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March 2008 Newsletter
Message from DOE Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig
This month’s newsletter is packed with great information about how Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is preparing our youngest students for school, Florida’s recognition for student performance in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and what is being done to ensure that Florida students continue to excel well into the future. In this issue, you’ll also find information about upcoming conferences and free resources.
Recently, I had a unique opportunity to sit down with Education Commissioner Eric Smith to talk about his experiences as a classroom teacher and his vision for Florida’s schools, students, and teachers. Commissioner Smith’s teaching career began in Orange County with many of the challenges new teachers face every day. He credits the mentoring and support provided by his administrators and colleagues as important factors in helping him to become a successful teacher, and eventual administrator, before becoming Florida’s Education Commissioner. My conversation with Commissioner Smith appears in show eight of “Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education” which airs on the Florida Education Channel (DISH 9418), PBS (courtesy of the Florida Knowledge Network), and your local education channel. Click here to view the show online and access broadcast schedules.
In the News
The Sunshine State Standards: An Overview & HistoryThe Sunshine State Standards were first approved by the State Board of Education in 1996 as a means of identifying academic expectations for student achievement in Florida. These original standards were written in several subject areas and were divided into four separate grade clusters (PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 -12). This format was chosen to provide flexibility to school districts in designing curriculum based on local needs. As Florida moved toward greater accountability for student achievement at each grade level, the Sunshine State Standards were further defined in 1999 with specific “Grade Level Expectations” for K-8. As time went on, it was recognized that the level of rigor in the 1996 standards did not adequately address the increased levels of achievement attained by our students. In addition, evidence from both national and international measures of student achievement indicated the urgent need for higher levels of challenge for all students. The Florida Department of Education recognized the need for a systematic approach to review and revise all of the academic standards, and on January 17, 2006, the State Board of Education adopted a six-year cycle that set forth a schedule for the regular review and revision of all K-12 content standards. This action went beyond increasing the rigor of the standards; it included this alignment of the new standards with assessments, instructional materials, professional development, and teacher licensure exams fully integrating the Standards into the culture of K-12 instruction, setting the stage for higher levels of rigor and higher academic achievement for years to come. Florida teachers, along with subject area experts and other key stakeholders are an important part of this process.
A Commitment to Excellence: It's Florida Law
In 2006, the Florida Legislature stated its commitment to higher and more challenging standards for Florida’s children by passing HB 7087. Florida law now reads:
§1001.03(1) ...The state board shall establish a schedule to facilitate the periodic review of the standards to ensure adequate rigor, relevance, logical student progression, and integration of reading, writing, and mathematics across all subject areas.
This is a commitment that is shared by educators across Florida, as evidenced by the overwhelming level of public feedback for this revision process. To date, the following standards have been revised: Reading & Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Seven additional curricular areas will undergo the revision process through 2011. The Florida Department of Education is currently revising the Social Studies standards for Florida's students. To learn more, visit http://www.flstandards.org.
State Board of Education Approves World-Class Science Standards
The State Board of Education approved the revised Science Sunshine State Standards. The revised Science Standards were developed by a committee of educators, scientists, business leaders, school administrators and other key stakeholders through a comprehensive, year-long drafting and review process that began in May 2007. As part of that process, more than 10,000 individuals provided more than 260,000 ratings and 20,000 comments via a Web-based system. In addition, the Department of Education (DOE) held five public hearings throughout the state (Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Miramar and two in Orlando) to collect public feedback on the standards.
Highlights of the Revised Standards Include:
- Subject matter that is based on top science standards in the nation and the world.
- Content drafted by a diverse committee of scientists, science educators and other stakeholders.
- Multiple independent reviews by experts such as the National Center of Research Board of Science Education and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
- Refined set of topics for grades K-8 to encourage critical thinking and problem solving approaches to learning.
- More focused content for high schools to guide course instruction so students leave school prepared to enter postsecondary education or the workforce.
As a result of public input, the State Board of Education approved a version of the standards which consistently applies the terms “scientific theory” and “law of” to all appropriate areas throughout the document. Based on leading national and international science standards, the revised Science Standards incorporate the latest scientific research, concepts, and techniques that form the educational foundation for students to compete in the global economy of the future. District science curriculum will be aligned to the revised standards beginning in the 2008-09 school year and the Science Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) will begin testing students on the material in 2012.
Click here to learn more about the review process for the revised World-Class Science Standards.
Click here to access the revised World-Class Science Standards and related resources.
Click here for information on Florida Science Day.
Florida Ranks Fourth in the Nation in Advanced Placement Student Performance
According to a national report issued by the College Board, more than one-fifth of Florida’s 2007 public high school graduates passed an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, ranking Florida fourth in the nation. Florida had the second greatest increase in the total number of public school students earning a passing score on an AP exam when compared to all other states from 2006 to 2007. In addition, Florida leads all states in the number of African-American and Hispanic students passing AP exams and has eliminated the Hispanic student achievement gap. Florida’s public school AP participation rate also outpaces the national participation rate. Nearly 40 percent of Florida’s 2007 graduating class took at least one AP exam during high school. In 2006, approximately one-third of AP students who went on to a Florida community college or university earned an average of 11 college credits prior to finishing high school. That credit translates into about four courses and an average cost savings of $745.80 for Florida public community college students and $1,228.48 for Florida public university students.
"Students take AP classes for the academic challenge and to increase their competitiveness in the college application process. These students have been exposed to the increased reading and writing requirements of college work and the intellectual rigor of advanced work,” said Naples High School (Collier County) AP Environmental Science teacher Amy Lawson. “For many of these very bright students, this is the first time they've been academically challenged and they love it. The lab work is real. The course is relevant to their future. They respond by working hard to achieve. It's fun to be academically challenged.”
Click here to learn more about Florida’s unique partnership with the College Board.
Click here for more information on Florida’s participation and performance on AP.
If you are a teacher interested in attending an Advanced Placement Summer Institute, download the brochure (PDF).
If you are an administrator interested in attending the Advanced Placement Summer Institute for Administrators June 25-27, 2008 in Clearwater or the 34th Annual Summer Institute on College Admissions July 13-17, 2008 in Orlando, contact sro@collegeboard.org.
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Prepares Children for Early Learning Success
Florida students who completed Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs (VPK) last year performed better on key kindergarten readiness measures than children who did not participate. In addition, children who only attended a portion of a VPK program outperformed students who had no exposure to the program at all. As a result, more than 100,000 Florida children stepped into a kindergarten classroom this year better prepared to learn and succeed in school. Students who attended a VPK program, even part of the time, performed better in three key early learning areas: alphabet recognition, sound recognition and classroom readiness. VPK providers are rated on a scale of zero to 300 based on how well their students performed in the three key early learning areas. VPK providers must achieve a minimum score of 211 to be considered a high-performing provider.
For more information and to access readiness rates for VPK providers in your area, visit the Office of Early Learning at https://vpk.fldoe.org.
Upcoming Events
New Eight-Week Fitness Challenge for Elementary StudentsGovernor Charlie Crist has announced a new program for Florida’s students, aimed at helping them improve their lives through physical fitness. The Governor’s Fitness Challenge, to be piloted this year in Florida’s elementary schools, will provide guidance and incentives to schools to help boost physical fitness for children and will expand to include middle schools in 2008-09. A competitive component of this program allows Florida elementary schools to vie for cash prizes toward the purchase of physical fitness equipment and will provide recognition for participating students. Schools will have the opportunity to win up to $10,000 and other awards such as Governor’s Fitness Challenge T-shirts, certificates, and stickers along with the opportunity to have a Florida professional athlete or Olympian come to the school to speak with students. Schools will be asked to register their commitment to participate online by March 7. For more information on the Governor’s Fitness Challenge, including school registration, visit http://www.GovernorsFitnessChallenge.com.
Celebrate Florida Heritage Month: March 15-April 15, 2008
“Mapping Florida: The Faces and Places of Home” is the theme of the 2008 Florida Heritage Month (FHM), March 15–April 15, sponsored by the Florida Department of State. Statewide cultural organizations, libraries, museums, and historic and archaeological sites have planned a variety of educational events for people of all ages to encourage knowledge and appreciation of Florida’s rich and diverse heritage. The FHM Web site also offers an educational component with lesson plans and history-based resources for teachers, students, and the general public, as well as a Florida facts quiz. For additional information about Florida Heritage Month activities, public programming, and more visit the Florida Heritage Month Web site at http://www.floridaheritagemonth.com.
Upcoming Conferences: Save the Date!
34 th Annual Florida Association of Partners in Education ConferenceApril 9-11, 2008 (Jacksonville)
The Florida Association of Partners in Education aims to increase the availability of resources for the formation and support of effective partnerships between educators and community stakeholders; increase the awareness about the importance of partnerships for promoting student success; and promote the importance of effective partnerships to policymakers. This conference is packed with cutting-edge ideas and new programs. More than 500 conference attendees representing the volunteer sector from business, community, government and schools focus on the positive impact community involvement initiatives can have on education and student achievement.
Interested in attending this year’s conference? Register here.
Florida’s 3rd Annual Bullying Prevention Conference
April 24-25, 2008 (Orlando)
The Florida Department of Education is holding Florida’s 3rd Annual Bullying Prevention Conference on April 24-25, 2008, in Orlando. The purpose of this conference is to raise awareness about the issue of bullying and related school safety issues and provide skill-building opportunities to those who work with students.
The conference is open to prevention specialists, school guidance counselors, teachers, principals, Safe and Drug-Free Coordinators, school health educators, school psychologists/social workers, School Resource Officers and law enforcement, staff development directors, deans of discipline, student service directors, PTA members, children and family mental health counselors, school advisory council members, school nurses, school board members, parents, extended day/after school staff, etc.
The Bullying Prevention Conference will offer presentations and important information on:- Effective bullying prevention programs and strategies
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety
- Changing school culture/climate to address bullying
- Links between bullying and academics/learning
- Brain research and bullying
- Bullying and Florida law
- Bullying and students with disabilities
- Relationship between gangs and bullying
- School bullying: minimizing risk of harm and liability
Catch the early bird rate to lock in your spot at the conference for a discounted rate of only $175 (postmarked by 4/10/08). Click here for more information and to register.
7 th Annual Just Read, Florida! K-12 Leadership Conference
June 29-July 2, 2008 (Orlando)
The Just Read, Florida! Office annually hosts the K-12 Leadership conference for Florida superintendents, principals and reading/literacy coaches. This year, teacher leaders are also invited to attend. This summer promises to be the most exciting event ever with over 300 concurrent sessions serving 5,000 educators. Since spaces are allotted on a per school basis, be sure to consult your school principal if you are a teacher or a reading coach interested in attending this year’s conference. Registration closes March 31, 2008.
To learn more about the Just Read, Florida! K-12 Leadership Conference and access Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.justreadflorida.com/conference/.
Money-Saving Offers
Free Pass to Universal Orlando Resort for all Pre-K through 12 th Grade Public School PersonnelIf you haven’t yet taken advantage of the free pass to Universal Orlando Resort for All Pre-K through 12 th Grade Public School Personnel, there is still time. The current offer is good through March 16, 2008 and also offers the opportunity to take up to six friends and family members with you for $40 each. To learn more visit
http://www.fldoe.org/justforteachers.