Chicago kids are more likely to be shot than educated

News

By Caitlin Doornbos

May 26, 2023 | 16:08

WASHINGTON – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lashed out at liberal-controlled cities and public education Friday, saying at one point that children in Chicago were “more likely to get shot” than get a good education.

The newly named 2024 Republican presidential candidate made the comment at a homeschooling convention in Orlando, in his first speech since announcing his run for the White House on Wednesday night.

“Nobody wants to admit that they wanted to keep kids out of school for a year and a half because they’ve seen the results,” DeSantis said, speaking about the impact of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From 2020 to 2022, people just completely disappeared from some of these urban school districts across the country.”

“Chicago, 25,000 fewer students than in 2020; Los Angeles, 43,000 fewer students than in 2020; New York, 50,000 fewer students than in 2020. In Florida, our school enrollment has increased,” the governor continued.

“When you think about a place like Chicago, these kids, you’re more likely to get shot than get a world-class education in some of these places.”

DeSantis first rose to national prominence by insisting that schools and businesses reopen during the outbreak, resisting criticism from Democrats, the media and even then-President Donald Trump.

“We have to be honest about the destruction we have seen across our country over the last three years, particularly in these urban areas that turn their backs on our schoolchildren and put the interests of school unions before the interests of parents and students. the governor said Friday.

DeSantis also pointed to the Biden administration’s liberal influences on education as a driving force behind what he called “the decline and corruption of education across our country” since the Democrat took office, calling it “a deadly threat to the viability of a free. society.”

The governor praised his efforts in education in the Sunshine State, listing among his accomplishments a “Florida Parental Bill of Rights” he signed last year that banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity since kindergarten to 3.^rd qualification.

The legislation drew harsh criticism from the left, which at the time dubbed it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

“You have the right to know what is taught in your children’s school. And if there are materials that are inappropriate due to age or violate Florida standards, you have the right to report that no,” she said.

“We have empowered parents to do that.”

The presidential hopeful also claimed to have rid Florida schools of “toxic ideologies” such as Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, which DeSantis said divides society rather than unites it.

“We understand that our school system should focus on educating children, not indoctrinating them. We are doing our part to ensure that freedom survives into the future; Florida is doing well.” he said.

“Florida is tackling key issues head on [when it’s] much easier to just sit there like a potted plant and not want to get involved in these problems.”

DeSantis said he counted his efforts in Florida as successes he would take with him to the White House, if elected.

“Were [fighting back] in Tallahassee by empowering parents by providing transparency in the curriculum by fighting gender ideology and CRT,” she said.

“We are doing our part to ensure that freedom survives into the future.”