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Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction

 

  Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction  

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Teresa Sweet
Bureau Chief
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 432
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone: (850) 245-9032
Fax: (850) 245-0826

About Us

The Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction includes the offices of Healthy Schools, Humanities, Instructional Materials, Library Media Services, and Mathematics & Science. Our mission is to provide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance for implementing legislation, State Board of Education policy and rule, and Department initiatives pertaining to curriculum and instruction for Florida students and teachers. Services are provided for district and school staffs, parents and citizens, DOE staff, other state agencies, college faculty, and professional education associations. Our goal is for all Florida students totaling more than 2.6 million to receive a high quality education that will prepare them to be active citizens, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.

The Bureau is responsible for the development and implementation of Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for the Arts, Health, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies, as well as the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics. The Common Core also includes standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects. Successful implementation of these rigorous and relevant standards will prepare Florida’s students for college and career.

The Bureau also manages more than $21,000,000.00 in federal and state grants to support professional development for teachers and administrators throughout the state as well as the development of quality instructional tools.

Breaking News

New! Florida Green Ribbon Schools Award Opportunity

We are pleased to announce that Florida is participating in the USED Green Ribbon Schools program and the online application is now available.

The selection process will be based on demonstrated progress toward the goals of each of the three USED-Green Ribbon School Pillars:

  1. Pillar One: the school has a net-zero environmental impact
  2. Pillar Two: the school environment has a net positive impact on the health and performance of students and staff
  3. Pillar Three: 100% of the school's graduates are environmentally and sustainability literate

We are aware that these are ambitious goals and few schools may achieve all three goals. However, it is important for your school to demonstrate concrete accomplishments, using quantified measures wherever possible.

Attached you will find the original memo sent to the District School Superintendents and you can access the online application here: FL GRS Application

We are eager for your school to apply for this important new national recognition and we appreciate you participation and effort. If you have any questions about this award, please feel free to contact Romina Sola, Florida Green School Network Coordinator at or 850-284-3298 or Penny Detscher, Office of Healthy Schools, at or (850)245-5089.

Please visit this the U.S. Department of Education site for further information about the Green Ribbon Schools Award.

Common Core State Standards

Florida’s timeline for implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, English/Language Arts, and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects is available at Florida’s CCSS Implementation Timeline (PDF, 81KB).

In the coming months, the bureau will provide additional guidance and support for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards including but not limited to the following:

Florida’s Department of Education will not provide crosswalks for English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics between the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The implementation of the Common Core State Standards necessitates a change in instruction; hence, there is concern that if a teacher thinks a new standard is like an old standard, the instruction will not change, and the old lesson will stay the same. In this scenario, students would not reap the benefits of improved instruction with a clear focus on the new more rigorous standards. Districts are encouraged to adhere to the department’s implementation plan which includes a blended curriculum in 2013-2014.

Course Requirements K-12

Florida Statute, 1003.42, provides for required courses and instruction to ensure that students meet State Board of Education adopted standards. Most specifically, members of the instructional staff of the public schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historic accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction.

State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.09412 Course Requirements - Grades K-12 Basic and Adult Secondary Programs reads: A course description directs district personnel by providing the essential content and course requirements for each course in grades K-12 contained in the "Course Code Directory and Instructional Personnel Assignments" adopted by Rule 6A-1.09441, F.A.C. Course requirements approved by the State Board of Education and are (available) online.

Course descriptions (requirements) define content standards for all subject area and grades K-12. For additional information, please contact any subject area specialist within the Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction.

Florida's Integration Supports Team (F.I.S.T.)

Florida's Integration Support Team is a State Education Agency (SEA) group dedicated to develop the SEA's internal capacity to support Local Education Agencies (LEA's) in their implementation efforts.

Florida's Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) (PDF, 137KB) and the practice of providing high-quality instruction and intervention matched to student needs using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important instructional decisions through data-based planning and problem-solving provides the platform for educators in Florida to build a single system to have the greatest impact on student achievement.

Standards-based Instruction (PDF, 88KB) aligned to Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (Common Core) course descriptions includes: learning goals that define what students should know and be able to do; engaging lessons that include appropriate and meaningful activities, correction of common misconceptions, and higher-order thinking skills; and lastly, formative, interim, and summative assessments that provide multiple sources of student data to guide decision about adjusting instruction and/or providing interventions.

Lesson Studies (PDF, 133KB) (and other Collegial Learning Team practices) provide teachers with an opportunity to practice a form of long-term professional development in which teams of teachers systematically and collaboratively conduct research closely tied to lessons, and then use what they learn about student thinking to become more effective instructors. Research for Better Schools

Lesson Study Toolkit Guide for Developing and/or Evaluating Materials for use in Florida's Public Schools. (PDF, 133KB)

Linda Darling-Hammond (1997) said: "The standards come alive when teachers study student work, collaborate with other teachers to improve their understanding of subjects and students' thinking, and develop new approaches to teaching that are relevant and useful for them and their students."

Florida's model of proficiency for educators addresses both the art and the science of teaching. Instruction and Educational Leadership research has begun to reveal practices and strategies that lead to positive student learning - when done correctly and in appropriate circumstances. Florida's Teacher and School Leader evaluation system redevelopment focuses evaluation on proficiency in those research based strategies and practices.

Our collaborative vision of One System Supporting ALL Students (PDF, 401KB) promotes a system in which instruction and learning is based upon common standards, sound research, collaboration, problem solving driven by multiple sources of student data, and culminating in increased student achievement.

Offices

  • Office of Healthy Schools - The mission of the Office of Healthy Schools is to create supportive school environments that provide students and staff the opportunity to develop positive health related decision-making skills, leading to optimal academic success and quality of life. Staff members in our office are available to assist with health education curriculum, physical education curriculum, and the creation of healthy school teams.


  • Office of Humanities - The Office of Humanities provides curricular and instructional leadership in the areas of the fine arts, the language arts, the social sciences and gifted education. Its mission is to enhance instruction and learning in these areas through curricular articulation and integration, as well as through innovative K-12 content organization and instructional pedagogy.


  • Office of Instructional Materials - The Office of Instructional Materials implements the Statute driven State Instructional Materials Adoption process. The mission of the office is to ensure that the highest quality instructional materials, aligned to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards are available to Florida’s students and teachers.


  • Office of Library Media Services - The mission of Library Media Services is to collaborate with all stakeholders to assist schools in providing a quality education for all students and to provide guidance in delivering excellent library media programs. Specifically, through library media programs, students will become active and creative locators, evaluators, and users of information.


  • Office of Mathematics & Science - The 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.


Other Related Curriculum Areas