No Child Left Behind: the Bush family cashes in too

[LiviaOlivia]

No Child Left Behind: the Bush family cashes in too
Saturday, January 08, 2005

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We already know that Armstrong Williams received a handsome payday from the taxpayer for pimping No Child Left Behind for Bush, but House Blend reader Ms. Julien in Miami pointed out that the Bush family (it turns out Neil) benefits directly from No Child Left Behind. We went digging and collected a bit of info that is quite interesting.

Neil Bush founded Ignite Incorporated, a software company that helps students prepare to take comprehensive tests required under the No Child Left Behind act. A phone call to Ignite's toll free number (1.866.464.4648, ext 113) with a search for a company directory by name for Neil Bush gets his extension, so it's still his baby with the dough rolling in.

Here's a little more info on Neil's profiteering down in Florida: Governor's Brother Marketing School Software http://www.flanews.com/archives2002/1028School.htm :

Some politicians are questioning whether Governor Jeb Bush's brother Neil is trying to use the FCAT to make a buck. Neil Bush founded a company that provides software to help students take standardized tests. Critics say it doesn't look right for Neil Bush to be marketing his software to Florida schools.

Ignite, Incorporated makes computer software to help children prepare for standardized tests like florida's FCAT. Students at an Orlando-area middle school are using the software as part of a pilot program. Founder Neil Bush is the brother of Governor Jeb and President George Bush.

The arrangements is raising eyebrows at the state Democratic Party. Spokesman Ryan Banfill says having one brother selling something to help students on a test spearheaded by another brother and sanctioned by the president doesn't look good. "We think that there's an appearance of impropriety here," Banfill said. "We think that in the name of all that's good and ethical, that maybe Neil Bush should step back and not try to make money off of Florida's FCAT."

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Ignite wanted 30 dollars-per-year-per-student for its software for this deal, netting 60 million dollars.http://www.ignitelearning.com/index.shtml

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http://www.pamspaulding.com/weblog/2005/01/no-child-left-behind-bush-family.html