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December 2007 Newsletter
Message from DOE Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig
December is a month of excitement for many reasons, and although students are gearing up for Winter Break, much is happening in education news. In addition to providing some valuable FCAT resources, this month’s “Just for Teachers” newsletter continues to spotlight Florida teachers, provide online school safety resources for teachers and parents, and highlight upcoming conferences and grant opportunities. Also included is recommended holiday reading courtesy of the Just Read, Florida! Office. Best wishes for a safe and restful holiday break.
On TV: Teacher Talk (Show 7)
On December 13, the next installment of “Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education,” will air on the Florida Education Channel (DISH 9418 and online), PBS (courtesy of the Florida Knowledge Network), and your local education channel. This show focuses on Florida Teacher Certification and the online resources available to assist you in becoming certified or recertified in Florida. The show also focuses on school safety with a visit to Collier County to learn about the outstanding partnership between the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the school district, partnering Youth Relations Deputies (School Resource Officers), with every school to teach a safety and prevention curriculum at all grade levels. In addition, Gadsden County teacher-turned-author, Betty James, joins us again to discuss her new book and the former Gadsden County student who inspired it. You won’t want to miss it! For broadcast times and online viewing, visit: http://www.fldoe.org/justforteachers/tv.
Florida’s High School Graduation Rate on the Rise
The Department of Education recently announced that Florida’s graduation rate rose to 72.4 percent in 2006-07, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to last year’s rate (71.0 percent) and an overall increase of 12.2 percent since 1998-99 (60.2 percent). Meanwhile, Florida’s annual high school dropout rate declined from last year, dropping 0.2 percentage points to 3.3 percent, a decrease of 2.1 points since 1998-99. This year’s graduation rate is the highest it has been since Florida employed new, more accurate data collection methods during the 1998-99 school year. The Florida Department of Education bases its graduation rate on data that follows every single student from ninth grade to graduation yielding a more precise calculation. Florida currently stands alone nationally in its practice of compiling and following individual student records to determine a true, four-year graduation rate. In a 2005 report released by the National Governors Association, Florida is cited as a national leader and model for calculating graduation rates. For more information on Florida’s graduation rates and calculation methods, visit http://www.fldoe.org/news/2007/2007_11_30.asp.
Just Read, Families! Releases Holiday Reading List
Just Read, Families! (a division of Just Read, Florida!) has released a holiday reading list on its Web site. The initiative is aimed at bringing families together and encouraging children to continue reading during the holiday break. The list provides age-specific book suggestions and resources such as links to county and municipal libraries, tips for parents on how to read with children, and recommendations for books with holiday themes including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan. Click here to access the Holiday Reading List.
School Safety: Resources for Parents and Teachers
While school safety is always an important topic, the recent formation of a statewide task force on the reduction of gang activity by Attorney General Bill McCollum has thrust the topic back into the spotlight. In addition to school and district-based training, teachers and parents have many resources at their fingertips to assist in educating students about important safety-related issues. The Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools provides many online resources about Safe Schools initiatives related to bullying, cyber-safety, and other important issues. Visit http://www.fldoe.org/safeschools/ for more details. If you are interested in learning more about the “Safe Streets” initiative to reduce gang activity and access valuable online resources on this and other safety-related topics, visit the Attorney General’s Web site at http://myfloridalegal.com/.
Teacher in the Spotlight: Robert Johnson, Port Charlotte High School
2007 Charlotte County Teacher of the Year & State Finalist
Social Studies teacher Robert Johnson is truly committed to motivating his high school students to learn more about the world around them - so much so, that his school principal describes him as “the most effective and inspiring instructor that I have ever known.” Robert teaches social studies to all grade levels of high school students. Throughout his 19 years as an educator, he has been a model teacher by using his multifaceted approach to instructing. He is best known for his enthusiasm and ability to fuel his students’ thirst for knowledge, helping them to not only learn about historical events and geography, but to understand other cultures and comprehend the complex ideologies of the world. His curriculum is unique and extends far beyond the classroom, and it often includes his students’ families.
During the summer months, Robert designs educational excursions all over the world and encourages parents to attend as well. Last year, he hosted a four-week trip to Eastern Europe. Robert has been so successful advising his school’s model United Nations program that last year, Charlotte County Commissioners declared one day “Port Charlotte High School Model U.N. National Championships Day” to celebrate their national championship, in which they competed against 300 other schools across the nation.
Described as an environment where students feel comfortable to freely express and explore ideas, his classroom is a place where children are academically challenged. They are encouraged to think critically and develop confidence in their ideals. He even employs the Socratic teaching style, sitting among his students to foster a sense of equality. His assignments are always challenging, but he encourages his students to push themselves. Accordingly, Robert’s students and their families respect and admire him greatly. They view him as a mentor and seek his advice on all facets of their lives.
For more information on the Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year Program, click here.
Calling All Teachers and Students of French
State French Competition: Le Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride
Featuring a variety of events for students and teachers of French, this annual competition is set to take place April 3-5, 2008, in Orlando. Students may compete in a variety of French language events and have opportunities to win scholarships, cash awards and travel to France and Quebec. For information on how to register, visit the Congrès Web site!
Free Pass to Universal Orlando Resort: Don’t Miss It!
By now, you have probably heard about the opportunity for all Florida Pre-K through 12th grade public school personnel to receive a free one-day, two-park ticket to experience both theme parks and bring up to six friends and family with you for $40 each (plus tax). In the event that you have not heard about this offer, you may want to check it out. It is valid through Dec. 23, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.fldoe.org/justforteachers.
HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative
In 2008, Hewlett Packard (HP) will award approximately $7 million in cash and equipment to schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico through the HP Technology for Teaching Program, including reinvestment for selected projects previously funded. The HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative is designed to support the innovative use of mobile technology in K-16 education, and to help identify K-12 public schools and two- and four-year colleges and universities that HP might support with future grants. Applications will be accepted Jan. 8 - Feb. 14, 2008.
In 2007, the following Florida schools received grants from this program:
- Avon Park High School, Avon Park
- Alternative Learning Center, Tallahassee
- Joseph Williams Elementary, Gainesville
- Madeira Beach Middle School, Madeira Beach
- Rosenwald Middle School, Panama City
- School for Applied Technology, Miami
Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC): Jan. 22-25, 2008
FETC is one of the largest, most successful conferences in the United States devoted to educational technology attracting teachers, principals and deans, district administrators, curriculum designers, media specialists, technology directors and various other educators. The conference program is designed so educators and administrators have an opportunity to learn how to integrate different technologies across the curriculum – from kindergarten to college – while being exposed to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies on student technology use. The conference will take place Jan. 22-25, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Early Registration closes on December 21, for those faxing or mailing registration forms, and Jan. 8, 2008, for those choosing to register online. For more information, visit http://www.fetc.org/.
Department of Education Releases 2007 FCAT Tests
The Department of Education has released five 2007 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests® (FCAT). The grades five and six reading and mathematics tests and grade eight science test are actual tests taken by students and are no longer in use. In addition to the tests, the Department released test answer keys, a fact sheet explaining uses for the test, a document explaining how to score the released tests, and Frequently Asked Questions. Test questions are written according to specific guidelines developed by Florida educators and are designed to assess how well students are meeting or exceeding the Sunshine State Standards. Questions are reviewed and revised by teachers, curriculum experts and school and district administrators to ensure they are appropriate for the grade level tested. Each year, more than 500 classroom teachers, special education teachers, English language learning instructors, administrators, curriculum specialists, policy leaders, college and university experts, school board members and parents take part in the question review process.
The Department began releasing full-length FCAT tests in the fall of 2005, starting with grades four, eight and 10 reading and mathematics tests. As funds permit, the Department will release other tests in future years. The released FCAT tests, as well as supporting documents, can be found at http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatrelease.asp.
Did You Know?
The Bureau of Educator Certification provides numerous online certification resources allowing teachers to apply and track their application status online. In addition, each district has its own certification personnel who work closely with the Department to ensure the process is as easy as possible for educators. For more information, visit http://www.fldoe.org/EdCert/.