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September 2007 Newsletter
“Just for Teachers” Quality Survey: Message from Nicole Flesvig, Teacher Liaison
“Just for Teachers” is a Department of Education initiative intended to open the lines of communication between Florida educators and the Department. It is my mission to provide you with timely information, helpful resources and opportunities to communicate your feedback directly to the Department. To accomplish these goals, we created the “Just for Teachers” monthly e-mail newsletter and “Just for Teachers” Web site, which were launched in August 2006. Additionally, a television show, by teachers for teachers, called “Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education,” was launched in February 2007. From time to time, I send out online surveys and requests for participation in roundtable and online discussions. By responding to these requests, and contacting me directly via e-mail or phone, your concerns, thoughts, and ideas are communicated to those who help shape educational policy in Florida. It’s important to me and the Department that “Just for Teachers” continues to serve your needs. Please take a moment to provide your feedback via the “Just for Teachers Quality Survey” so that I may improve the quality of services to you. Click here to take this five-minute survey!
Florida's Budget Shortfall
The state's revenue is less than projected, which means there is less money available to fund the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year budget that was approved by the Florida Legislature in May. As a result, state agencies have been asked to tighten their belts and make recommendations for budget cuts to their areas. The Florida Department of Education is committed to minimizing the impact of these cuts on any programs that directly affect students and administrative programs wherever possible. At this point, we do not know the degree to which education will be impacted by the budget shortfall or how much of a cut there may be to education funding (as well as how this may affect specific school districts). The Legislature will make the ultimate decision regarding adjustments to this year's budget. In the meantime, school districts have been advised to set aside 4 percent of their state funds in preparation for possible cuts.
2007 Education Legislation: Your Input Matters!
Educator input plays an important role in the legislative process. Florida teachers can assist the Department in determining legislative priorities each year through feedback on important issues.
In 2007, your input played a role in the following legislation:
Reading Coaches – Additional reading coaches will guide more teachers to help students develop strong reading skills. Currently, Florida’s 2,300 reading coaches help educators learn the most comprehensive and effective research-based practices for teaching reading.
Teacher Lead Money – In 2006, eligible teachers received an average of $250 to purchase additional materials and supplies; however, the actual amount received by teachers varied slightly by district since funding is allocated on a per-student basis. In 2007, the Legislature allocated just over $48 million, an increase of more than 6 percent from 2006, in funding for the Teachers Lead Program– a stipend that enables teachers to buy additional supplies for their classrooms. Additional statutory language also assures that charter school teachers and Pre-K ESE teachers are eligible to receive this stipend.
Physical Education – Elementary school students (grades K-5) in Florida public schools will now have 150 minutes of physical education each week. Governor Crist also established the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness to develop a state plan of action to promote physical fitness and nutrition for all Floridians.
School Grades: What do they mean?
Similar to the manner in which report cards communicate student progress to parents, school grades communicate to the community how well a school is performing relative to state standards. As a result of input from teachers, administrators, and parents, a school grading system has been in place in Florida since 1999. Over the years, input from Florida educators has shaped the school grading system and resulted in the following changes in how Florida assesses school progress:
- 1999– Student performance, attendance rates, graduation rates, dropout rates, school discipline rates
- 2000– Student performance only
- 2002– Student performance and learning gains
- 2005– Added learning gains of students with disabilities and English Language Learners; increased passing writing score from 3 to 3.5
In 2007, three new components were added to the school grade formula:
- Science FCAT scores
- Learning gains in mathematics among the lowest-performing students
- Bonus points earned for 11th and 12th grade students passing the 10th grade FCAT
More than two-thirds of all graded public schools received “A” or “B” grades in this year’s grading calculation with only 3 percent of graded schools receiving an “F.” A total of 1,135 schools maintained their "A," 38 new schools earned an "A," 304 schools improved to an "A" and 117 schools improved to a grade other than “A”. View more information on school grades.
The School Recognition Program: How it Works
The Florida School Recognition Program rewards schools that have sustained high student performance or demonstrated substantial improvement in student performance. Schools that receive an "A," or improve at least one letter grade from the previous year, are eligible to earn $100 per student in school recognition awards. Recognition funds can be used by a school for non-recurring faculty incentives, educational equipment, new technology or hiring temporary personnel to assist in maintaining and improving student performance. Learn more about the School Recognition Program.
For Florida's struggling schools, the Assistance Plus program provides funding, resources and support to address areas of weakness. Additionally, failing schools receive school improvement facilitators, reading coaches, technical assistance and assessments to monitor student progress. Learn more about the Assistance Plus Program.
External Assessment and Accountability Advisory Group: Community Input Making a Difference
Each year, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members participate in FCAT test development committees. This group of nearly 600 reviews test questions and participates in various aspects of test development. To broaden this very public process, the Department of Education recently convened an External Advisory Group to assist in identifying an independent group of testing experts to review 2006 third-grade FCAT reading data, recommend process improvements, and recommend a procedure for establishing an annual review of the test. The committee currently has 30 members representing school district superintendents and assessment directors, public interest groups, teachers, businesses, and others. The External Advisory Group has selected the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements at the University of Nebraska to analyze FCAT processes and procedures and recommend improvements. Representatives of the Buros Institute will meet as necessary with the External Advisory Group to identify areas of concern, present findings, and solicit recommendations. Learn more about the External Advisory Group.
Hispanic Heritage Month Contests for Students and Teachers
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide and begins on September 15. In honor of this celebration, Gov. Charlie Crist is inviting all Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grades to take part in the Florida Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. One winner will be selected from each of the three grade-level categories, elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a full four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and a computer. Essays should answer the question: “In what way will you impact the future of the Hispanic community in Florida and why?”
The Governor is also encouraging students, parents, teachers and principals to nominate Hispanic, full-time educators in elementary, middle or high schools for the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school (K-5) teacher, one middle school (6-8) teacher and one high school (9-12) teacher. Winners will receive a check for $1,500 and a $500 gift card for classroom supplies.
The contests are the first in a month-long schedule of events planned to commemorate Florida’s Hispanic heritage. For more information on both contests and to download contest entry and nomination forms, click here.
Education Commissioner Blomberg Announces Hispanic Heritage Month Recommended Reading List
Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg recently announced the Just Read, Florida! recommended reading list in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. The literary works in this year’s recommended reading list feature Hispanic authors and were selected to help increase students’ interests in Hispanic culture. The reading list contains appropriate selections for all ages, kindergarten through adult. For the full reading list, visit http://www.justreadfamilies.org/Reading/HHM.asp.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Web Resources and Student Activities
Looking for resources to assist you in incorporating the study of Hispanic heritage into your curriculum? Look no further! Visit the new “Just for Teachers” Hispanic Heritage Month resource page at www.fldoe.org/justforteachers/hhm.asp.
New Sunshine State Standards Web site
This new site allows educators to offer input on standards revisions, compare previous Sunshine State Standards (SSS) to revised standards, and use the new SSS search feature to find the standards by keyword in any subject area or grade level. As of Sept. 12, the Reading and Language Arts Standards Crosswalk will be available online so that curriculum and instruction may be adjusted accordingly, without missing a beat! This is a great resource for keeping up with and accessing revised Sunshine State Standards. You can learn more about the proposed world-class Math standards presented to the State Board of Education for approval. Florida’s new Math standards were developed based on input from Florida educators, international and national Math experts, university and community college faculty and members of the business community. For more information and to access the new Reading and Language Arts standards, click here.
Florida Future Educators of America
Are you looking for a great club to sponsor? This is a wonderful opportunity to promote teaching to our students, as well as give them an inside look at what it takes to become a teacher. To help you get started, there are free handbooks available for all school levels. The DOE also provides free posters, membership cards and certificates. The handbooks provide suggestions for activities and events, club forms, and other useful tips. There is also an annual Florida Future Educators of America conference in January 2008 and a regular newsletter. Many districts provide stipends for sponsoring clubs. Ask your school administrator about starting a Florida Future Educators Club at your school. Learn more about Florida Future Educators of America.
For Advanced Degree Seekers: Finding an Online Program
While this service is not sponsored by the Florida Department of Education, I wanted to share information about Mind-Streams, a free service specializing in online education for working professionals. Mind-Streams is a service that partners with regionally-accredited universities across the nation to match you with the program that best fits your lifestyle and goals, at no cost to you or your school. These partner universities offer AA/AS, BA/BS, Masters, Doctorate, National Board Certification, Certification and Certificate Programs. For more information, contact Christen Uppal at christen.uppal@21-learn.com. You can also access informational Web seminars via the Mind-Streams Web site, just click here.
Education Gadfly: Education-Related Newspaper Articles from Around the State
Courtesy of Meridian Strategies, Florida educators now have a new Web resource allowing access to education-related articles from newspapers statewide. The site also provides links to education-related blogs, education research organizations, and more. Check it out, click here!
Did You Know?
New Resource for Conferences, Grants, Scholarships, and Money-Saving Offers
The “Just for Teachers” Web site now contains pages devoted to conferences, grants, scholarships, and money-saving offers. Please check these resources regularly for great opportunities.