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September/October Letter

Dear Colleagues,

By now, the new school year is in full swing and hot topics in education abound!

Remember that many highlighted programs are ongoing and each monthly update that I send to you is also archived on the "Just for Teachers" website for your access at any time. Consult Just for Teachers for many resources of value to Florida educators.

September/October Highlights:

  • Breaking a World Record Reading Aloud
    The record breaking event is scheduled during a thirty minute program that begins at 11:00 am EDT this Thursday, September 28, 2006. Lead by Governor Bush, students will read an excerpt from Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (this book is also inspiring the Reading in the Arts Contest running through November 10, 2006). All officially registered schools can access the materials needed for the record breaking attempt by logging in to the official database on the Just Read Florida website. Over 270,000 students from over 50 districts are set to participate. You can also watch the event via live TV broadcast or web cast. Visit the website for information on the record attempt and the Reading in the Arts Contest!
  • Reviews of Florida’s Educational System
    Recently, two nationally known organizations reviewed Florida’s educational system. The findings of the Hoover Institution's Koret Task Force on K-12 Education show that, in many areas, Florida has become a national leader in education reform that has worked to the clear benefit of many students. The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research recently reviewed Florida’s policy to end social promotion. The study found that two years after the test-based promotion policy was enacted, retained Florida students made significant reading gains relative to the control group of socially promoted students.
  • The FloridaLearns Academy
    Provided by PAEC, the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, FloridaLearns offers electronic Professional Development Connections, the Florida Education Channel and an extensive library of courses. These resources give educators, around Florida and nationwide, opportunities to earn in-service points and complete training at their convenience. PAEC is the same organization which produces the digital Teacher to Teacher workshops available from the U.S. Department of Education. If you do not have access to the Florida Education Channel in your area, you can watch all programs via real-time web cast. You can also access previously run programs and trainings at your convenience via the web. Take advantage of their "Tuesday Teacher Training" series and other services. Ask your district about completing in-service online!
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
    The celebration runs through October 16, 2006. Hispanic Heritage Month gives teachers and students the opportunity to pay tribute to Florida’s Hispanic roots and celebrate the invaluable contributions of past and present Hispanic-Americans. There are multiple opportunities to make Hispanic Heritage a part of curriculum across all subject areas. Special Hispanic Heritage Month posters, complete with curriculum guides, were mailed to each school. Visit the website, which is also available in Spanish, for a calendar of events, Hispanic facts, featured Hispanic artists, and more!
  • New Legislation: High School Reform
    Last Fall, the Florida Department of Education assembled the High School Reform Task Force, comprised of state legislators, school board members, district superintendents, school administrators, teachers and parents, to develop recommendations for making high schools more relevant to students and to increase the rigor of coursework. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, ninth graders will face a new set of high school graduation requirements. They must earn 16 credits in core academic classes, including four credits in English and math, three credits in social studies and science, one credit in art and one credit in physical education and health. Next year’s ninth graders will also select a "major area of interest" as part of their personalized education and career plan to better engage them in planning and making decisions for their future. The plan does not lock students into a certain career path and it is flexible, allowing for change in areas of emphasis. The intent is to allow students to explore their interests in order to make high school a more meaningful experience.
  • Sunshine Connections
    Is your district connected yet? If not, visit the demonstration site at http://demo.sunshineconnections.org to begin using some of the resources already available to connected districts. View examples of resources available in the password-protected restricted area. You can find more information about Sunshine Connections and all that it offers, including when your district will connect, on Just for Teachers.

Please contact me with your feedback on these and any other topics which are important to you. Also, feel free to suggest instructional resources that you find useful and would like to see provided on Just for Teachers and Sunshine Connections for access by colleagues around the state.

See you next month!

Best Regards,
Nicole