One of the largest anti-Common Core groups in the state is throwing its weight behind Gov. Rick Scott as the governor makes his final push for a second term in office.
Florida Parents Against Common Core sent out a mass email to 22,000 Anti-Common Core parent members on Monday, urging parents not to sit out this election, but carefully weigh the ramifications of their votes.
The issue of exactly which way Common Core opponents would throw their votes has been the subject of a lot of talk in the months leading up to the election — some groups said they would be voting for Libertarian Adrian Wyllie, while others said they were just going to sit this election out.
And while things aren’t exactly the way Common Core opponents want them to be right now (Florida’s still mostly involved with Common Core despite a rebranding effort by the Florida Department of Education) it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re giving up their fight.
Part of their continued fight against the national standards is making sure the effort they’ve already expended isn’t wasted — and with a Charlie Crist win, the groups may be forced to start back at the bottom and deal with an administration that might not be too receptive toward their requests.
“With a win in November, it will be a no holds barred move to complete the implementation of Common Core and advance his progressive ‘Cred’ with the left,” the FPACC letter says.
Crist won’t just stop at the governor’s mansion, FPACC says — he’ll have his sights set on higher political positions if he walks away with a win on Nov. 4, and that could put Florida’s students in a precarious position down the road.
“Charlie’s past is clear – he will chase whatever opportunity he sees to be a hero to those that will advance his career,” the letter says. “He is not a man of conviction and will sell our children to the highest bidder to achieve his own personal goals.”
The organization contends it has a leg up with Scott, who is already familiar with their positions on education issues and who has already spoken fervently against federal intrusion on Florida’s children.
The boost could prove helpful for Scott, who is already neck and neck with Crist in virtually every poll.
Laura Zorc, co-founder of FPACC, told Sunshine State News the email could be helpful in shedding light on Crist’s policies and his intention to remain onboard with the standards.
“I really think that [the email] has opened the eyes to make people focus on Charlie Crist when he was governor and his support of Common Core now,” she said.
Ultimately, Zorc and FPACC say they have to think about the future of Common Core in Florida, and the future of their children.
“With [Crist] you don’t have anything,” she said. “With [Scott] at least your foot’s still in the door.”
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen via email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
