More than three months after Jeb Bush ended his presidential campaign, the former Florida governor is returning to the Foundation for Excellence in Education.
Bush will serve as chairman and president of the foundation’s Board of Directors. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice served as board chair from January 2015 to the present. She will remain a board member.
“One of the greatest challenges and opportunities we have in America today is to create a 21st century education system that ensures all students have the skills, teachers and educational options they need to succeed in life,” Bush said in a statement. “Too many children right now are failed by a deeply flawed bureaucratic system, but I’m optimistic about the future because I’ve seen the great results produced by states across the country.”
Last week, Bush made a public appearance in Amsterdam, where he made news for saying that Donald Trump’s supporters aren’t idiots. “What I fear is that people, kind of looking down their nose, will say the people that are supporting Donald Trump are a bunch of idiots. They’re not. They’re legitimately scared. They’re fearful,” Bush said. “They’re not as optimistic for legitimate reasons and there should be respect for that.” Bush has said he will not be supporting Trump or Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
Bush founded the Foundation for Excellence in Education in 2008 after leaving the Florida governor’s office in 2007. Since then, it has supported comprehensive education reforms including school choice, digital learning, outcome-based funding and high academic standards.
Bush was also elected to serve as the chair and president of the foundation’s sister organization, Excellence in Education in Action.
Bush isn’t the only school choice fan in his family. His son, Jeb Bush, Jr., is on the board at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
