These guides are not endorsements, but lay out and rate the Common Core, federal education, preschool and related issues records of the Republican and Democrat candidates for governor of Florida, listed as officially qualified by the Florida Department of State to be on the ballot for the 2018 election, based on reviews of the candidates' statements on their websites, in the media, at debates, polling data, endorsements, and voting records where available. PDF versions of these tables are available for the Democrats and the Republicans.
Common Core & Related Education Issue Comparison - Florida Republican Gubernatorial Primary
|
Name Website FSCCC Grade |
Opposes Federal Intrusion in Education | Opposes Common Core | Opposes Expansion of Government Preschool | Pro-Common Core Endorsement or Rating | Anti-Common Core Endorsement or Rating |
|
Congressman Ron DeSantis  FSCCC Grade: A |
Yes - Voted against the Every Student Succeeds Act in Congress, which cemented CCSS in place & harms the opt-out movement |
Yes Cosponsored 2014 resolution against CCSS & has strongly opposed in speeches & interviews and via vote against ESSA. He is listening to his supporters, who oppose CCSS 72%-16%. |
Yes Voted against ESSA that includes expansion of federal pre-K programs that research continues to show is ineffective and is tied to Common Core | No |
American Conservative Union Mark Levin Sean Hannity |
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam FSCCC Grade: F |
No - Voted for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in Congress requiring annual state tests & laying groundwork for Common Core |
No - Hasn't discussed during campaign but supported Common Core during parent revolt. He is ignoring his supporters who oppose CCSS 67%-17% . | No Voted for NCLB and the Head Start Act that greatly increased federal control over preschool that research continues to show is ineffective & became tied to Common Core | Florida Chamber | No |
Businessman & Activist Bob White FSCCC Grade: A- |
Yes Clearly understands the lack of constitutionality of the federal role in education & cost to states | Yes & has led many grassroots efforts against Common Core throughout the state and at the legislature | Not discussed | No | Former Congressman Ron Paul |
The remaining qualified Republican candidates Don Baldauf, Timothy DeVine, Bob Langford, John Mercadante, and Bruce Nathan either do not have campaign websites, have no record, or discuss pre-K through 12 education issues minimally, if at all. These five candidates received grades of "Incomplete."
Common Core & Related Education Issue Comparison - Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
|
Name Website FSCCC Grade |
Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education | Supports Common Core (CCSS) | Opposes High Stakes Testing | Supports Expanded Pre-K |
Mayor Andrew Gillum FSCCC Grade: D |
N/A |
Not mentioned - His supporters oppose CCSS 40%-27% |
Yes | Yes Wants expansion of pre-K despite overall research of ineffectiveness & harm |
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham FSCCC Grade: F |
Yes - Voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Congress |
Not mentioned, but supported continuation of CCSS by voting for ESSA. Her Supporters oppose CCSS 40%-28% |
Yes, but voted for ESSA that has greatly hurt the opt-out movement |
Not mentioned, but voted for ESSA that includes expansion of federal pre-K programs & perpetuates a "Baby Common Core." |
Businessman Jeff Greene FSCCC Grade: F |
N/A | Not mentioned, but his supporters oppose CCSS 46%-33% | Yes | Yes Wants 2 years "mandatory preschool" despite overall research of ineffectiveness & harm |
Former Mayor Phil Levine FSCCC Grade: D |
N/A |
Not mentioned No CCSS polling data available |
Yes | Yes Wants expansion of pre-K despite overall research of ineffectiveness & harm |
Alex "Lundy" Lundmark FSCCC Grade: F |
N/A | Wants government directed academic standards from Pre-K to grade 3. | No | Wants government directed pre-k through grade 3 in churches, taxing churches that refuse. |
Chris King and Jon Wetherbee had little to no information on their views and plans for these pre-K through 12 education issues and received grades of "Incomplete."
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