Transcript by Deborah Parks of Caption Colorado, LLC

Moderator Michael Putney: GOOD EVENING! WELCOME TO A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNORJEB BUSH AND BILL McBRIDE.

I'M MICHAEL PUTNEY FROM CHANNEL 10, MIAMI. GEORGE W. BUSH WAS ELECTED GOVERNOR FOUR YEARS AGO, A REPUBLICAN, RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM.

McBRIDE FROM TAMPA IS ALSO RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

THE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED WILL BE ASKED BY CITIZENS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

FLORIDA NETWORK STATIONS COLLECTED MORE THAN 100 QUESTIONS BY VOTERS AND WE SELECTED THE ONES WE THINK REFLECT THE CONCERNS OF MOST FLORIDIANS.

THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE QUESTIONS. THEY WILL BE DIRECTED TO THEM ALTERNATELY AND THEY'VE HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND OR LESS, IF THEY CHOOSE.

I CAN ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS IF I THINK THEY'RE NEEDED.

A TWO-MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT. A COIN TOSS DETERMINED THAT BILL McBRIDE WILL BEGIN.

Bill McBride: THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING! AND GOVERNOR, GOOD LUCK ON YOU!

I BELIEVE THIS ELECTION OFFERS A CLEAR CHOICE BETWEEN TWO MEN WITH DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO LEADERSHIP AND WILL LEAD FLORIDA IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

I HOPE WE GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF TOPICS. FIRST I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WHY I GOT INTO THIS CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN WITH.

LIKE MANY OF YOU, MY CHILDREN ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WHATEVER GOOD I'VE DONE IN MY LIFE, I OWE FIRST TO THE HARD WORK OF MY MOM AND DAD, BUT ALSO TO THE FLORIDA PUBLIC ZOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES.

I WANTED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AVAILABLE TO EVERY CHILD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

FOR FOUR YEARS NOW, WE'VE BEEN LOSING GROUND. OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CALLING BEHIND OTHER STATES.

WE ARE NOW 44th IN THE NATION IN CLASS SIZE. WE'RE 50th IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES. WE RATE DEAD LAST IN THE SIZE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WE'RE 47th IN THE AVERAGE S.A.T. SCORES, AND WE'RE NOW LOSING TEACHERS TO GEORGIA AND ALABAMA BECAUSE THOSE STATES VALUE AND COMPENSATE TEACHERS BETTER.

NOW, MONTHS AGO, I PUBLISHED A DETAILED EDUCATION PLAN THAT WOULD REDUCE CLASS SIZE. IT WOULD REDUCE SCHOOL SIZE, THAT ENHANCED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND WOULD PAY TEACHERS MORE COMPETITIVELY.

I SAID I WOULD PAY FOR IT WITH A 50-CENT TAX ON CIGARETTES. A WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EDUCATION. HE'S NOW CHANGED HIS MIND.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THAT WHAT I LEARNED IN THE MARINE CORPS IS THAT LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY EARLY AND ABOUT BUILDING CONSENSUS, NOT FOLLOWING IT.

IF YOU WILL ELECT ME FOR YOUR GOVERNOR, I'LL BE THAT KIND OF LEADER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Putney: GOVERNOR BUSH, TWO MINUTES.

Gov. Jeb Bush: I'D LIKE TO THANK THE FLORIDA NEWS NETWORK FOR BROADCASTING THIS STATEWIDE.

WE OUTLINED AN AGENDA FOR REFORM FOR OUR STATE.

WE SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE HIGH STANDARDS, STRONG FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY SO THAT THE CHILDREN WOULDN'T BE LEFT BEHIND.

WE SAID WE NEEDED TO GROW JOBS, AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE CUT TAXES AND IMPROVED REGULATION AND STREAMLINED OUR WORK FORCE PROGRAMS. 600,000 NEW JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. AND FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION IN JOB GROWTH.

IN 1998, OUR CRIME WAS TOO HIGH, AND SO WE SUGGESTED TOUGHER SENTENCES, LAWS LIKE 10-20 LIFE AND THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT TO ALLOW FOR THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO BE PUT AWAY FOR LONGER. AND OUR CRIME RATE IS THE LOWEST SINCE 1972.

THESE ARE THE ISSUES THE ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT AND MANY MORE, BUT ALSO ABOUT CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP.

TONIGHT, MY OPPONENT WILL MAKE BIG PROMISES. IT WILL COST A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, BUT HE WON'T TELL YOU HOW HE'S GOING TO PAY FOR THE PROMISES. IT WILL BE HIGHER TAXES FOR YOU.

THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP. REAL LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT MAKING TOUGH CHOICES AND STANDING ON RINSE PELL AND DETERMINING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE STATE AND MOVING FORWARD.

I BELIEVE I'VE BEEN THAT KIND OF LEADER. YOU ALL HAVEN'T AGREED WITH ME IN EVERYTHING I'VE DONE. BUT YOU KNOW WHERE I STAND.

WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND I BELIEVE BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE FLORIDA HAVE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL FLORIDIANS.

LET'S CHECK START TONIGHT.

Putney: NOW TO THE QUESTIONS. THE FIRST QUESTION IS FROM ROBERT MORRIS OF JACKSONVILLE.

Robert Morris: MR. McBRIDE, QUESTION WILL BE FIRST DIRECTED ON YOU, A QUESTION ABOUT EDUCATION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PLANS FOR EDUCATION IN THE YEARS TO COME AND HOW YOU PLAN TO FUND ALL THESE AMENDMENTS OR PROPOSALS THAT WE'VE HAD ABOUT IMPROVING OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ACROSS THE STATE.

McBride:THANK YOU. I HAVE PUBLISHED, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, A DETAILED EDUCATION AGENDA THAT INCLUDED REDUCTION IN CLASS SIZES AND SCHOOL SIZES, AND ENHANCING PREKINDERGARTEN AND PREEDUCATION FOR KIDS AT EARLIER AGES.

I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT MAKING SURE WE PAY OUR EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS IN ARE SCHOOLS, OUR BUS DRIVERS, OUR CROSSING GUARDS, OUR CAFETERIA WORKERS AND TEACHERS MORE COMPETITIVELY. I'VE DETAILED HOW TO PAY FOR IT AS WELL.

MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO, I PUT OUT A DETAILED AGENDA HOW TO INVEST A BILLION NEW DOLLARS IN SCHOOLS. PART FROM OUR GENERAL REVENUES, AND I PROPOSE MOVING MORE OF THE GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET OVER INTO EDUCATION. AND I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT HARD FOR 15 MONTHS.

I KNOW WHAT THE SCHOOLS NEED, I'M FAMILIAR WITH THEM.

I'M VERY PROUD THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TMPBS IN FLORIDA STAND WITH ME, AND I'M PROUD THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVER THE COURSE OF THIS CAMPAIGN TO TALK ABOUT FUNDING IN VERY SPECIFIC TERMS.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I'M PROPOSING ONE NEW TAX, A TAX OF 50 CENTS PER PACK ON CIGARETTES THAT WOULD GO TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL GO WITH ME ON THIS. BELIEVE ME, THIS IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S A CRISIS WE HAVE IN FLORIDA RIGHT NOW, AND WE NEED A GOVERNOR WHO IS GOING TO CARE ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS AS MUCH AS HE POSSIBLY CAN AND TRULY MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

IF I CAN... YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR OPENING AND JUST NOW THAT YOU WANT TO RAISE CIGARETTE TAXES BY 50 CENTS A PACK.

BUT YOU HAVE CALLED FOR A BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW SPENDING. THE CIGARETTE TAX WOULD RAISE ROUGHLY $500 MILLION, WHERE WOULD THE REST COME FROM?

$565 MILLION WAS THE ESTIMATE. THE REST WOULD COME BY MOVING MORE OF OUR GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET OVER INTO EDUCATION. 1% MOVE IN THE GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET, WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY NEEDED, MAYBE MORE, WOULD GENERATE OVER $200 MILLION. ALSO, I WOULD BE IMFLEMTING EFFICIENCIES IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

AND AS I EXPLAINED MANY TIMES, WHAT WE NEED IS A CLEAR REVIEW OF THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION, SO WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY TAXPAYER IN FLORIDA PAYS FOR THE TAXES FAIRY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

Putney: GOVERNOR BUSH, LET ME GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ANSWER. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PAY FOR EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS.

Gov. Jeb Bush: HE DIDN'T GET HIS QUESTION ANSWERED BECAUSE THE INITIATIVE COSTS WAY MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS. IT COSTS BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. AND IF YOU ADD UP THE PROMISE THAT IS MR. McBRIDE HAS MADE, HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OF TOBACCO INCREASE ISN'T GOING TO CUT IT.

MONEY FROM GENERAL REVENUE -- THIS MONEY IS ALREADY BEING SPENT, ON ELDER PROGRAMS, ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, AND SO I PROPOSE TO TAKE EXISTING REVENUES, THE COMMUNICATION TAX THAT WILL GROW OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND CONTINUE TO BUILD CLASSROOMS.

I'M FOR LOWER CLASS SIZES, BUT THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT THAN EMBRACING THE INITIATIVE THAT WOULD COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE'VE INCREASED FUNDING BY $3 BILLION. THAT'S A 27% INCREASE IN FOUR YEARS TIME. AND IF YOU ADD INFLATION AND ADD IN THE GROWTH OF THE STUDENT POPULATION, THAT'S MORE THAN MY PREDECESSOR'S FIRST TERM IN OFFICE AND SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

I DON'T REMEMBER McBRIDE OR THE CRITICS OUT THERE ACKKNOWLEDGED ABOUT LAWTON CHILES' BUDGETS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

WE NEED TO MAKE PUBLIC EDUCATION THE FIRST PRIORITY, NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF FRAIL ELDERS AND THE DEVELOPMENT ALLEY DISABLED, NOT AT THE RESPONSE OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS.

IF WE RAISE TAXES TOO HIGH, WE'LL CHOKE OFF THE ECONOMIC ECONOMY AND A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SUFFER.

Putney:WE'LL COME BACK TO EDUCATION QUESTIONS. LET'S MOVE ON TO A SECOND QUESTION. THIS IS FROM JOHN DEBREAU OF ST. PETERSBURG.

John Debreau: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO REFORM OUR CHILD CARE SYSTEM SO THE CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE AREN'T SUBJECT TO ANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS?

Putney: GOVERNOR BUSH, THIS QUESTION IS DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST.

Gov. Jeb Bush: THIS IS A TOUGH PROBLEM. WE HAVE 45,000 KIDS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE STATE. THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT. THEY'RE NOT THERE BY CIRCUMSTANCE, THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE PARENTS HAVE ABANDONED OR NEGLECTED OR ABUSED THEIR KIDS.

FOUR YEARS AGO, I OUTLINED A DETAILED PLAN THAT SAID WE NEEDED TO FUND IT MORE. AND WE'VE DOUBLED THE BUDGET FOR THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. I SUGGESTED MORE WELFARE PROGRAMS.

THE STATE WASN'T SPENDING MUCH AT ALL. AND NOW WE SPEND $22 MILLION ON HEALTHY FAMILIES, TO PREVENT ABUSE FROM THE BEGINNING. I THINK THE COMMUNITY BASE CARE MODEL SUCH AS IN HILLSBORO AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN DIFFERENT FASHIONS, IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET MORE RESOURCES INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO PROVIDE LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THAT REGARD. WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, AND IT'S OUR BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEXT YEAR IS TO INCREASE PAY FOR COUNSELORS, USE TECHNOLOGY CORRECTLY, TO GET LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MUCH MORE INVOLVED AT THE BEGINNING, SO THAT WE CAN ASSURE THAT KIDS IN OUR CARE AROUND LOST.

THIS IS A TOUGH SITUATION, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE KIDS ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE IN FOSTER CARE FOR YEARS AND REARS THAT BECOME TEENAGERS AND RUNAWAYS, IT'S A HARD JOB, BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

Putney: WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS GOVERNOR THAT GOVERNOR BUSH HAS NOT DONE?

Bill McBride: THIS IS A INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATION. FOUR YEARS AGO, GOVERNOR BUSH MADE TWO PROMISES... ONE THAT HE WOULD CLEAN UP THE MESS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND HE WAS GOING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT REMINDS ME OF A MAN I MET WHEN MY FRESHMAN QR IN COLLEGE, I WENT BACK AND GOT A JOB PICKING ORANGESES WITH A CREW FROM BAR BAY DOUGH, AND THIS ONE GUY WASN'T A GOOD WORKER. HE WOULD PUT HIS LADDER IN THE TREE AND LET A LOT OF FRUIT GO ON THE GROUND, EXCEPT WHEN THE BOSS CAME AROUND. HE WOULD JUMP DOWN AND PICK UP ALL HIS FRUIT.

I SENSE THAT WITH THESE NEW CHANGES WITH THE GOVERNOR. THE BIG BOSS IS COMING ON NOVEMBER 5th, AND NOW HE IS RAMBLING AND IS GOING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION. IT'S A TRANSFORMATION OF ENORMOUS MAGNITUDE. I WOULD PROVIDE LEADERSHIP.

FOR FOUR YEARS WE'VE LANGUISHED. AND WE'RE NOW TALKING ABOUT FIXING THINGS AGAIN.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE CASE WORK,, THE PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, HAVE THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP THEY DESERVE. BECAUSE FOR FOUR YEARS NOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN SAYING THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM WITH CASE WORKER LOAD, THEY WERE PAID OKAY.

NOW ON THE EVE OF THE ELECTION, HE ROLLS OUT A NEW PLAN. I THINK THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA WON'T BUY THIS. WE NEED A GOVERNOR WHO WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND ROLL HIS OWN SLEEVES UP AND HELP THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING GOD'S WORK.

YOU TAKE A CHILD OUT OF A FAMILY, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THEM A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE AND ENJOY A GOOD LIFE, AND THAT'S WHAT EACH PERSON DESERVES.

Putney: AND IN FAIRNESS, I THINK YOU GET 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

Gov. Jeb Bush: WE'VE INCREASED ADOPTIONS OUTS OF FOSTER CARE BY 70%. WE'VE DOUBLED THE BUDGET. THERE ARE FEWER KIDS IN FOSTER CARE NOW. THE CASELOADS ARE LOWER. WE'VE FULFILLED OUR COMMITMENT.

THIS IS A TOUGH, TOUGH JOB. THE REASON WHY YOU SAW THE BUDGET REQUEST COME, BECAUSE THAT'S CONSTITUTION ALLEY REQUIRED. IT'S REQUIRED FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR BUDGETS.

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. THAT'S NOT ANYTHING BUT COMMON SENSE ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS.

Putney:HERE IS THE THIRD QUESTION FROM A CITIZEN. HE IS TOM HOLLIN OF NAPLES, AND HE HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU. MR. McBRIDE, IT'S ON THE QUESTION OF HEALTH CARE.

Tom Hollin: MY QUESTION IS: WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL ABOUT HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY?

Bill McBride: THERE'S ALL KINDS OF ISSUES HERE. FLORIDA HAS MORE SENIOR CITIZENS AND VETERANS THAN ANY OTHER STATE. WE'VE GOT A POPULATION THAT DEMANDS AND NEEDS ATTENTION. DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, ALL OVER FLORIDA, WE'VE HAD A REDUCTION IN HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

MORE AND MORE COMPANIES ARE NOW REDUCING THE BENEFITS FOR HEALTH CARE EGIVE TO EMPLOYEES. SENIORS ARE STRESSED OUT LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

IF I WERE GOVERNOR, I WOULD HAVE MADE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS MY NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY.

WHEN SENATOR BOB GRAHAM WAS TRYING TO GET A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT THROUGH THIS LAST CONGRESS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, IF I WERE GOVERNOR, EVERY DAY, TESTIFYING AND LOBBYING AND TRYING TO MAKE IT A PART OF OUR FEDERAL MEDICARE PROGRAM.

I WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE SPOKESPERSON ON SENIOR ISSUES. THE CITIZENS DESERVE THAT.

THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT THESE THINGS, BUT I DIDN'T SEE HIM DOING. THAT WHAT WE NEED IS A GOVERNOR WHO WILL PUT THESE THINGS UP FRONT.

RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY HELP WE'RE GIVING THE SENIOR CITIZENS IN FLORIDA ARE THOSE IN VERY LOW ECONOMIC SITUATIONS, WHO DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY ALREADY. AND RIGHT NOW, WHAT HAPPENS, IS MANY SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE TO SPEND THEIR WAY DOWN TO GET TO THOSE LEVELS TO GET ANY HELP AT ALL.

THIS IS A FEDERAL SOLUTION THAT MUST BE MADE. AND I, AS GOVERNOR, WILL MAKE SURE THAT EACH OF YOU HAS MY COMMITMENT TO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THIS A FEDERAL ISSUE AND MAKE SURE WE GET IT PART OF MEDICARE.

Putney: GOVERNOR BUSH, IN FAIRNESS, YOU NEED AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.

Gov. Jeb Bush: WELL, TOM'S QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF SENIORS, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME SENIORS ACROSS THE STATE HAVING TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES BETWEEN PAYING RENT OR PAYING THESE EXTRAORDINARY HIGH COSTS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

WE ASKED FOR A -- FUNDING TO START A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM. WE EXPANDED THAT THROUGH A WAIVER PROGRAM THAT WE GOT IN RECORD TIME, TO ALLOW FOR A DRUG BENEFIT. THAT'S $160 PER MONTH, WITH A SECOND COPAY FOR LOWER INCOME SENIORS.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH WAITING FOR WASHINGTON TO ACT. WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL FINISH REACHING A CONSENSUS ON THIS.

IT'S A HIGH PRIORITY IN OUR STATE, TO PROVIDE THIS BENEFIT. AND NOW, THOUSANDS OF SENIORS ARE RECEIVING THAT BENEFIT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'VE EXPANDED NURSING HOME FUNDING BY 60%, COMMUNITY BASED CARE FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAMS BY 50%.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON SENIORS LIKE NEVER BEFORE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THESE EXPANSIONS OF THE PROGRAMS WILL BE JEOPARDIZED IF HIS CLASS-SIZE INITIATIVE WOULD OCCUR. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR TAXES RAISED AND THERE HAVE BEEN TO BE CUTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS. BETTER TO HAVE A BALANCED APPROACH.

Putney: NOW THE FOURTH QUESTION... IT IS FROM FRAN GOSSELIN, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH VOTING PROBLEMS IN FLORIDA.

Fran Gosselin: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CAN'T CLEAN UP THIS MESS ABOUT VOTING. IT'S NOT FAIR FORT PEOPLE THAT VOTE AND DON'T GET THEIR VOTES COUNTED.

Putney:GOVERNOR BUSH, THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU. MR. McBRIDE AND PARTY LEADERS HAVE SAID THE PROBLEMS WITH VOTING IN MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTY, PARTICULARLY, IN THE SEPTEMBER 10th PRIMARY, THAT YOU ARE, TO A LARGE DEGREE, ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE PROGRAMS. ARE YOU?

Gov. Jeb Bush: THANKFULLY I'M NOT. BUT IN THE CONSTITUTION, THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING ELECTIONS.

AFTER THE 2000 ELECTION, WE DID ACT. I ASKED JIM SMITH TO PUT TOGETHER A COMMISSION, WE PUT A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF PEOPLE TOGETHER AND WE MADE A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO REFORM OUR LAWS.

TODAY IN FLORIDA, THAT ARE UPDATED QUALITY FOR MACHINES. WE HAVE A SINGLE STANDARDS FOR RECOUNT, AND WE HAVE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, SO IF THERE'S ANY PROBLEMS IN THE PRECINCTS, THE POLL WORKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO USE THESE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE. WE'VE REFORMED THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, SYLVIA, WE'RE NOW SPENDING MONEY AT THE STATE LEVEL. $32 MILLION. NEVER BEFORE WAS MONEY SPENT FOR MACHINES AND FOR NEW TRAINING.

65 COUNTIES IN THIS STATE GOT IT RIGHT, UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT GOT IT RIGHT. TWO COUNTIES DIDN'T.

THEY HAVE PLEDGED TO IMPROVE THE ELECTION, WHICH IS SO SESSION FOR THE VOTERS. WE'VE OFFERED ASSISTANCE, BUT IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THE ELECTION WORK.

Putney (to McBride): ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, I HAVE HEARD YOU SAY THAT GOVERNOR BUSH SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE ARE THE FOLLOW-UPS AN IN THE SEPTEMBER 10th PRIMARY. WHY DO YOU THINK SO?

Bill McBride:HE'S THE CHIEF EXETIVE, HE SHOULD HAVE HELPED MORE THAN HE DID.

YOU CAN'T BLAME THIS ON PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TRAINING.

THESE TWO COUNTIES THAT HE SPEAKS OF WERE THE TWO INVOLVED MOST IN THE 2000 ELECTION. SO BETWEEN THAT TIME AND NOW, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE EFFORT PUT TO ASSIST THE SUPERVISORS AND THE PEOPLE, MORE TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE. WE NEED TO NOW MAKE SURE WE GET THIS RIGHT FOR NOVEMBER 5th.

WHAT I ASK THE GOVERNOR TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT HE USES THE AUSPICES OF HIS OFFICE. PEOPLE DO RESPOND. AND THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY VOTE WILL BE COUNTED. AND THERE'S ADEQUATE PROVISION AND TRAINING THAT THEY'RE DONE THAT WAY.

A LOT OF THE EFFORTS PUT ON DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T OPEN POLICIES ON TIME IN A LOT OF PLACES. WE EXTENDED, AND I CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR, AND HE DID, AND WE GOT A COUPLE EXTRA HOURS LAST TIME. BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE BETWEEN NOW AND THE ELECTION THAT EVERY PERSON IN THE STATE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CAST THEIR VOTE.

I WANT A BIG TURNOUT. I HOPE ALL OVER FLORIDA, PEOPLE PREPARE FOR IT. AND IF WE DO IT RIGHT, THEN EVERYBODY WILL IN FACT HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO DO IN A DEMOCRACY, THE AM MOST IMPORTANT THING, TO HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED.

Putney: AND QUESTION FIVE... IT'S FROM SYLVIA SCOTT FROM MIAMI.

Sylvia Scott: WHAT CAN YOU OR WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ASSIST THE HOMEOWNERS AND THE SKYROCKETING INSURANCE RATES?

Bill McBride:I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE REAL EXAMPLES. THE GOVERNOR KEEPS COMING BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS, AND SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE, WE'RE DOING JUST FINE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FLORIDA AND IN ALMOST EVERY AREA, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND NOW IN THE INSURANCE AREA, WE'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST STRESSED TO THE LIMIT. RATES ARE GOING UP ALL OVER FLORIDA.

WHAT YOU NEED IS A GOVERNOR WHO WILL APPROACH HIS JOB A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. MY VIEW IS THAT IT WILL BE MY RESPONSIBILITY AS GOVERNOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ALL THE PLAYERS AT THE TABLE, INSURANCE RATES ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.

PEOPLE ARE DROPPING INSURANCE AND NOT HAVING ANYPLACE TO GO. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE LEAVING FLORIDA.

AGAIN, I THINK IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF LEADERSHIP. LEADERSHIP WOULD REQUIRE TO BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER, BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.

ASK THEM TO AGREE ON FACTS AND THEN COMMON SOLUTIONS. WE HAVE HOMEOWNERS, WE'VE GOT BUSINESS OWNERS, WE'VE GOT DOCTORS, WE'VE GOT ALL -- ALMOST IN EVERY AREA WHERE INSURANCE IS AN ISSUE, THE RATES ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF, THEY'RE LEAVING FLORIDA.

THIS GOVERNOR SHOULD TAKE IT UPON HIMSELF TO MAKE SURE HE GETS EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE AND COMES UP WITH COMMON SOLUTIONS.

THAT'S THE STYLE I HAVE. THAT'S WHAT I WILL DO. AND I PROMISE THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA I WILL HELP IN THAT AREA.

Putney: GOVERNOR, LET ME GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ANSWER.

Gov. Jeb Bush:I DIDN'T HEAR A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL FROM BILL, AND THAT'S BEEN PAR FOR THE COURSE FOR THIS ELECTION.

THIS LAST SESSION, WE PASSED A BILL THAT ALLOWED THE STATE TO PROVIDE TAX-FREE FINANCING TO CAP PROPERTY INSURANCE RATES IN THE HIGH RISK AREAS, LIKE SOUTH FLORIDA. AND THAT WILL PROVIDE SOME RELIEF.

BUT THE BIGGER PROBLEM WITH INSURANCE RELATES TO THE ACT THAT WE HAVE TOO MUCH LITIGATION IN THIS STATE. AND MR. McBRIDE'S CAMPAIGN AND THE F.E.A. SECRET GROUP THAT FUNDED MOST OF HIS ADVERTISING IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN, A LOT OF THAT MONEY HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY TRIAL LAWYERS.

AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE WITH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE OR THE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS OR PROPERTY INSURANCE COSTS WHERE LITIGATION IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM, THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MAKES THOSE CHANGES. LEADERSHIP REQUIRES MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS AND TAKING ON THE SPECIAL INTERESTS CREATING THE PROBLEMS.

Putney: NOW QUESTION SIX... IT'S FROM JAY SAKALOW FROM SOUTH FLORIDA, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH FLORIDA'S ECONOMY.

Jay Sakalo: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO ENSURE THE ECONOMY EXPANDS BEYOND THE THE TOURISMATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 11th?

Gov. Jeb Bush: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS TO ADVANCE TOWARDS THE NEW ECONOMY. FLORIDA NOW HAS THE FIFTH HIGHEST INCREASE IN HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-TECH JOBS IN THE COUNTRIES. AND WE LEAD THE NATION IN JOB CREATION OVERALL.

BUT WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO. THIS SESSION, I PROPOSED AND THE LEGISLATURE CUT BACK THE APPROPRIATION, BUT THEY APROP YAITD $30 MILLION FOR A HIGH-TECH FUNDS FOR THE UNIVERSITIES. BY MATCHING THE GREAT WORK OF FLORIDA'S UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE WITH THE ENTREPRENEURS, WE CAN CREATE A COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE IN THE HIGHER WAGE AREAS.

HERE'S HOW WE SHOULDN'T DO IT... IS TO CREATE HIGHER TAXES. THE REASON WHY WE HAVE JOB GROWTH, THE REASON ARE FLORIDA IS A RESILIENT STATE IS THAT WE HAVE LOWER TAXES THAN MANY STATES IN THIS COUNTRY. THE STATES THAT HAVE HIGH TAXES HAVE HUGE BUDGETS DEFICITS NOW. THAT IS THE WRONG APPROACH.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY AWAY FROM TOURISM, WE NEED TO USE OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE TO DO SO. Putney: (to McBride:) HOW WOULD YOU GROW THE ECONOMY BEYOND TOURISM?

Bill McBride:THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE. IT'S LIKE THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T GET AROUND AND TALK TO PEOPLE VERY MUCH.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST WAGES IN THE NATION. WE HAVE A CRISIS, AND HE SEEMS TO IGNORE IT, SAYING THINGS ARE JUST FINE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING ONE, TWO, THREE JOBS, TO MAKE ENDS MEET. HE TALKS THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS WORK.

WE REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO IGNORE THESE PEOPLE. WHAT WE NEED IS BETTER EDUCATION SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A BETTER TRAINED WORK FORCE AND HAVE HIGHLY SKILLED WORK FORCE SO THAT THE COMPANIES WILL COME HERE.

WHEN I CHAIRED THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCIAL OF FLORIDA, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CEOs OF AMERICA DIDN'T WANT TO COME TO THIS STATE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T VALUE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM ENOUGH.

IT'S ALMOST AS IF THE GOVERNOR IS ON ANOTHER PLANET. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DON'T FEEL THEIR WAGES ARE HIGH. THEY'RE STRESSED OUT. THEIR KIDS ARE HAVING TROUBLE. THEY'RE TRYING TO DO WITH LESS AND LESS.

AND WHEN I ASKED THE PEOPLE OUT THERE IF THEY FEEL THE GOVERNOR IS -- THE ECONOMY IS ROBUST, VOTE FOR THE GOVERNOR. PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE, JOIN ME WITH THIS.

THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US. I THINK WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PEOPLE. AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THAT.

Gov. Jeb Bush: WELL, WE HAVE INVESTED SIGNIFICANT SUMS OF MONEY IN TRAINING FOR THE I.T. WORKERS. AND YOUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN THAT REGARD.

THERE WAS A REPORT DONE ON BUSINESS CLIMATE WHERE FLORIDA RANKED THIRD BEHIND TEXAS AND ONE OTHER STATE. WE LED THE NATION IN JOB GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE NATION. ONLY FLORIDA HAD A NET INCREASE IN JOBS.

SO YOU KNOW, I GUESS PEOPLE COULD GO TO PLACES WHERE THERE'S A DECREASE IN JOBS, BUT THANK GOODNESS IN FLORIDA WE'RE GROWING OUR ECONOMY.

Putney: A QUESTION FROM ANNA JOHNSON, AND SHE WANTS TO ASK YOU AND, MR. McBRIDE, YOU CAN RESPOND FIRST. THIS IS A QUESTION ABOUT CRIME.

Anna Johnson from Orlando: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE CRIME RATE IN FLORIDA?

Putney:SIMPLE AND DIRECT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO, MR. McBRIDE, ABOUT REUSING CRIME?

Bill McBrideTHIS IS AN ISSUE THE GOVERNOR AND I SHARE VIEWS AND DISAGREE ON SOME THINGS.

I SUPPORT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF FLORIDA. AND WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, TRYING TO REDUCE CRIME RATES AND MAKING SURE THAT FLORIDA IS SAFE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY MOM AND DAD, WHO STILL LIVE IN FLORIDA, AND MY SON AND DAUGHTER, AND OUR FAMILY. BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT HE WORKS CLOSELY WITH NOT ONLY THE PROSECUTORS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE, BUT HE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PREVENT CRIME.

AND THE WAY YOU DO THAT IS PIVOTING BACK TO THE MOST CRUCIAL ISSUE, AND THAT IS WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS TO KEEP THEM IN AN EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN PROSPER AND LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.

THE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO GIVE PEOPLE HOPE. AND THE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE WITH A GOOD EDUCATION, WHERE IN FACT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOOD JOBS WITH HIGHER PAYING WAGES, AND THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO MOVE TO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON GIVING KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE, AND SO THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEIR LIFE HAS NO MEANING AND THEY'LL RESORT TO DOING THINGS THAT WILL ENDANGER OTHER PEOPLE.

Putney:WHAT ABOUT HER QUESTION, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO REDUCE CRIME?

Gov. Jeb BushOVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE LOWEST CRIME RATE SINCE 19726789 WE'VE PRESIDENT TOUGH SENTENCE ON VIOLENT AND HABITUAL OFFENDERS. IT HAS LOWERED THE CRIME RATE. AND SECONDLY, WE HAVE MADE A COMMAND FOCUS ON DRUG TREATMENT AND PREVENTION. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT 60% MORE MONEY ON DRUG TREATMENT AND PREVENTION, AND A HAS HAD A DRAMATIC AFFECT ON CRIME AS WELL.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE ADDICTED AND DRUG SEEKING BECAUSE OF THEIR ADDICTIONS. AND THERE'S NEW HOPE IN THAT REGARD. WE HAVE FOCUSED IN EXPANDING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AND TOUGHER SENTENCES ON THE PEOPLE THAT COMMIT CRIMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AS IT RELATES TO LOWERING CRIME AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT WE HAVE THE LOWEST CRIME SINCE 1972.

Putney:LET'S GO ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION. AND IT IS SORT OF THE BASIC QUESTION THAT I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TUNED IN TO FIND OUT. IT'S FROM DEB NEWMAN FROM FORT MYERS.

Deb Newman: IT APPEARS AS THOUGH ON THE COMMERCIALS OR THINGS I'VE HEARD, YOU'RE ALL FOCUSING ON THE SAME ISSUES. WHAT DO YOU THINK SEPARATES YOU FROM THE OTHER CANDIDATE?

Gov. Jeb Bush: WELL, I ASSUME IT'S ON EDUCATION, WOULD BE THE MAIN ISSUE THAT WE TALK ABOUT. AND THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I BELIEVE IN HIGH STANDARDS AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND ACCURATE ASSESSMENTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHERE WE REWARD IMPROVEMENT AND PROVIDE HELP IN THE CHRONICALLY UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS BUT DON'T TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT SYSTEM AND BECAUSE WE'VE FUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION TO THE TUNE OF $3 BILLION INCREASE, WE'RE SEEING RISING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG WHILE. OUR GRADUATION RATE IS RISING. OUR DROP-OUT RATE IS DROPPING. FOURTHED, AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOURTH-GRADERS, 23% OF THEM WERE READING AT GREAT LEVEL IN 1998. THAT'S HORRIFIC.

BECAUSE WE HAD LOW EXPECTATIONS, WE BELIEVED WE COULD EXCUSE AWAY THE FACT THEY WEREN'T LEARNING, AND THAT'S THE RESULT WE HAD. WE'VE CHANGED THAT NOW. AND 42% OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN KIDS ARE READING AT GRADE LEVEL. IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH? NO.

BUT WE HAVE RISING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, BECAUSE WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS. MY OPPONENT WANTS TO GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY. AND HE WANTS TO BE -- THE AS MANY WILL -- THE SYSTEM WILL CONTROL HIM. HE'S HAD GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE UNION BOSSES, BUT THAT WON'T IMPROVE QUALITY EDUCATION IN THIS STATE.

Putney: I'M NOT SURE I HEARD YOU LAY OUT TOO MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOU AND MR. McBRIDE, EXCEPT ON EDUCATION, BUT MR. McBRIDE, LET ME ASK YOU THAT QUESTION. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM MR. BUSH?

Bill McBride: I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THE QUESTION IS JUST WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS THINGS ARE JUST FINE.

I HAVE KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON THERE. HE SAYS OUR CRIME RATES ARE DOWN. WE RANK 49th OR 50th IN THE UNITED STATES IN CRIME RATE. HE SAYS THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE DOING JUST FINE, HE'S HELPING CHILDREN. IT'S NOT TRUE.

THIS $3 BILLION BARELY HAS KEPT TRACK WITH INFLATION AND STUDENT ENROLLMENT GROWTH. AND WE'VE LOST GROUND COMPARED TO EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS GOVERNOR SHOULD LEVEL WITH THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. WE'RE NOT GOING BETTER. TALK TO PARENTS, TALK TO SCHOOL TEACHERS, TALK TO CROSSING GUARDS, TALK TO BUS DRIVERS, TALK TO PEOPLE INVOLV IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I WANT ACCOUNTABILITY. AND I THINK IT'S FAIR. PARENTS WANT TO KNOW HOW BIG THE CLASSES WILL BE FOR KIDS. THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY TEACHERS ARE TEACHING WITHIN THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE. THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW BIG THE SCHOOL IS. BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THEIR KIDS LOST.

THIS GOVERNOR IS BRAGGING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HASN'T OCCURRED. OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE IN CRISIS. HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS FINE AND GIVE ME FOR YEARS MORE. A STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ISN'T UP IN FLORIDA.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS STRESSING KIDS LIKE THEY NEVER HAVE BEEN BEFORE. YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS ONE SYSTEM -- YOU CAN'T GIVE HIGH-STAKES TESTS WITH KIDS. YOU NEED A SYSTEM WITH TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WILL GIVE PARENTS THE INFORMATION THEY NEED.

Putney: WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE F-CAT QUESTION IN JUST A MINUTE. YOU SAID THAT MR. McBRIDE REALLY WOULD TAKE THIS THE STATE OF FLORIDA BACK TO THE OLD WAYS. ARE YOU SAYING THAT HE IS A CLASSIC TAX-AND-SPEND, BIG-GOVERNMENT KIND OF GUY?

Gov. Jeb Bush: KIND OF, SORTA. IT MEANS MORE TAXES.

I DON'T THINK HE BELIEVES IN THE REFORMS SO ESSENTIAL FOR A DIVERSE STATE LIKE FLORIDA. AND THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THESE COMPLEX ISSUES IS IMPORTANT.

FOR EXAMPLE, TODAY, HE JUST SAID THAT WE SHOULDN'T USE THE F-CAT AS A MEASURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY. THAT MEANS WE WOULD LOSE $2.5 BILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE LAW CHANGED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TED KENNEDY AND HILLARY CLINTON PROPOSED THAT BILL, APPROVED BY MY BROTHER.

Putney:THIS COMES FROM CARLA BOLLI, WHO LIVES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.

Carla Bolli: WHAT CAN WE DO TO RELIEVE THE STRESS AND THE PRESSURE ON OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS REGARDING F-CAT TESTING?

Bill McBride: AGAIN, THIS IS A INTERESTING DILEMMA. THE GOVERNOR SAYS ONE THING AND KNOWS IT'S NOT MY POSITION.

THE F-CAT OR ANY STANDARDS I'D TEST SHOULD BE PART OF A SYSTEM TO LET KIDS AND PARENTS AND TEACHERS KNOW HOW THEY'RE DOING, SO THEY CAN BE HELPED. THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENT, IF WE KEPT THE F-CAT AND USED IT FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES, THAT WOULD BE FINE, AND THAT WOULD SATISFY THE LAW.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE IS MAKING IT THE ONLY WAY WE MEASURE HOW KIDS -- IT'S PUTTING KIDS AT RISK AND NOT WORKING.

THIS TEST HAS BEEN ABUSED SO BADLY THAT THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORRY ABOUT THE KIDS ARE LOSING GROUND. THIS TEST SHOULD BE PART OF A SYSTEM WHERE YOU GIVE FEEDBAC