
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