Race to the Top Teacher and Leader Preparation Committee to Meet Via Conference Call

The Race to the Top Teacher and Leader Preparation Committee will meet via conference call tomorrow. The meeting will focus on updating the working draft of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards based on public input from the Rule Development Workshop that was held today.

The Committee represents Florida’s diversity in culture, community and region, and consists of postsecondary representatives, teachers, principals, district administrators, superintendents, and school board members. Additional information about the Committee and its continuing work can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/committees/tlp.asp.

Interested media are invited to join the conference call for informational purposes only. All media inquiries should be directed to the DOE press office.

The conference call will be held:

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011
3:30 p.m.
(866) 372-5781
Conference ID # 99310706

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CONTACT: DOE PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413

Statement by State Board of Eduation Chair Kathleen Shanahan Regarding State Board of Education Member Mark Kaplan’s Resignation

“I received word from State Board of Education member Mark Kaplan today that he has tendered his resignation from the Board effective July 20, 2011, in order to pursue new opportunities for him and his family. Mark’s unwavering commitment to student success has been truly inspiring and his leadership, knowledge and dedication will be greatly missed as Florida continues its pursuit of educational excellence for all children. On behalf of the Florida State Board of Education I would like to thank Mark for his devoted service to the students of Florida and wish him much success in wherever his future endeavors may take him.”

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You’re Invited to Join Jeb Bush at Excellence in Action 2011

National Summit on Education Reform 2011: Education Everywhere

You are invited to join Jeb Bush and the Foundation for Excellence in Education at our annual summit – the premier forum for education reformers like you to learn what works, what doesn’t and what’s next in education reform. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leading authorities in education and become part of the movement to improve education in America!

What: Excellence in Action National Summit on Education Reform 2011: Education Everywhere
When: October 13-14, 2011
Where: The Palace Hotel in San Francisco, CA

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Florida Senate Budget Committee Passes Bills to Expand Educational Choice and Digital Learning

Tallahassee – The Foundation for Florida’s Future applauds the members of the Senate Budget Committee for their commitment to advance bold legislation to prepare today’s students for success. SB 1822, SB 1656, and SB 1620 will reach more students trapped in failing schools with a lifeline to a quality education, expand educational options for parents of students with disabilities, and increase the quality and availability of virtual learning respectively.

“I thank Senators Benacquisto, Flores and Wise for their dedicated work to improve every child’s opportunity to receive the knowledge and skills to succeed,” said Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. “These bills have the potential to improve the lives of students throughout our state by greatly expanding access to a quality education and equipping our students and their families with the quality educational choice that best meets their needs. The futures of millions of Sunshine State students are brighter because of the Senate’s actions today.”

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House Appropriations Committee Passes Bills to Expand School Choice and Access to a Customized Education

Tallahassee – The Foundation for Florida’s future applauds Rep. Stargel and the members of the House Appropriations Committee for their commitment to expanding access to high quality charter schools and providing students with a customized education by passing HB 7195 and HB 7197.

“Today is a great day for Florida’s families,” said Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. “HB 7195 and HB 7197 will expand school choice for parents and students by providing innovative and high-quality educational options. A decade ago, the idea of providing every student in Florida with a customized education was just a dream. Today, that dream can become reality. I thank Rep. Stargel and House leadership for their commitment to empower students to pursue a quality education that best fits their learning style.”

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Rep. Cynthia Stafford Reacts to Passage of the District School Board Membership Bill in the Education Committee

MIAMI, Fla. – Representative Cynthia Stafford (D-Miami) expressed disappointment today with the passage of CS/CS/HB 307 in the House Education Committee. The bill aims to reduce school board voting districts to seven single member districts, and add two at-large members who would serve as chair and vice chair. The bill only applies to school boards in counties of more than 2 million people. Currently, only Miami-Dade County fits the criteria.

Representative Stafford issued the following statement:

“In Miami-Dade County, at-large seats resulted in a lack of diversity on the Miami-Dade County school board. It took a lawsuit to get to the minority representation numbers we have today on the school board. Anything that reduces representation concerns me. With this bill, Miami-Dade County will take a “forced” step backwards, not forward. The African American vote will be diluted, and we fought too hard to get the seats that currently exist. To tamper with the process is disheartening and will have a negative impact. Although the faces have changed, the game has not.

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Florida House K-20 Innovation Subcommittee Advances Bills to Expand Educational Choice

Tallahassee – The Foundation for Florida’s Future applauds the members of the House K-20 Innovation Subcommittee for their commitment to advance bold legislation on behalf of today’s students. Yesterday, the committee approved HB 1329 to provide McKay Scholarships to more students with disabilities and voted to file two committee bills, which will increase the quality and reach of virtual learning and grow the number of quality charter schools, respectively.

“I thank Representative Bileca for his commitment to expanding educational choice for students with disabilities. I also thank members of the K-20 Innovations Subcommittee and Chair Stargel for filing these additional reforms,” said Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. “The Florida Senate has filed similar legislation that could change the lives of students throughout our state by greatly expanding access to a quality education. I look forward to continuing to work with members of the House and Senate to pass legislation that gives more students access to a quality education that best fits their learning style and needs.”

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Florida Dept. of Education is Working for Smooth, Accurate and Timely Testing Process

By Dr. Eric J. Smith, Florida Commissioner of Education

I’m disappointed in the Orlando Sentinel’s recent article, “Test results will be late again, state tells schools,” which presents a host of misinformation about this year’s FCAT administration.

First and foremost, the article’s claim that assessment results are going to be late this year is premature. Students are currently in the testing process and we are months away from calculating the results. Based on this, a claim that nonexistent results are late is a gross misstatement of fact.

Putting aside the article’s sensationalized title, the chief concern raised in the piece deals with Florida’s administration of our first-ever end-of-course exam (EOC). The current delivery timeframe for the Algebra I EOC Assessment results is on or before June 7, 2011. The due date is specified in our contract, which was finalized in the summer of 2009, with our testing vendor, and is necessary due to the required processes when brand new assessments are introduced. Essentially, since we have no past Algebra I EOC results, we must perform something called post-equating to ensure the results that are reported are valid and accurate. Post-equating, by its nature, occurs after results come in, and is necessary to validate the results. Therefore, results for this exam are unable to be reported any sooner this year. The post-equating issue has been widely and openly discussed with school districts across the state for some time now, so that they may prepare for the timing of the results accordingly.

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Statement by Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith Regarding the Florida House’s Passage of the Student Success Act

“I applaud the Florida House for their passage today of the Student Success Act, a critical piece of legislation that, if signed into law, will spark a new era of achievement for our students. This legislation is special because it elevates the teaching profession to the esteemed level it deserves and provides us with opportunities to highlight effective teachers while promoting improvement in those who are less effective. Through it we will finally be able to reach that next plateau of success, producing better outcomes for our children and turning our classrooms and schools into models for our nation.”

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Rep. Matt Gaetz: On the Issues – Education Reform

Dear Friends,

Education reform will be one of the most significant, controversial issues that the legislature will address in 2011. I have been blessed with very thoughtful feedback on the issue. Our office has received countless emails and phone calls. We’ve hosted small group discussions with educators and parents. I’ll confess that my approach to education reform comes partly from my own experiences as a mentor at Pryor Middle School, a debate coach, a guest teacher in 4th grade classes and a student (not all that long ago).

I have come to some very clear conclusions:

The argument against any education reform is not persuasive
Teacher tenure needs to be eliminated
Highly effective teachers should make more money
Tallahassee cannot dictate what constitutes a “highly effective” teacher

As such, I have signed on as a co-sponsor of HB 7019 and will strongly advocate for its passage on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives. I firmly believe this bill to be the right approach for Florida’s students.

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Surprised Educators Play Starring Role in Unique Teacher Appreciation Episode of Teacher Talk

~ Special television show to air statewide on Florida Knowledge Network ~

TALLAHASSEE – The teacher appreciation episode of the popular Teacher Talk television show featuring nearly 100 Florida educators will broadcast today at 4:00 p.m. via local channels through the Florida Knowledge Network. Themed as an “Oprah-Style” giveaway, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) coordinated with Walt Disney World and 19 different education vendors to transform the monthly television show into a teacher appreciation extravaganza. The surprise show, taped at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort on Feb. 17, 2011, began as a workshop on teaching resources for the classroom and ended with amazed teachers leaving with free gifts in hand.

“I was thrilled to honor some of our hard-working educators with a special edition of Teacher Talk,” said Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “Florida is fortunate to have such exceptional teachers, and this was one small token of appreciation for the extraordinary work they do every day in their classrooms.”

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Student Leaders To Unveil Education Policy Recommendations For 2011

~Students represent delegations back home on Florida education reform~

Tallahassee, FL- Fresh from debate at the 3rd Annual Florida Student Education Policy Conference, college and university student leaders will unveil their 2011 education policy recommendations during a student-led press conference tomorrow morning (8:30am) at the Florida Press Association in Tallahassee. Following the press conference, students will present their resolutions to key education leaders and legislative members during scheduled meetings at the Capitol (see meeting agenda attached). “Our voice and our perspective as students can add tremendous value to the education reform debate taking place this legislative session,” said Mariana Justo, senior at Miami-Dade College. “I hope that our visit to Tallahassee sends a strong message to legislators and that our ideas are received as constructive, relevant, and valuable.” “At the end of the day, it’s our responsibility to get involved in the public debate and we’re excited about doing so,” said Justo. The student delegations recently met in Orlando to debate and come to consensus on education reform measures important to them. ENLACE Florida, a statewide network promoting college-readiness, access, and success for underrepresented students, is facilitating the effort.

PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS
WHO: Florida College & University Students, Florida Student Education Policy Conference
WHAT: Unveil 2011 Education Policy Recommendations
WHEN: Wednesday, March 9th, 8:30am
WHERE: Florida Press Association, 336 East College Avenue, Tallahassee

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Media Contact: Braulio Colón
ENLACE Florida
(813)313-8903-cell, bcolon@enlace.usf.edu

Sen. Sobel’s “State of Education” Summit is an Educational Success

Last night, more than 125 community members joined State Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) at Cooper City High School in Broward County for the “State of Education” Forum.  Interested parents, teachers, students, administrators and community members came out to participate in a discussion on improving public education in Florida. Broward Schools Superintendent Jim Notter and School Board Member Patti Good were on hand to welcome the large, enthusiastic crowd.

The highlight of the summit was presentations by a distinguished group of panelists, including: Dr. Susan Fuhrman, President of Columbia University Teachers College; Mary Tappen, Florida Department of Education; Levi Williams, former member of the Broward College Board of Trustees; Pat Santoramo, President of Broward Teachers Union; Latha Krishnaiyer, Florida Parent-Teacher Association; Vance Aloupis, The Children’s Movement of Florida; Alan Levy, Broward Workshop; and Nora Rupert from the School Board of Broward County.

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Joint Statement by Representatives Bill Proctor and Erik Fresen Regarding Teacher Quality PCB Filed in the Florida House

Tallahassee, Fla. – Representative Bill Proctor (R-St. Augustine), chair of the House Education Committee, and Representative Erik Fresen (R-Miami) chair of the House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee and co-sponsor of the proposed committee bill (PCB), today released the following joint statement regarding the filing of the PCB on student success and teacher quality in the Florida House.

“It is our belief that every child in our state, regardless of race, creed or economic status, deserves to have an exceptional teacher in the classroom that is vested in their futures and will strive to provide students with a quality education.

“This proposed committee bill is another step toward meaningful education reform that will serve to further improve our state’s education system by implementing a performance pay plan that is grounded in student learning growth that will result in the ability to reward the most effective teachers.

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Michelle Rhee Addresses House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida House of Representatives K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Erik Fresen (R-Miami), today welcomed Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the District of Columbia public school system and founder of StudentsFirst, to deliver testimony on teacher quality reform.

“I thank Ms. Rhee for sharing with us today her thoughts and experiences on teacher quality,” said Representative Bill Proctor (R-St. Augustine), chair of the House Education Committee. “Implementing teacher quality measures will certainly be a critical part of the discussion as the upcoming legislative session approaches, and I look forward to this ongoing conversation among teachers, parents, school administrators, education leaders and the public.”

“Florida has become a national leader in education reform, however it is critical to our state’s future that we continue to aggressively advocate for reforms so that every child has a quality teacher,” said Representative Fresen. “By taking the necessary steps to retain quality teachers in every Florida classroom we will undoubtedly continue to see increases in student achievement, close the achievement gap and prepare our state’s children for careers in the global marketplace.”

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Chiefs for Change Member, Indiana State Superintendent Tony Bennett, to Address Congressional Education Committee

Testifying on Reforms that will Improve Quality of Education in America

Washington D.C.- Tomorrow, Chiefs for Change member and Indiana State Superintendent Tony Bennett, will address the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN).

Superintendent Bennett will be participating in a hearing on “Education in the Nation: Examining the Challenges and Opportunities Facing America’s Classrooms.”

Education must be a national priority with local, state, and federal leaders working together to transform education for the 21st century. Billions of dollars each year are dedicated to education, yet America’s standing in the quality of education worldwide has declined. Even worse, American students are leaving school without the tools or knowledge to succeed in college or careers. This must change. The success of today’s students will determine our nation’s destiny.

Thursday, February 10, 2011
10:00 am U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
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For media inquiries regarding Chiefs for Change, please contact Jaryn Emhof, Press Secretary, at Jaryn@ExcelinEd.org or (850) 391-3072.

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The Foundation for Excellence in Education is igniting a movement of reform, state by state, to transform education for the 21st century economy. Chiefs for Change, one of the organization’s initiatives, is a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders that share a zeal for education reform. Together, they provide a strong voice for bold reform on the federal, state and local level.

Foundation for Florida’s Future: Former D.C. Chancellor Michelle Rhee to address Florida House and Senate Education Committees Teaching to the Top

Tallahassee, FL – Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of D.C. public schools and founder of StudentsFirst, will address the Florida House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee on Wednesday and Senate PreK-12 Education Committee on Thursday.

Studies show that teachers have a critical impact on their students’ academic success. If Florida wants to grow its economy, it must modernize the teaching profession to ensure an excellent teacher is in every classroom.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
3:00 – 6:00 pm House K – 20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
Webster Hall, House Office Building
Visit www.myfloridahouse.gov for an official meeting agenda

Thursday, February 10, 2011
1:00 – 6:00 pm Senate Education PreK – 12 Committee
412 Knott Building
Visit www.flsenate.gov for an official meeting agenda

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Michelle Rhee, Founder of StudentsFirst, to Address House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee

Tallahassee, Fla. – Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the District of Columbia public schools system and founder of StudentsFirst, will address the House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Erik Fresen (R-Miami), on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“Michelle Rhee is a nationally recognized figure,” said Representative Bill Proctor, Chairman of the House Education Committee. “And as we work to address teacher quality in the upcoming legislative session, we look forward to hearing what her experiences have taught her as it relates to children benefiting from having high performance teachers in the classroom.”

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Florida First Lady Announces Winners of Celebrate Literacy Week Public Service Announcement Contest

~ Students honored for their work to promote the importance of literacy throughout life ~

TALLAHASSEE – The winners of the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! statewide public service announcement (PSA) contest were announced today by Florida First Lady Ann Scott. The announcement was made at the Capitol in Tallahassee as part of a week-long celebration that highlights the importance of literacy and reading in our everyday lives. Joining Mrs. Scott were Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons, and Stu Greenberg, Executive Director of the Department of Education’s Just Read, Florida! office.

“I’m proud to celebrate literacy this week. I love to read, and I’m excited that children across the state are discovering the same passion for reading,” First Lady Ann Scott said. “I hope everyone takes a moment this week to pick up a good book.”

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Simon Malls in Florida Promote Literacy at “Book Blast” Events in Collaboration with the Florida Department of Education

Seven Florida malls to host FREE family events and launch book drive

MIAMI, FL (January 19, 2011) — Reading is the most powerful skill a child can learn, as it influences success in school and improves the overall quality of life. That’s why seven leading malls across the state of Florida, owned by Simon Property Group, will promote the importance of reading and collect new and gently-used books at each mall’s “Kidgits Book Blast” event that will take place on the following dates:

Coral Square (Coral Springs): Saturday, March 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Dadeland Mall (Miami): Friday, February 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Melbourne Square (Melbourne): Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon
Miami International Mall (Miami): Saturday, March 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Seminole Towne Center (Sanford): Saturday, March 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Falls (Miami): Saturday, February 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tyrone Square (St. Petersburg): Saturday, March 5 from noon to 2 p.m.

Simon Kidgits Club’s “Book Blast” events welcome children of all ages to celebrate the joys of reading. Engaging activities and giveaways will bring to life children’s stories and help celebrate books and the importance of reading. In addition, select book blast events will also feature the Florida Department of Education’s “Find a Book, Florida,” tool, created by MetaMetrics, that will help attendees locate new and intriguing books tailored to their own reading interests based upon the attendee’s reading ability.

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