Fiscal Rangers

Florida Ranks #1 of all states in "Education Freedom" in new report by Heritage Foundation

Florida ranks #1 in a new Heritage Foundation Education Freedom Report Card report, announced at the Heritage Foundation launch event in Orlando on Sept. 9, 2022, which I attended. They announced state rankings in a new study to evaluate "Education Freedom" in all the states. It ended with a speech on Education reforms championed by FL Gov. Ron DeSantis. Florida State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz also attended and spoke. A link HERE shows the official Heritage Foundation video stream of most of the conference. See the separate Twitter link below to the ending presentation by FL Gov Ron DeSantis. Event Agenda: https://events.heritage.org/education/agenda I will also be posting my full video of the event soon to the YouTube/FiscalRangersFlorida channel as well as the Rumble.com/FiscalRangers channel, including a speech by FL Gov. Ron DeSantis. But right now, you can use the above link to see all the panels, including an overview of how rankings were calculated, and below you can use the Twitter link to see Florida Ron DeSantis's speech on his Education policies and reforms. Here is the 58 minute Twitter link to Ron DeSantis's speech at the Heritage Foundation Education event. https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1djGXlgaeLjGZ Event speaker list with bios: https://events.heritage.org/education/2415719 The state... Read more →

Chinese Government discovers even THEY have WOKE school text books!

The South China Post tells us that a controversy arose when people complained about some "inappropriate" illustrations and text in some elementary student MATH text books. "State-run People’s Education Press hit by claims of sexually and ideologically inappropriate pictures" The SCMP hid most of the article behind a paywall, but you can read enough to get the idea how WOKE culture is not being investigated by the CCCP. One accusation was that illustrations seemed to make the kids look "ugly". Vance Jochim Read more →

Homeschooling? Thinking about it for any reason?

Here is the site of the Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) which has all sorts of info, and is holding its annual conference in Orlando in May 2022. Bookmark it to send to others when they discuss this later. Lake County, FL schools are pretty well run, but you never know when an alternative is needed to government-run schools such as when you are across the border in Orlando. Vance Jochim FiscalRangers.com Read more →

Lake County, FL School Parents Alert: The School Board will review and approve several new math "instructional materials" (aka textbooks, etc.) on Feb. 28 - You need to comment

Lake County, FL School Parents Alert: The School Board will review and approve several new math "instructional materials" (aka textbooks, etc.) on Feb. 28 - You need to comment. Read more →

MASKS are Dangerous in our opinion and should not be mandated - FiscalRangers.com Factsheet

Contrary to advice of Dr. Anthony Faucie, the Biden Administration, WHO and the CDC, masks for students or adults are DANGEROUS in our opinion and we list the reasons and sources that you can use to make up your own mind. Read more →

Lake County, FL Parents rant at School Board over CRT and other issues

Yesterday, June 14, 2021, there was yelling and emotions by parents at the Lake County, FL School Board meeting about CRT (Critical Race Theory) being taught in at least one school and about retention of a teacher with a questionable background. Read more →

New Conservative Watch USA chapter launched at The Villages, FL - VIDEO

A new Sumter County, FL conservative political group, Conservative Watch USA - Villages Chapter, had a kickoff event with three great speakers. Here is the link to the full video. Event was March 24, 2021. https://youtu.be/z0zFS_NdC-Y The speakers were: Col. Douglas MacGregor - Defense & Foreign Policy Inside Story Anthony Sabatini​ - FL Legislation update Bev Kilmer​ - Education Update The meeting was led by: Suzanne Days​ Annie Marie Delgado​ Conservative Watch USA - The Villages​ ========================================================================= For other conservative issues, join us at FiscalRangers.com and our Facebook Group: FiscalRangersLakeCounty​ The video is about 2-hours long with three speakers. We had to leave the songs and music out due to YouTube policies. Vance Jochim FiscalRangers.com Read more →

Liberal Hyprocrites are facing a conundrum - should schools teach LGBTQ (which angers Muslims & others)

The UK columnist Katie Hopkins comments in this brief video on how Muslim parents are now demanding removal of class topics on LGBTQ issues. It is starting in Birmingham, UK and she suggest it will be a new Muslim demand that will spread to other UK schools. How soon before that conflict affects US schools and colleges? Read more →

Clermont, FL City Council votes to spend taxpayer funds to appeal a legal decision they lost.

The Clermont City Council lost a legal action to allow a charter school to build on a five acre lot with terrible traffic issues and neighbor complaints. Neither city staff or the Lake County School District wanted the project approved. Now the City attorney convinced the clearly vague Council to approve an expensive appeal of the legal decision. Neighbor opposition leader Dani Page made a video of that meeting which you can watch. The saga continues at taxpayer expense. Read more →

Colleges lie about job placement statistics and new Federal rule may get them sued for lying

Tavares, FL Aug. 13, 2016 For-profit "colleges" and "universities" are lying about "career placement" rates to potential students to get them to enroll. Who knew? Now the Federal government is proposing a new rule that makes it easier for students to sue the schools for not getting a "placement". It seems when they say 99% of students are successful in "career placement", they include all the students who couldn't find work and instead enrolled in more education programs. READ about it HERE on the Education Watchdog blog. I checked the long list of lying colleges and only two small tier Florida Colleges were listed as cooking their numbers. I wonder when a similar rule will be issued that a K-12 student who cannot read, write, spell and make change upon graduation can sue the School District Board? That is when Common Core will be dropped. Vance Jochim Read more →

School Alert: Satanist group launches effort to start Satanist after school clubs in nine school districts across the US.

Yup – here comes the next public relations crisis for schools. A Satanist group formed by atheists is demanding that school districts across the country allow formation of Satanist after school clubs. We tell you more here than the AP or your local paper. Read more →

ESEA Federal Bill Needs to be Defeated - Learn Why and Call your Congressman

Concerned about Obama Education inititiatives and damage caused by Common Core? More damage will occur if you don't call Congress to derail a ESEA or No Child Left Behind bill vote on Tuesday or Wednesday, Dec. 2 or 3. Here is some background why you need to act. Read more →

Lake County School Board and Superintendent Restrict District Audit Director from Auditing Certain Functions

Today the Daily Commercial published a front page article about recent actions by the Lake County School Board to restrict the ability of the District Internal Audit Director from reviewing "teaching and learning" processes. We comment on why that is a bad idea. Never forget that government is a monopoly, so extra oversight and transparency is needed to ensure operations are efficient, effective and economical. One way to do that is have an independent internal audit function with full and unfettered access to all employees, vendors, and records. Read more →

For Profit Colleges Under Investigation by Congress, and this one shouldn't receive funds

Tavares, FL Nov. 3, 2015 Billions of US taxpayer funds flow to private, for profit colleges, and many overcharge, lie to students and the students run up school debt from Federal loans and don't pay it back. How do these colleges qualify to get the Federal student loans? They are approved by private accreditation firms, and if they don't implement tight standards, the colleges get away with fraud and students, not the colleges, are on the hook for debt for poor education. Read this story and watch the video of Senator Warren grilling the head of one of the accreditors and you will get mad at the Federal government for allowing some of these accreditors and colleges to get ANY Federal tax dollars. VJ Read more →

Schools Update on APUSH (AP US History): GA State Senator files bill to change APUSH - "Leftist slant to APUSH turns America's melting pot into boiling pot"

A GA State Senator has filed a bill demanding leftist bias in the new high school AP US History course from the College Board be modified to be balanced. Other links on the liberal APUSH course and curriculum are included. Read more →

Will Lake County Schools implement the one world IB education program?

The Lake County School Board may initiate IB education programs if two School Board members have their way. There are pros and cons, and we will have more next week. Read more →

School Districts Need to Arrest Parents of Absent students like Jacksonville Just Did

Most school districts in Florida have major problems with student absenteeism and tardiness, which results in failing students and schools being ranked poorly. But Jacksonville, FL school administrators arranged warrants for parent of chronically absent and tardy students and had them arrested with a bail of $1500+. All school districts, including the Lake County FL School District, should follow Jacksonville's lead and ENFORCE truancy regulations. Read more →

FiscalRangers School Alert: Los Angeles Unified School System suspends contract for iPads due to "conflicts" and poor performance

Aug. 26, 2014 The Los Angeles Times reports questionable conflicts in iPad and Pearson publishing purchases at Los Angeles Unified School District (my mother taught there). http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-deasy-ipads-20140826-story.html "The suspension comes days after disclosures that the superintendent and his top deputy had especially close ties to executives of Apple, maker of the iPad, and Pearson, the company that is providing the curriculum on the devices. And an internal report that examined the technology effort showed major problems with the process and the implementation." "Last week, a draft report of a district technology committee, obtained by The Times, was strongly critical of the bidding process." Apparently there are questions about conflict of interest, including both Apple, and Pearson publishing, a well know monopoly provider of education products including software on the iPads. "In one email, from May 24, 2012, Aquino seems to strategize with higher-ups from Pearson on how to ensure that it got the job. "I believe we would have to make sure that your bid is the lowest one," wrote Aquino, who was an executive with a Pearson affiliate before joining L.A. Unified." (Talk about conflicts... rotating execs is a big red flag) I would hope there are no such... Read more →

Common Core Update: Missouri Teacher Tearfully Testifies Why Common Core is NO GOOD!

Tavares, FL March 28, 2014 No matter what the FL Dept of Ed says, they are still using Common Core, and the testing firm they hired, AIR, is affiliated with liberal groups who may be even worse than PARCC. Since Florida Gov. Scott continues to support Common Core (under a rebranded name which fools no one), some conservatives are abandoning support for him. This experienced Missouri teacher was bullied by administrators and some other teachers for standing up to Common Core. She has a degree in early childhood development, and tells all to a Missouri legislative Committee – 11 minutes. Watch it. http://www.bizpacreview.com/2014/03/28/watch-teachers-tearful-testimony-on-being-bullied-and-intimated-for-opposing-common-core-108962 Gee, I might as well include some bonus links on recent Common Core issues: Here is political consultant Dick Morris on how Common Core Curriculum is Destroying local control of schools (hey, States rights are being killed too) http://www.dickmorris.com/common-core-curriculum-is-destroying-local-control-of-schools-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/?utm_source=dmreports&utm_medium=dmreports&utm_campaign=dmreports Here is a link to a 27,000 member Facebook page “Parents & Educators Against Common Core Standards”. It says 332,000 people are “talking” about this. https://www.facebook.com/ParentsAndEducatorsAgainstCCSS This is the most active FL group against Common Core: http://www.flstopcccoalition.org/about-us/ They just held a great one day conference opposing Common Core in Orlando attended by over 300 people. I was there.... Read more →

Florida Common Core Update: Florida Republican County leaders send detailed letter to others objecting to Common Core

Tavares, FL - Monday, Sept. 2 See update in red below - 37 people have now signed the letter. vj Florida & Lake County Common Core Update: 12 Florida GOP Committee men & women and County Republican party Chairs sent a letter to other Florida "Republican Leaders" objecting to Common Core. Signers include Mike Levine, Lake County Republican Executive Committee Chair, and Patricia Sullivan, Florida State Committeewoman for Lake County. What is interesting is that the Lake County REC never discussed issuing a resolution so Levine & Sullivan are speaking as individuals without any vote of the REC. I know, because I am chair of the Public Policy committee who was going to bring a resolution against Common Core before the REC at the end of Sept. We were going to do it last month, but the August meeting was dedicated to Lake County Transportation Funding issues. But, reasons for prompt action do exist: the recent 3 day Tampa "Education Summit" was held by Gov. Scott which was not announced until 2 business days before the meeting with already selected panel members using the “Delphi” technique and with mostly Common Core supporters on the panels. The Delphi technique is used... Read more →

Videos of June 27th Common Core Forum in Tavares, FL Hosted by Lake County Republican Party

Tavares, FL - June 29th, 2013 Two videos of the June 27th, 2013 Common Core Forum in Lake County, FL are embedded below or linked HERE (Part 1) & (Part 2) . Hosted by the Lake County, FL Republican Party. Names of panelists are in attached page below or in text on YouTube pages. Two panelists were for Common Core and two were against it. Note: The panelists assumed attendees knew the history of Common Core, so it was not clearly presented. To get better background on Common Core, look at our Factsheet at www.tinyurl.com/HaltCommonCoreNow . Download Common Core Forum Panelists Info Download 2013-06-27 CC REC Forum Download Top 10 Objections to Common Core Education Standards - Handout Summary of Event: Both sides made relevant points. However, most audience sentiment was against Common Core, so a planned straw vote was not taken. Video - Part one - Two hours Video Part two - about 30 min Read more →

Meeting Notice: Lake County June 27th Common Core Forum on Pros & Cons in Tavares, FL

Tavares, FL - June 22, 2013 Download 2013-06-27 CC REC Forum <<<< This is the flyer in Word format. Please send to your friends in Lake County. Updated 6/27/13 to add Dr. Karen Efrem as a panelist and to add biographical information on each panelist. (Vance Jochim will not be on the panel, since we were able to get Dr. Efrem. Meeting Notice for Thursday, June 27th, at 7pm in Tavares, FL June 27th Lake County, FL FREE Public Forum on Understanding Pros and Cons of Florida’s Common Core Education Standards for Public Schools (K-12) Who should attend: Parents, Grandparents, policy makers and anyone from any political viewpoint concerned with Florida K-12 Education quality or costs. Hosted by: Public Policy Committee of the Lake County Republican Party (Republican Executive Committee) Date: Thursday, June 27 Time: 7 pm - we suggest you arrive early and bring a chair in case there are not enough Location: Tavares Community Center, 100 E. Caroline St., Tavares, FL Note: Another forum will be scheduled later in July for the Clermont, FL area. Contact for info: Vance Jochim, VJtraveler@comcast.net; 352-638-3578. Updates on the meeting and pros (section F) and cons (section C) of Common Core will... Read more →

Lake County School Board Votes to TABLE discussion on allowing Gay Clubs at Middle Schools

Tavares, FL - Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013 by Vance Jochim - FiscalRangers.com - UPDATES will be added to this document as received. The Lake County Board meeting this past Monday, April 22nd, included an agenda item for the second and final vote to approve extra-curricular clubs at Lake County middle schools, which would include a proposed Gay Straight Alliance club (GSA) at Carver Middle School which many people objected to because they believed 6th & 7th graders should not be confronted with groups focuses on sexual lifestyles. The only other alternative allowed by the Federal “Equal Access” law was to prohibit all extra-curricular clubs, including those focused on community service, Christian groups, etc. but it would also exclude the GSA club. Note: This blog writer was against formation of Gay Clubs at Middle Schools (see why in attachment below). This picture taken from the right side of the room, which had about 1/3 of the audience in the "Communist Red" shirts, indicating support of the liberal coordinated GSA club. The other 2/3 on the far side of the room were LOCALS who were against it. Plus there were many sitting outside this filled room watching on monitors. Normally, Lake County... Read more →

Rick Riker Guest Editorial on Common Core Teaching Standards - Are they Marxist Standards?

Tavares, FL - Wed., March 26, 2013 Guest Editorial on Common Core Teaching Standards Being Implemented by Lake County, Florida and 40+ other States by Rick Riker Rick is an active member of the North Lake Tea Party and the Lake County Republican Executive Committee On October 16th, 2012 the Lake County School Board rolled out an introduction to Common Core Standards at Leesberg High School. The moderately well attended presentation included remarks by the school board superintendent on how wonderful the program was and how excited she was that Lake schools would be participating in it, a motivational speaker spoke for a half hour also praising Common Core , and finally a choir of elementary school students sang a song praising Common Core. The presentation was meant to be uplifting, instilling a sense of optimism in those attending, with hopes they would spread the word that Common Core Standards were here, thank goodness. However, I’m sure there were those such a my wife and myself, who left the presentation wondering what Common Core was all about , why no specifics were presented, why a motivational speaker was need , and in fact why this was turned into an “event”.... Read more →