Essay, Research Paper: One Florida Education

Governor Jeb Bush’s One Florida Initiative has come into action and there have been many opposing opinions towards this plan since The Board of Regents approved it. Some might say the plan has split Florida in two. Many Florida citizens who support One Florida argue towards opposing positions to give the plan a chance. These supporters believe this state needs a change because of the numerous problems within our school system. Opposing sides argue that they might consider part of, which is the plan that grants schools money towards scholarships and mentoring but their position is that affirmative action is not a problem. Supporter of One Florida Initiative believe that the plan could not have come about any later than it did because we needed some action done fast. While opposers believe that this plan was voted on too fast and the governor didn’t give citizens enough information or time to do anything about it.
The initiative to help diversity among college admissions was a well thought out plan supporters argue. They believe One Florida will work if we give it some time. Once we get used to the plan we will see how well it is working we while will learn more about. Supporters are sure that this plan will improve the way Florida works and that we will influence other states to do the same. “Bush’s plan would replace the state’s affirmative-action policies, which have been used with mixed success, in university admissions”(Porter 1). Opposers of One Florida ask what is he replacing it with? He is not replacing it, he has just eliminated it and this is a form of equivocation.
Citizens who oppose the governor’s plan argue that “Affirmative action has only been around for 30 years. It’s too soon to get rid of it”(Kennedy A1+). Affirmative action was a plan that opposing sides did not want to do away with, and they believe that this plan is not as beneficial as affirmative action. Affirmative action grants equal rights to minorities and women in both education and labor, so it is not surprising that 47% of women support it while 41% oppose it. A telephone poll was taken by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. on March 7th and 8th, and it asked 621 registered voters in the state of Florida if they approved Governor Jeb Bush’s performance. The statewide poll concluded that 54% support One Florida, 37% oppose it, and 9% are undecided (GriffinA1+).
I believe that those who oppose the plan should continue to fight for what they believe in, but if they are not heard then Florida citizens are forced to wait until there is some sort of conclusion towards whether the plan works or not. The question is are Florida citizens willing to wait around to see what is going to happen with minorities and women in Florida. Some say that if they do wait they might be too late to do something about it later. For those who are for the initiative, I hope it does work or they are going to have a big problem on their hands.


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