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Dr. Karol Yeatts
Director
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 432
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone: (850) 245-7805
Fax: (850) 245-0826

Florida’s Office of Mathematics & Science

Mission Statement

Florida’s Office of Mathematics and Science is charged with defining research-based state education policy and programs for the state of Florida to increase student knowledge and performance in the content areas of mathematics and science. This office shall be fully accountable to the Commissioner of Education and shall:

  1. Develop and implement training for highly effective mathematics and science lead teachers in every school in Florida.
  2. Create multiple designations of effective mathematics and science instruction, with accompanying credentials.
  3. Provide professional development resources to K-12 mathematics and science teachers and school administrators on effective instructional strategies.
  4. Provide parents with information and strategies for supporting their children in mastery of mathematics and science knowledge.
  5. Provide technical assistance to school districts in the development and implementation of aligned K-12 research-based mathematics and science and integrated mathematics and science curriculum programs.
  6. Coordinate the work of the Florida State University’s Florida Center for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (FCR-STEM) to provide information on research-based mathematics and science programs and professional development programs for mathematics and science teachers.
  7. Periodically review Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (Common Core) for mathematics and science at all grade levels.
  8. Periodically review teacher certification examinations to ascertain whether the examinations measure the skills and content area knowledge needed for research-based mathematics and science instruction.
  9. Work with approved teacher preparation programs to integrate research-based mathematics and science instructional strategies.
  10. Administer state and federal funds allocated to the improvement of mathematics and/or science education to meet the goal of all students graduating from high school prepared to enter postsecondary or the workforce without required remediation in mathematics and/or science.

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (Common Core)

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics were adopted by the Florida State Board of Education on July 27, 2010. These standards are to be fully implemented with the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. The Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Mathematics adopted by the State Board of Education in September 2007 will be assessed for the first time in 2010-1011 using the FCAT 2.0 and Algebra 1 End-of-Course assessments.

The Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science were adopted by the Florida State Board of Education in February 2008 and will be assessed for the first time in 2011-2012 using the FCAT 2.0 Science for Grades 5 and 8, and Biology 1 End of Course assessments. The 1996 Sunshine State Standards for Science will be assessed in 2010-2011 using FCAT Science for Grades 5, 8, and 11.

Equally Rigorous Science Courses

Florida Statute, 1003.428 General requirements for high school graduation; revised. 3. Three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component. . . . Beginning with students entering grade 9 in 2013-2014 school year, one of the three credits in science must be Biology 1 or a series of courses equivalent to Biology 1 as approved by the State Board of Education, one credit must be chemistry or physics or a series of courses equivalent to chemistry or physics as approved by the State Board of Education, and one credit must be an equally rigorous course, as determined by the State Board of Education.

Equally rigorous courses have been identified by the State Board of Education based upon recommendations from the Commissioner of Education and Florida's Office of Mathematics and Science Advisory Board using the following definition. Equally rigorous courses are level 2 and level 3 science courses that contain content deemed "equally rigorous" when compared to science course requirements specified by name in Florida Statute (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, and Biology). The comparisons have been based upon the cognitive levels of complexity associated with content specific benchmarks, the depth and breadth of the content focus, as well as the laboratory components of each course.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the Nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. The Awards recognize outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Nominations are now open: The 2012 Awards will honor math and science teachers working in grades K-6. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2012.

Teachers Apply Online: Applications must be completed by May 1, 2012.

For additional information please visit the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching site.

What Constitutes a STEM Program of Study?

A Guide for Florida's Public Schools (PDF, 118KB)

The acronym STEM is fairly specific in nature referring to science, technology, engineering and mathematics; however, the concept of STEM encompasses much more than the sum of its parts. Workers in STEM occupations use science and math to solve problems and drive our nation's innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies and new industries. STEM programs of study are typically classified based upon four occupational clusters: computer technology; mathematical sciences; engineering and surveying; and natural, physical and life sciences. STEM programs in Florida's Public Schools must embrace the integration of technology and engineering in science and mathematics.

Sunshine State Scholars

The February 2012 Sunshine State Scholars program was an unparalleled success with 80 student scholars, their families, inspiring teachers and 34 of Florida's colleges and universities participating this year.

The Sunshine State Scholars program originated in Florida in 1997 as a mathematics and science competition. The program was founded by Dr. William Caldwell of the University of North Florida and brought together 12th grade students from throughout the state to compete in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Many of these students did not remain in Florida for their post secondary education, so in 2010 the Florida Education Foundation (the Foundation) resolved to stop the flow of intellectual talent from the Sunshine State.

The Foundation changed the focus of the Sunshine State Scholars program and asked each of the state's 67 school districts to identify their top 11th grade student in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These students along with their parents and a teacher who had been a significant influence for them, travel to Orlando for an extraordinary two-day program.

In addition to bringing together the scholars to be honored, the Foundation also invites representatives from Florida's colleges and universities to meet with the students and discuss career and post secondary opportunities available to them right here in their home state.

The list below is the minimum selection criteria for district scholars as well as an alternate from each district. Districts may establish additional criteria for selection as appropriate.

  • The student has achieved Junior class status and has an interest in pursuing postsecondary education opportunities in Florida.
  • The student has expressed or demonstrated an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related studies.
  • The student has a weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher.
  • Based upon information available at this point in time the student should be on track to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars Award according to the current guidelines established for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

To learn more about the Sunshine State Scholars program, contact Mary Lee Kiracofe of the Florida Education Foundation: .

2012 Sunshine State Scholars

Contacts

Karol Yeatts
Director, Office of Math and Science
(850) 245-7805

Jackie Speake
Science Curriculum Specialist
(850) 245-5068