Charlie Crist on Education

Republican

As Commissioner of Educ., implemented school accountability

Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Charlie as Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In 2000, he won a special election and became Florida's last elected Commissioner of Education, where he worked to implement reforms in school accountability and direct more resources into Florida classrooms. Source: Campaign website, www.charliecrist.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Father served on the Pinellas County School Board

Charlie Crist was born in 1956 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, but the family soon settled in St. Petersburg, where his father is a respected family physician. Charlie learned the importance of public service from an early age, beginning with his father's tenure on the Pinellas County School Board. As a public school student Charlie quickly learned the value of participation, leading him to serve as class president at St. Petersburg High School and, later, as student body vice president at Florida State University.

His leadership qualities carried into other pursuits. He was the starting quarterback in high school and played at Wake Forest University before transferring and receiving his undergraduate degree from Florida State in 1978. Charlie then earned his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama.

Source: Campaign website, www.charliecrist.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Propose $3.8 billion to reduce class size

I have proposed in my budget 3.8 billion dollars to meet the constitutional mandate of the class size amendment. This is a 19% increase over the current budget level and would bring state funding for the last five years to 10.7 billion dollars. Smaller classes provide a better environment for learning and we must fulfill our obligation to provide that funding to reduce class sizes. Source: 2007 State of the State Address Mar 6, 2007

Early advocate for parental choice in education

As a State Senator, Charlie was an early advocate for parental choice in education by co-sponsoring legislation to implement the charter schools bill. He believes that parents know best what their children need, and should have the freedom to pick the best schools for their kids. Source: Campaign website, www.charliecrist.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Allow vouchers for any public, private or religious school

Support national standards and testing in reading and math.
Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public, private or religious school.
Allow parents to use tax-free savings accounts to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious.
Support creation of more charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.

Source: Congressional 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Constitutional amendment for school prayer

Q: Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to guarantee the right to religious expression and voluntary prayer in public places, including schools?

A: Yes.

Source: Congressional 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

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Page last updated: Nov 26, 2010