Gov. Scott Signs Sweeping Education Reform Bill

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education reform Thursday that dramatically changes how teachers are hired, fired, paid and evaluated, the Miami Herald reported Friday.

He joins a cadre of Republican governors across the country, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who are pushing conservative education reform and dramatically altering the power of teachers unions.

The Florida law is one of the most far-reaching of its kind across the country, and one of the biggest changes in the history of the state’s public school system. It eliminates teacher tenure, and ties their pay to how students perform on test.

“I am proud that the first bill I sign is this important legislation that will give Florida the best-educated work force to compete in the 21st-century economy,’’ Scott said. “We must recruit and retain the best people to make sure every classroom in Florida has a highly effective teacher"

Republican lawmakers who fought Democrats and teachers unions to get the law passed echoed the governor’s sentiments.

“Excellent teachers are the driving force behind student success,” said state Rep. Erik Fresen, a Miami Republican.