Fla. Gov. Scott begins education listening tour

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Rick Scott didn't make a good first impression when it comes to concern about Florida's schools and now he's trying to make up for it.

On Monday, he's beginning a statewide "listening tour." Scott plans to meet with teachers and students as he prepares to propose significant changes to student testing.

During his first year in office, public school funding was cut by more than $1 billion dollars. He also signed a bill creating a merit pay system for teachers and stripping tenure for new hires, which upset teachers unions.

Last year he made a point of his demand to increase education spending by $1 billion - something he's repeated many times since signing the budget earlier this year. Critics say it didn't make up for the previous cut.