Florida Moves Forward Planning Transition to Digital Instructional Materials
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413
FLORIDA MOVES FORWARD PLANNING TRANSITION TO DIGITAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Tallahassee, Fla., Sept. 21, 2012 – Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today announced the creation of a new group that will plan Florida’s transition to digital instructional materials. House Bill 5101 established the Digital Instructional Materials Work Group during the 2012 Legislative Session to ensure that our state’s school districts are ready for the digital instructional material requirements that begin in 2015.
“As technology continues to advance, it is essential that our schools are ready to integrate digital instructional materials into the curriculum,” said Public Schools Deputy Chancellor Mary Jane Tappen. “This is an important priority for our state and the taskforce will help guide the transition so educators and students are prepared to master subject area content in new ways.”
The taskforce includes nine members and will focus on developing an implementation plan that specifies options for providing access for students; providing content by subject area; providing training and professional development for teachers; and identifying funding sources, including the reprioritization of existing resources and recommendations for new funding. The first meeting will be in Orlando on Sept. 25, 2012.
The members of the Digital Instructional Materials Work Group are listed below.
|
Name |
Representing |
Affiliation |
County |
| Shirley Baker | Middle School Principal | Everitt Middle School | Bay |
| Joe Binswanger | School District Instructional Content | Sarasota County School District | Sarasota |
| Steven Birnholz | Business | Florida Council of 100 | Hillsborough |
| Connie Collins | High School Principal | Crooms Academy of Information Technology | Seminole |
| Tom Dana | Postsecondary Education | University of Florida | Alachua |
| Sharyn Gabriel | Middle School Principal | Ocoee Middle School | Orange |
| Kim Kendall | Parent | Parent | St. Johns |
| Katrina Rolle | Parent | Parent | Leon |
| Gary Weidenhamer | School District Instructional Technology | Palm Beach County School District | Palm Beach |
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About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org.
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