Commissioner Pam Stewart Announces Two Key Education Initiatives
Monday, December 22, 2014
DOE Press Office
850-245-0413
Commissioner Pam Stewart Announces Two Key Education Initiatives
~ DOE commences investigation of standardized testing, seeks Floridians for Keep Florida Learning Committee ~
Tallahassee, Fla., December 22, 2014 – Commissioner Pam Stewart today announced an investigation of standardized testing in Florida public schools and issued a call for Floridians to serve on the newly established Keep Florida Learning Committee.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said, “At the Department of Education, we are committed to ensuring our education system has appropriate policies and procedures in place to help Florida’s students excel. I am proud to lead these efforts, which I am confident will help us better understand students’ needs so we can better prepare them for college and careers.”
Commissioner of Education’s Review of Standardized Testing
Commissioner Stewart will work closely with districts to gather complete and accurate information on the tests being administered to meet federal, state and local requirements. Department staff will compile the information and analyze the data.
Findings will provide policy makers, district administrators, parents and teachers with information about the number of standardized tests and how each of the test results are used by the state, school boards and teachers. A primary purpose of the report is to increase transparency for parents about the use of standardized testing in Florida’s public schools.
Commissioner of Education Establishes Keep Florida Learning Committee
The Keep Florida Learning Committee will review further deregulation opportunities for the school system; review instructional material review processes used by school boards; identify strategies to increase parental involvement; and review the implementation of the Florida Standards and the Florida Standards Assessment over the next year.
Beginning today, all Floridians interested in serving on the committee are encouraged to submit an online application to the DOE. To apply, visit http://www.fldoe.org/about-us/fsacommittee.stml. Interested Floridians have until January 31, 2015 to submit their application. The first meeting will be an organizational conference call and will take place in March. Committee members will be announced in February.
The committee will be comprised of 11 members, including the Commissioner of Education, legislators, teachers, superintendents, school board members, higher education representatives, and members of the public.
For a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Keep Florida Learning Committee visit http://www.fldoe.org/about-us/KFL-FAQ.stml.
Read More News...