Jeb Bush Touts Expanding School Choice At LR Rally

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) threw support to an Arkansas legislator’s bill and urged state leaders to take bolder steps in education reform.

Bush was in town for a rally and conference held by A+ Arkansas, an advocacy organization promoting more charter schools, school choice, and greater competition in public schools.

John Lyon with our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reports:

At a rally at the state Capitol, Bush called access to a quality education the civil rights issue of our time. He invoked the specter of the 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School, in which President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division into Little Rock to escort nine black students into the city’s flagship all-white high school.

“Fifty-six years after the Little Rock Nine, our most disadvantaged kids are the ones least likely to receive a quality education. But they’re the ones who need it the most,” Bush said.

He championed charter schools in speaking for more education options for parents and more competition in schools.

“Our children can’t wait for plodding, incremental change,” he said. “We need disruptive change. We need to invest in new ideas, new approaches in education.”

Bush endorsed HB 1040 by Rep. Mark Biviano (R-Searcy). The bill shifts control of charter schools from the state Board of Education and creates an independent commission that includes appointments from the Governor and legislators.

You can read more at this link.