Gov. Rick Scott pushed for $1 billion to be added back to the budget for education in the past legislative session.

On Wednesday, as he continued his weeklong “education listening tour” across the Sunshine State, he hinted that schools may have to do a better job prioritizing how money is use to help teachers.

“One of the things we talked about with the teachers yesterday, what came up, was how much teachers are having to spend out of their own pocket for supplies,” Scott said during an appearance with Drew Steele’s “Daybreak” on 92.5 FM Fox News in Fort Myers.

Scott said he is also getting input on his drive to alter how to grade teachers and students.

While he didn’t elaborate upon the comments he has heard, he said there needs to be “a measurement” for preparing students for college and/or careers.

Scott has criticized the FCATs, saying that any annual testing of students should have a “purpose.”

After visiting Southwest Miami High School on Tuesday, Scott released a similar comment: “The teachers I met with also discussed the need for a consistent measurement system so we can fairly hold all students and teachers accountable."

Scott has visited schools in Jacksonville, Boca Raton and Miami, meeting privately with teachers, administrators and parents.

The tour continues Wednesday with visits to Lexington Middle School in Fort Myers and Madeira Beach Fundamental School in Madeira Beach.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.