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Legislative Update  #  18

April  30, 2007

TO:   All Interested Persons

FR:    Jack Bovee, Legislative Chair, FCSS

RE:    Legislative Update

We're in need on one last effort to score a touchdown this legislative session.   All civic and historically minded persons are asked to contact the following four key Senators IMMEDIATELY. 

Senate President Ken Pruitt,  (lists Civil War History as a favorite recreation on his Senator's homepage)    Ph. (850) 487-5088    Email:   pruitt.ken.web@ flsenate.gov

Senator Don Gaetz, Chair, Pre K-12 Education Council

             (lists American History as a 'favorite recreation on his homepage)

             Ph.  (850) 487-5009    Email:  gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov  

Senator Lisa Carlton, President Pro Tempore

             Ph.  (850) 487-5081    Email:  carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Wise, Chair Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations Council

             Ph.  (850) 487-5027    Email:  wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

A sample letter is included below which you may modify by adding references to any number of additional points - the "Enlisting A New Generation of Florida Citizens" reports, our former copies of editorial board support, the Stetson University Elementary Education teacher survey, etc.   

     We need to mention that the House passed on MONDAY  h7151 which will now be sent to the Senate and that it is imperative that the social studies and civic education language contained in h7151 "pass" the Senate as well.   Phone calls and emails to the four persons above are vital to our success this session and to finally cap our work for the last 25 years!

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The Honorable Ken Pruitt

Florida Senate President

Dear Senator Pruitt:

The Florida House on Monday approved h7151 which will now be sent to the Florida Senate for consideration.   As you know, h7151 contains important language reasserting the civic mission of Florida's schools by adding social studies to the FCAT assessment program.   It is imperative that the Senate pass language either identical to or similar to that contained in h7151.   For over 25 years Florida's social studies teachers have asked that the state seek ways to determine the extent to which our public schools have prepared our students for the only job they will have upon graduation -- that of citizen.  This year former Governor Bob Graham and former Congressman Lou Frey have lent their considerable weight to such a call.   Their voices have been joined by that of Florida Chief Justice Lewis, the Florida Bar Association, numerous editorial boards, and many other groups.   It is evident from numerous reports and surveys that our state, indeed our entire nation, is in the midst of a severe civic education crisis.    As a person who is fond of this nation's history and one who lists the Civil War as a favorite avocation, I am writing to urge that you take the necessary steps this year to finally provide equity on the state's FCAT to the civic mission of our schools.

Thank you for your support for this vital mission.

Sincerely,

Jack Bovee

Legislative Chair, Florida Council for the Social Studies

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Again, thanks to all those persons who join in this important work.