The Florida Standards 
Parent & Family Night
2016-2017
Helping Students Succeed in College, Career & Life
School Name
School District Name
WHAT ARE THE
FLORIDA STANDARDS?
A Video by Chancellor Lyons

Tonight’s Objectives
1.	Gain a deeper understanding of the Florida Standards and expectations for this school year. 

2.	Understand what to look for in the their children’s classrooms and backpacks and ways they can support learning at home.

3.	Understand what college and career readiness is and why it matters.

WHAT ARE THE
FLORIDA STANDARDS?

“A set of clear, consistent and strong academic standards that will help ensure Florida’s students graduate high school ready for success in college, career and life.”

Expectations for 2016-2017 School Year
•	Teachers in grades K-12 are currently implementing the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics Florida Standards within their classrooms.

•	(Insert any district or school-based expectations here)

What does "college & career” readiness mean?

Activity: What is College & Career Readiness
At your table, discuss the follow questions:

•	What does college/career readiness look like?
•	When is a student ready for college or the workforce?
•	What do children need to learn to be ready for college or the workforce?
•	What can parents do to help their kids become college/career ready?

College and Career Readiness

The Florida Standards will get students ready for success in college, the workforce and life. 
But what does that mean?

College Readiness
•	College readiness means that graduates have the skills they need to do well in college.

•	“College” doesn’t mean a four-year degree. It can mean any program that leads to a degree or certificate.

•	Being “ready” means that students graduate from high schools with strong skills in English and mathematics.

Career Readiness
•	Career readiness means that high school graduates are qualified for and able to do well in long-term careers.

•	“Career” doesn’t just mean a job. It means a profession that allows graduates to succeed at a job they enjoy and earn a competitive wage.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

BECAUSE IT’S WHT OUR STUDENTS NEED!
BECAUSE IT’S WHAT OUR STUDENTS NEED!

DID YOU KNOW?

63% of high school graduates in Florida plan to pursue post-secondary education.

The Florida Standards will help make it possible for all students to get good jobs after graduation!

BECAUSE IT’S WHAT OUR STUDDID YOU KNOW?
ENTS NEED!
BECAUSE IT’S W

The Florida Standards will…
•	Prepare students to succeed in college, the workforce and life.

•	Ensure that every child, regardless of race, ethnicity or zip code is held to the same high standards and learns the same material.

•	Provide educators with a clear, focused roadmap for what to teach in each grade level.
 OUR STUDENTS NEED!
BECAUSE IT’S WHAT O

Let's review! The Florida Standards are:
•	A single set of clear standards for English language arts and mathematics;

•	A tool to help teachers, students and parents set clear and realistic goals for success; and

•	An important step in providing students with the high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college, careers and life.

English Language Arts/Literacy (Shifts)

•	Focus on non-fiction (informational text) and careful, focused reading.

•	Discuss reading and write using evidence (focus on facts, versus opinions).

•	Increase academic vocabulary.(e.g. analyze, analogy, articulate)

•	Use real-world examples to better understand concepts.

Mathematics (Shifts)

•	Learn more in-depth math by focusing on fewer concepts.

•	Focus on skill building, speed and accuracy.

•	Use real-world examples to better understand concepts.

Florida Standards – Sample ELA Question
LAFS. 6.RI.2.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative and technical meanings.

Florida Standards - Sample Math Question

MAFS.6.EE.1.1
Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents

An expression is shown
32 x 33
What is the value of the expression?
32 x 33 = 35 = 243
or 
32 = 9 and 33 = 27
9 x 27 = 243

What Parents & Families Can Do

Parent & family support can help students succeed…

•	By staying involved, informed and engaged, parents can help students be successful. 

•	There are many ways to help: 
•	Read with your children;
•	Review and discuss their homework;
•	Communicate with their teachers;
•	Attend public meetings to learn more;
•	Learn about the standards and how they affect your child’s education and school; and
•	Look through your child’s backpack each afternoon.

MAFS.6.EE.1.1
Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents
MAFS.6.EE.1.1
Write and e

umerical expressions involving whole-number exponents

More Family Involvement & Engagement Tips

•	Establish a daily family routine;
•	Monitor out-of-school activities; 
•	Model the value of learning, self-discipline, and hard work;
•	Express high but realistic expectations for achievement; 
•	Encourage children's development/progress in school; and
•	Encourage reading, writing and discussions among family members. 

What Works Best

Backpacks: What you should see

•	Real-world examples that promote what students learn in English and math that make more sense.
•	Math homework that asks students to write out how they got their answer. 
•	Books that are both fiction and non-fiction.
•	Writing assignments that require students to use evidence instead of opinion.
•	Math homework that asks students to use different methods to solve the same problem

Some questions to ask your child

•	Did you talk about anything you read in class today? Did you use evidence when you talked about what you read? 
•	Did you learn any new words in class today? What do they mean? How do you spell them? 
•	Tell me something you learned in your reading. How did you learn it? 
•	How did you use math today? Can you show me an example? 
•	What math problems did you do today? How did you get your answer?

WHAT WORKS BEST?

ACTIVITY: TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN!

Activity: Talking to your kids about school

At your table, talk about strategies you use to get your kids talking about their days after school. 

•	What questions do you ask? 
•	Do you discuss what they tell you? 
•	How do you get them excited to talk? 
•	What do you do when they refuse to talk? 

Helpful Resources

Resources Available at Your Fingertips

•	FLDOE.org –Department of Education’s official website

•	FloridaStudents.org – Florida Standards student tutorials 

•	JustTake20.org – Family reading activities

•	JustReadFlorida.com – Literacy resources

•	FLStandards.org – Florida Standards resources, parent guides and the “We Can Do This, Florida!” video series

Closing Discussion

1.	What did you learn today?

2.	What will you do differently tomorrow?

3.	What questions do you  have?

www.flstandards.org

Thank you for attending!