At education summit, Jeb Bush never says 'Common Core'; Some schools 'just go nuts' with testing

Brett T. | 5:35 PM on February 10, 2015

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush gave his first speech as a 2016 presidential hopeful in the state today, at an event called “Keeping the Promise” hosted by the educational policy group Foundation for Florida’s Future. Many conservatives are wary of Bush’s enthusiastic support for Common Core State Standards, and reporters noted that Bush made it through his address without mentioning Common Core.

Jeb Bush's union-bashing comments are well-worn, nothing new here. What's new: No mention of the 'C' word: Common Core (so far)

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) February 10, 2015

Not uttered by Jeb at this education summit: "Common Core"

— Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) February 10, 2015

Jeb Bush, during an education summit in Florida, manages to speak for 35 minutes and not mention two words: Common Core.

— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 10, 2015

According to Education Week’s Andrew Ujifusa, Bush did defend his policy of holding back illiterate third graders:

He staunchly defended a policy that he and his education foundations have strongly lobbied for in Florida and elsewhere: holding back 3rd graders who can’t demonstrate literacy. Sarcastically dismissing those who say that such students may struggle emotionally to deal with being held back, Bush told his Tallahassee audience, “God forbid if little Johnny is stressed out. How horrible it is for their self esteem if they’re held back.”

Of his mom Barbara Bush & her stats on adult literacy, Jeb: "You can PolitiFact her. I'd like to see how that works out for you"

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) February 10, 2015