(Guest Post by Matthew Ladner)
The Florida legislature strikes first in 2016- expanding their special needs ESA program and renamed them the Gardiner Scholarship program after the Florida legislature’s tireless champion for special needs children. RedefinED reported on the floor debate in the Florida Senate:
“This is a bill that people come up to us with tears in their eyes and talk about how it’s changed their life,” Gardiner said, calling attention to a girl with special needs who was seated in the back of the chamber.
“She said, ‘I just want to go to college,’” Gardiner said. “Your bill will provide that path, from cradle to career.”
Senate President Gardiner, the original sponsor of the Florida ESA law, follows in the footsteps of former of another special needs father and former Senate President John McKay in crafting an innovative program to serve the needs of Florida’s special needs students. Senator Gardiner is deeply deserving of the honor that the Florida legislature has bestowed upon him, just as Senator McKay was before him.
Greg btw is one signature away from 1 down, 6 to go in piling up yet another victory over Jay Mathews.
Jay P. Greene's Blog 
If that girl really did say “from cradle to career” I’ll eat my phone. I do wish they’d refrain from doing that sort of thing. This work is so important and so impressive on its own; why gild the lily?
When will any state mount a special effort to help serious students who like school and like to read, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, etc.? Sandra
I don’t think he was quoting the girl in that sentence, but rather addressing the legislature.