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January 2008 Newsletter
Message from DOE Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig
Welcome back to school. With mid-year assessments taking place and state testing right around the corner, the Florida Department of Education is here to provide teachers, students, and parents with valuable resources. This month’s issue of the “Just for Teachers” newsletter also covers the State Board of Education’s 2008 legislative priorities, information on how to get funding for classroom projects, upcoming conferences, and more. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit http://www.fldoe.org/justforteachers or contact JustforTeachers@fldoe.org.
Preparing for State Testing Time: Teaching to the Test?
The phrase “teaching to the test” is something we hear quite a lot. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is an assessment designed to measure what students have learned in class as indicated by the Sunshine State Standards. Because the FCAT is aligned with the Sunshine State Standards, the term “teaching to the test” really means teaching the Standards. These standards let teachers, parents, and students know what students are supposed to learn at any given grade level in any given course. The Standards assure that students in all areas of Florida are learning the same concepts, no matter what their socio-economic status or geographic location. In addition, the test changes annually. No two FCAT exams are the same. Many schools encourage teachers to teach the Standards in their own unique, creative way, only using FCAT practice materials to familiarize students with the format of the test. To share best practices in teaching the Standards creatively, e-mail JustforTeachers@fldoe.org.
The Florida Department of Education offers numerous state testing-related resources and support materials for teachers and parents such as the following:
- The new, searchable, Sunshine State Standards Database
- Sample FCAT Test Materials
- Released FCAT Tests
- About FCAT: Tips for Teachers, Parents, and Students
The Florida Center for Instructional Technology also offers resources containing online practice for students as well as professional development tools with video examples of teaching the Standards through creative, hands-on lessons:
- FCAT Express: Grade 4 Reading Practice
- FCAT Express: Grade 8 Reading Practice
- FCAT Express: Grade 10 Reading Practice
- FCAT Math 5: A Staff Development Tool (with video)
- FCAT Math 8: A Staff Development Tool (with video)
Funding Classroom Projects with “Donors Choose”
Have a classroom project that needs funding? A new organization called “Donors Choose” allows educators to post requests for funding of classroom projects on the “Donors Choose” Web site. Prospective donors can then shop for projects to fund. As of Dec. 17, 2007, donors matched with classroom projects via “Donors Choose” contributed $16,827,011 to classroom projects benefiting 860,508 students in all 50 states. Click here to learn more and post your project for funding.
Florida Trend’s NEXT Magazine: Helping Teens Plan for the Future
Each public high school should have received a shipment of the annual edition of Florida Trend’s NEXT magazine. For the past seven years, Florida Trend’s NEXT has been a resource for high school students, counselors and teachers. The magazine provides information for high school students as they prepare to attend college or choose a career. As always, the magazines are provided free to schools and students. In addition to sponsored sections from the Department of Education including the “FACTS.org College and Career Planner,” the magazine also includes the “Get Smart Guide,” a directory of universities, colleges, community colleges and career education schools. Click here to check out the new Florida Trend’s NEXT Web site.
The Florida Trend’s NEXT magazine Web site also has a “Teacher’s Lounge” for educators. Here, you can access the 2007-2008 Classroom Activity Guide to accompany the magazine and provide your feedback via the teacher/counselor survey. Every teacher or guidance counselor who submits a completed survey is entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to AAA Auto Club South. The 2007-08 survey will close on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. Winners will be posted by Feb. 1, 2008. Click here to access the resources available in the “Teacher’s Lounge” and take the survey!
State Board of Education Approves 2008 Legislative Priorities
The State Board of Education recently approved its 2008 Legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. These priorities will serve as the Department of Education’s focal point during the Legislative session and includes four main areas:
- Articulation and Acceleration: Ensuring that students are able to transition from K-12 to postsecondary education, and between and among postsecondary institutions.
- Ethics in Education: Strengthening Florida’s ability to maintain the integrity of its educators by enhancing the law relating to the ethical actions and duties of educators.
- World Class Education Standards: Establishing World Class Education Standards for Florida’s students which reflect the content standards students need to succeed in the 21st century.
- Exceptional Student Education: Seeking to amend state law to update terminology related to exceptional student education, and ensuring the state has the authority to implement the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Teacher in the Spotlight: Diane Tomko, Flagler Palm Coast High School
2007 Flagler County Teacher of the Year and State Finalist
A believer in character learning and education, Diane Tomko continuously provides her students with opportunities to enhance their personal development. The 28-year veteran ensures that her students understand the importance of being active in their community, and participate in projects that affect social change. She teaches Gifted Language Arts to high school students.
Diane helped found Future Problem Solvers (FPS), a program that teaches students to use problem-solving skills to deal with issues affecting the local community. The program teaches important life lessons such as developing resolutions and using teamwork to achieve common goals. She challenges her students to view life’s obstacles as challenges rather than problems, and to use their critical thinking skills to overcome them.
In addition to developing the plan that certified her school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Diane has also developed school-wide programs for gifted children. She has led her students to participate in multiple international-level championships as well as community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity.
It’s not surprising that many students keep in touch with Diane long after they’ve left her classroom. She motivates students, provides them with purpose and enthusiasm, and empowers them with the confidence to meet all challenges with determination, poise and intellect.
Florida's Annual Hazardous Weather Awareness Week (Feb. 2-9, 2008)
Florida's annual Hazardous Weather Awareness Week will take place Feb. 2-9, 2008.
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management will distribute the annual hazardous weather guide titled, “The Weather Radio Report,” to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in public schools.
- The Newspaper in Education Coordinators also produce an accompanying teacher guide, with articles and activities contained inside the “The Weather Radio Report,” formulated and edited to meet the Sunshine State Standards. This newspaper guide will be delivered to school districts across the state from Jan. 22 – Feb. 1, 2008.
- On February 6th, the Statewide Tornado Drill will take place from 10-10:30 AM EST / 9-9:30 CST. The National Weather Service simulates a tornado warning during this drill by activating NOAA Weather Radio which will prompt school officials to begin their drill procedures.
- The Just Read, Florida! Office, along with the Division of Emergency Management, also has the annual statewide high school short essay contest. More details about the contest can be found at http://www.justreadflorida.com/HWAW.
First Annual Florida Math Day: Call for Lesson Plans
he Office of Mathematics and Science at the Florida Department of Education is introducing the first–ever Florida Math Day on May 1, 2008. On this day, every school in the state will be invited to teach a specific mathematics lesson. There will be a lesson for high school, middle school, intermediate elementary school, and for primary school. The newly adopted Sunshine State Standards for mathematics include a new body of knowledge for secondary mathematics: Financial Literacy. The theme for all of the lessons on Math Day will be financial literacy. The Office of Mathematics and Science is inviting teachers and other interested mathematics educators to submit lesson plans to be considered for the State Math Day lessons. With all of the schools in Florida participating in this event, teachers can submit lesson plans that potentially involve every school in the state. The lessons selected for implementation will be offered through the new Florida Standards Database. The writers of these model lessons will be declared Florida Mathematics Educator of the Day during Florida Math Day, and will be offered the opportunity to model the lesson in their classrooms. Lesson plans will be due no later than Feb. 15, 2008. For detailed information and to learn how to submit your lesson plan for consideration, visit http://www.fldoestem.org/.
Helpful Resources: Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) and Florida Educator Leadership Examination (FELE)
Are you looking for resources to help you find answers to your questions about the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) or the Florida Educator Leadership Examination (FELE)? For answers to frequently asked questions, information on skills and competencies required, test guides, customer support, information on computer-based testing and more, click here.
Upcoming Conferences: Save the Date!
To stay abreast of upcoming conferences, click here to visit the “Just for Teachers” conferences page! To add your conference to the “Just for Teachers” conference calendar, contact JustforTeachers@fldoe.org.Just Read, Florida! K-12 Leadership Conference: June 29 – July 2, 2008 Orlando
The 2008 conference offers a variety of opportunities for educators and administrators. More than 300 breakout sessions will be geared toward providing essential information to school leadership in the area of reading and literacy. There will be numerous sessions presented by fellow principals, reading coaches, and district leaders, giving you the opportunity to hear about the great literacy initiatives taking place in schools throughout our state. Click here to learn more or register today!
National Staff Development Council (NSDC) Summer Conference: July 13-16, 2008 Orlando
This conference, for teacher leaders and the administrators who support them, focuses on the following: school-based staff development, learning communities, data and evaluation, facilitation and leadership skills, closing the gap, and mentoring and induction. Keynote speakers feature Yvonne Chan, award-winning principal; Richard Ellenburg, 2008 Florida Teacher of the Year, Louanne Johnson, author of “Dangerous Minds,” and Cathy Owens, NSDC Director of Learning. Registration is $395 for the three-day conference. Register by March 31 and receive a $50 discount. Online registration opens January 2008. For more information, click here.