Today, the Florida State Board of Education selected former Indiana schools chief Tony Bennett as the state's new education commissioner. Bennett replaces Gerald Robinson, who stepped down in July. He became available for the job after voters in Indiana rejected his bid for re-election last month.
Yes, Indiana voters get the franchise to determine their education commissioner. Thirteen other states do as well.
Bennett comes from the conservative teach to the test philosophy that has nationally become ascendant over the past decade, but still faces strong resistance. But Florida Republicans are no doubt excited he was available. As the Tampa Bay Times Jeffrey S. Solochek reported:
Bennett's name emerged as a possibility the same November day he lost his reelection bid in Indiana. He's considered a "rock star" in education reform circles, an ally of former Florida governor Jeb Bush and the outcomes-based accountability measures that Bush promotes such as school grading and third-grade retention.
If you think that doesn't sound like the resume that the Florida Education Association — Florida's biggest teacher's union — would endorse, you'd be correct.
