political education issues in Clay County

I was hoping someone else would mention it, but since no one has yet, I will. I have just been given verbal permission to post this, so here 'tis:

The Federated Republican Women of Clay &

The Republican Men’s Club of Clay

Will host a Forum

July 24, 2008

Congratulations are well deserved to the teachers and administrators of Clay County for having no school below a “C”, special recognition is due to Doctors Inlet Elementary for over coming many obstacles to become an “A”.  But I want to point out that only 10 of our 35 schools achieved Annual Yearly Progress know in the district as AYP.  This is the measurement of learning gains year over year, and a truer picture of a schools educational effectiveness.  Additionally, our graduation rate (which is 75.3%) improved only 0.9%. Compare this to the increased graduation rates in similar sized school districts like Leon, which had a 6.3% increase, Osceola 6.1%, Manatee 5.2%, and Collier 4.6%, and we are clearly not improving our ability to engage students long enough to graduate them.  I believe we can do better then this. We must acknowledge we have problems and then roll up our sleeves and get to work solving them.  To that end, it would be an honor to have your vote and support in achieving my goal of having the best school district in Florida.

Just felt a need to inform as many as possible ithe issue regarding the "Educating Kameron" story in the Folio--much talked about throughout the North Florida area and, now, on the national front.  This is a TRUE story,very-well documented. Everything reported indeed happened, and more that was not reported due to story space and legal issues.  Kameron's mother simply was trying to ensure her son was educated just as any other child would be--in his neighborhood school. To even think that even today, in 2007, that a parent would have to FIGHT for what we all know and believe is the right thing to do is unimaginable. All of the children and parents that came to know Kameron loved and adored him--many have become very good friends of his, my child included in that number. I believe ALL administrators who handled his case should be severely reprimanded and others should lose their jobs.  When you accept a position in education, it is your duty to PROTECT the children you are responsible for, and ensure they receive all due respect and the best education you can provide for them.  The fact that such a child was so discriminated against should concern us all--these are the very children WE SHOULD ALL PROTECT because it is the right thing to do.