Tampabay.com
AUGUST 28, 2008

Democratic divide?

Booker
If these strong words at the Democratic National Convention are any sign, the cracks in the Democratic Party over things like vouchers and merit pay are widening.

A gaggle of renegade Democrats – including NYC Chancellor Joel Klein and the mayors of Denver, Newark and D.C. – staged a three-hour forum in Denver Sunday that included a fair amount of anti-teachers-union rhetoric.

"As Democrats, we have been wrong on education," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker (shown above). "It's time to get right."

Florida Democrats haven't been as split, unless you consider the growing rift over vouchers or put stock in Jeb's report card (how did 9 Democrats get A's?!).

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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