The proposed changes to our school grading system are not only necessary to continue on the path of intelligent reform, but they will help ensure that Florida is prepared to compete on a global level. Under our current school grading system, it is possible for a school to receive an ‘A’ grade when three out of four students cannot meet Florida’s grade-level standards for reading. This is unacceptable.

We need an education system for Florida that is exceptional, not merely acceptable. It is my goal to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be counted and to experience world-class public education. These proposed changes are the result of important discussion and contributions made by all stakeholder groups including superintendents, educators, and experts across the state. And this is not a week-old discussion. The Florida Department of Education has been discussing school grade changes with stakeholders since May 2011.

There has been a great deal of conversation about the proposed changes and I believe strongly that talking about the future of education in our state is healthy. In this instance, I think it is important to understand that much of the discussion is based on estimates, not concrete projections. We have created many school grade simulations using various scenarios to illustrate the potential impact of proposed changes. One simulation, for example, includes grading all schools that serve students with disabilities; however, we are reviewing alternative options for schools that serve only these students.

 I want to assure the citizens of Florida that I will consider all of the viable options as I review the valuable feedback received regarding the proposed state board rule changes to our school grading system. This feedback will be part of our healthy conversation as the State Board considers these proposals at their meeting on February 28, in Tallahassee.

Florida’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have changed significantly from the days when boys took wood shop and girls took home economics.  Today, there are more than 500,000 secondary and postsecondary students enrolled in diverse CTE programs across our state ranging from Multimedia Design to Robotics to Biomedical Sciences.

 CTE gives students a head start on college and careers in high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations organized in 18 different Career Clusters including programs in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts; A/V Technology and Communications; Business; Management and Administration’ Education and Training; Energy; Engineering and Technology Education; Finance; Government and Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Law; Public Safety, Corrections  and Security; Manufacturing;  Marketing; Sales and Service; Science, Technology, Engineering andMathematics (STEM); and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. 

 It is no secret that students completing both the academic requirements and a CTE program have the advantage of graduating from high school prepared for college and the workplace.  Additionally, research indicates that curriculum that shows how academic knowledge and skills are used in the world of work may motivate more students to persevere in the academic courses that prepare them for college and answer the question so many students ask: “When will I ever use this?”  In essence, CTE programs are the laboratory for algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry and other critical subject areas. 

 In addition, many CTE programs afford students the opportunity to earn specific industry certifications that document the student’s achievement of industry standards based on industry-created assessments. More than 100 industry certifications have statewide articulation agreements with Florida’s state colleges, which guarantee credit toward a related Associate in Science Degree. 

 CTE programs are available at secondary schools in all 67 school districts, all 28 colleges in The Florida College System, and at 46 technical centers within the state.  To learn about specific programs visit the DOE state website at: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/ or contact your local school system’s CTE Director http://data.fldoe.org/workforce/contacts/default.cfm?action=showList&ListID=8  or guidance department.

 Florida is one of the first states to implement strong accountability measures for its schools. Overlaying a federal accountability system atop what was already in place and working in our state has proven to be confusing for parents and stakeholders. 

The flexibility waiver will strengthen the state’s ability to tailor its program to meet Florida’s unique educational needs and better align state and federal accountability systems into one cohesive, easy-to-understand structure.

Aligning our resources with our needs will lead to continued performance improvement for all students throughout Florida as we work to increase standards and boost national and international competitiveness. It is important to note, that approval of our request is but one step in a process required to move forward with the flexibility waiver. 

Florida applied for an ESEA waiver in mid-November 2011 and the U.S. Department of Education requested additional information in December. The State Board of Education will take action related to components of the waiver at its February meeting.

 More information on the ESEA waiver request is available at http://www.fldoe.org/esea/.

Measuring a school’s ability to boost academic achievement helps ensure that we are providing a high-quality education for our students. Having the data available in an easy-to-use format allows parents, educators, and business and community leaders to view the information and make decisions about how they can be involved in education decisions in their local communities.

For the complete listing of school rankings, visit http://www.fldoe.org/Ranking/Schools/.

Also check out the commissioner’s radio interviews on FCAT 2.0 and End-of-Course Exams on WJCT and WFLA. 

More info can be found on our FCAT site.

What are your plans for the holiday break? Visiting with family, eating good food, playing games, and celebrating the holidays are on my list, but I also plan to curl up with a good book.

Days off from school and work are great times to read books by yourself and with your family. We have a great list of books for children on our Holiday Reading List. Do you see any of your favorites on there? What other holiday books do you enjoy reading?

Happy holidays!

Even as we continue to tighten our belts, there are many projects the Legislature always tries to approve. One of these areas includes persons with visual impairments.

I had the pleasure last week to visit the DOE Division of Blind Service’s Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library, and the Conklin Center for the Blind.

At the Center, I visited the Independent Living, Technology, Business Enterprise, and Orientation and Mobility classes. The students were engaged, accomplished, and driven to succeed not only personally, but also professionally. Many are well on their way to starting their own businesses and the majority are self-sufficient. 

I had heard much about the Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library and was excited to see the studio and live book recordings first-hand. The resources were expansive, with more than 2.4 million items in Braille and auto format. And the facility is well-used, providing services to almost 32,000 Floridians who cannot used standard print reading materials as a result of visual, physical or reading disability.

My last stop at the Conklin Center for the Blind, a facility that DOE’s Division of Blind Services works closely with, also made a positive impression on me. The Center provides services to visually impaired or blind Adults ages 18 and above. 

The trip strongly confirmed my support of DOE’s efforts to provide services to all Floridians. I was impressed by the valuable services they provide and will continue to support them through my work in the Legislature.

Have you or any of your friends or family members ever used any of these services and/or facilities?

Tomorrow the Higher Education Coordinating Council, which I am a member of, will meet to discuss the fifth draft of our recommendations to the legislature. In preparation for the meeting, I welcome your feedback in the comment section below, or feel free to contact me personally at betty.reed@myfloridahouse.gov.

You always hear a lot about how parents should be involved with their children’s education, but how do you measure the effectiveness of involvement?

Tired of sitting in formal, tense parent-teacher conferences, Ms. Donna Harla of Landmark Middle School in Duval County has figured out one way.

Through the Parent Collaboration Program she created, teachers designate 30 minutes every Friday for parents to stop by the classroom. The initiative avoids lengthy scheduling processes between parents, teachers and administrators and increases parents’ access to their child’s education, which allows relationships to build.

Since the initiation of the program in 2008, she has seen a 98 percent passing rate amongst her students.

This is just one of the many efforts going on around the state to increase the communication between parents and teachers. It is the little things – knowing what is going on at the schools, talking about homework policies and lesson plans, meeting other students and teachers in the school, becoming a familiar face – that break down communication barriers.

Does your student’s school have any parental involvement programs? Do you volunteer in your child’s class or attend events? How do you show your support for your student? Please feel free to share!