Latest FOR-PD News for 2009

For previous years News Click Here

FOR-PD Course Registration -- December 18, 2009
 Registration for the Spring 2010 FOR-PD course will be open from November 2, 2009 through December 18, 2009.
2009 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) -- November 09, 2009
 Sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), (www.usdla.org) the 2009 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) will be held November 9-13, 2009.
Florida Launches New Multimedia Web Site -- October 26, 2009
 The FL DOE recently launched its new iTunes U site, providing free multimedia content to schools, parents, administrators and teachers both in Florida and around the world.
National Day On Writing -- October 20, 2009
 October 20 is the National Day on Writing! A Web cast of the national event will air live from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, on Tuesday, October 20. You can also earn more about submitting your writing and about starting a gallery.
Teen Read Week 2009 -- October 18, 2009
 Teen Read Week 2009 will be celebrated Oct. 18-24! This year's theme is Read Beyond Reality @ your library, which encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it.
Join the Response to Intervention (RtI) discussion on the FOR-PD Literacy Blog! -- October 16, 2009
 We're discussing Response to Intervention (RtI) on our blog this semester. Come join in on the discussion.
Changes to FCAT Writing -- September 16, 2009
 The Department of Education has issued the following memorandum regarding the Changes to FCAT Writing.
Changes to FCAT for High School Graduation -- September 16, 2009
 The Department of Education has issued the following memorandum regarding the Changes to FCAT for High School Graduation.
Florida Department of Education/Macy’s Teacher of the Year 2010 -- September 16, 2009
 From the Florida Department of Education: Megan is known as a master of engaging students in learning. “I do whatever it takes-no matter how out of the ordinary!”
New High School Grading Formula Approved by State Board -- September 15, 2009
 The State Board of Education recently approved enhancements to Florida’s high school grading formula. Beginning this school year, the new formula will now include both Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) performance and new measures such as participation and performance on advanced coursework, graduation rates and the college and career readiness of students.
Race to the Top Web Site Launched -- August 24, 2009
 The Department of Education has established a new Web site for school districts and others to provide innovative ideas for consideration in Florida’s Race to the Top application.
Florida’s Chancellor of Public Schools Recognized -- August 24, 2009
 Dr. Frances Haithcock, the Florida Department of Education Public Schools Chancellor, was awarded the Presidential Medallion Award for her invaluable service to public education earlier this month by Florida Atlantic University president Frank Brogan.
New Online Resource Available for Teachers -- August 24, 2009
 New online digital learning platform containing free grade-specific K-12 lesson plans, interactive educational games and activities, videos and other materials is now available through a grant from the Verizon Foundation for Florida teachers.
Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Readiness Checklist -- August 14, 2009
 The Department of Education has issued this memorandum regarding the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Readiness Checklist.
To Impressive Success, Fairfax Teacher Nurtures Enrollment, Proficiency in IB Math Classes -- August 03, 2009
 Virginia math teacher focuses on pushing students to excel.
FOR-PD Content Chat: Matching Texts to Readers K-12 -- July 22, 2009
 View the recording from our latest content chat held on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement -- July 21, 2009
 Out-of-school time programs can enhance academic achievement by helping students learn outside the classroom.
Highly Qualified Requirements Under Differentiated Accountability For Title I And Non-Title I Schools -- July 17, 2009
 The Department of Education has issued the following memorandum regarding the Highly Qualified Requirements Under Differentiated Accountability For Title I And Non-Title I Schools
Black-White Achievement Gap Narrows on NAEP -- July 14, 2009
 Study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that the achievement gap between black and white students has narrowed in the past three decades, but the rate of closure varies greatly by region, grade level and subject.
Moving from Highly Qualifed to Highly Effective Teachers: Policy Briefing Highlights -- July 14, 2009
 Panelists at the ASCD policy briefing on Capitol Hill, "Moving from Highly Qualified to Highly Effective Teachers," agreed that teacher quality is critically important for student achievement and that sustained, deliberate, capacity-building professional development is a necessity for educator success.
Technology helped boost St. Lucie student achievement, study shows -- July 13, 2009
 A $20 million technology overhaul at schools in a Florida district paid off with gains in student achievement. A study showed that the St. Lucie County School District's use of technology -- including making classes more interactive and engaging -- helped the district make a full grade improvement in state tests.
How to Become More Tech Savvy This Summer -- July 10, 2009
 Educators should take a break from worrying about bringing technology to the classroom and consider learning how to use technology personally, writes an Edutopia commentator. He suggests 10 ways teachers can use technology to improve their lives and enrich their abilities.
Florida schools improve state grades -- June 18, 2009
 By Florida's measure, a record percentage of the state's public schools are doing grade-A work.
New Postings up at FOR-PD Literacy Blog! -- June 11, 2009
 Read our latest articles regarding comprehension instruction on the FOR-PD Literacy Blog.
Connect with FOR-PD -- June 01, 2009
 Have a Facebook profile? On Twitter? Connect with FOR-PD through various social media tools.
Gates Foundation: Teachers trump class size -- May 29, 2009
 After investing billions in U.S. education, the foundation's new CEO says better teachers, not smaller class sizes, are key.
New Audio Interview Posted - Dr. Timothy Shanahan -- May 21, 2009
 FOR-PD interviewed Timothy Shanahan in the field of literacy education and working with English Language Learners (ELLs).
Department of Education Releases 2009 Third Grade FCAT Results -- May 21, 2009
 The percent of Florida third-graders performing at or above grade level in math reached its highest point to date according to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) results released today.
Making the Grade? -- May 18, 2009
 Learn about the Ten Key Elements that every high school should have in place to ensure that all of its students are successful.
Language and Literacy Skills -- May 18, 2009
 The report, Investigating the Language and Literacy Skills Required for Independent Online Learning, provides findings on the levels of language and literacy proficiency necessary for adult learners to use the Internet for independent learning.
Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together: How Systematic Vocabulary Instruction and Expanded Learning Time Can Address the Literacy Gap -- May 18, 2009
 The powerful combination of systematic vocabulary instruction and expanded learning time has the potential to address the large and long-standing literacy gaps in U.S. public schools, particularly with low-income students and English language learners.
School technology and stimulus package -- May 15, 2009
 Technology experts are advising school officials to look closely at the new federal economic-stimulus package for indirect as well as direct sources of aid for technology projects.
America’s Competitiveness through High School Reform -- May 12, 2009
 On Tuesday, May 12, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing to examine how policies for addressing the high school dropout crisis and improving graduation rates can strengthen America’s economic competitiveness.
ESOL Training Delivered through Educator Preparation Institutes -- May 05, 2009
 EPIs holding state approval to offer professional development may seek approval to offer English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training in order to provide highly effective teachers to Florida’s schools.
Florida DOE Memo - Teacher Training Programs -- May 01, 2009
 Department of Education documents for the week of April 27 – May 1, 2009 regarding teacher training programs.
Report: Secondary schools must continue to teach reading skills! -- May 01, 2009
 Southern states must do more to encourage middle- and high-school students to improve their reading skills, a Southern Regional Education Board committee announced Friday. "...this needs to be the top priority, even if something else has to give," said David Spence, the board's president. "It's obvious that we get kids reading or decoding by grade 4 or 5...But in terms of higher-level reading, reading comprehension, we just don't do it."
Florida DOE Memo -- April 27, 2009
 The Department of Education issued the linked memorandum regarding the Public Reporting Requirements and Data Verification for the 2008-09 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) School Public Accountability Reports (SPARs).
F.A.C. ESOL Endorsement - Florida DOE Memo -- April 27, 2009
 At the March 17, 2009, meeting of the State Board of Education, an amendment for Rule 6A-4.0244, F.A.C., Specialization Requirements for the Endorsement in English to Speakers of Other Languages- Academic Class was approved.
Governor Crist Unveils New Reading Technology -- April 27, 2009
 Governor Charlie Crist joined Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith and President of AT&T in Florida Marshall Criser, III, at Hartsfield Elementary in Tallahassee to unveil a new statewide reading assessment system aimed at bolstering the reading success of all Florida students. The new tool will allow teachers to quickly identify students’ reading strengths and weaknesses using web-based technology. To learn more, visit http://www.fldoe.org/news/2009/2009_04_27-2.asp.
Reading Endorsement Competencies Completed in Approved Preservice Programs - Florida DOE Memom -- April 27, 2009
 This memorandum is to provide new information, as well as some reminders, regarding Reading Endorsement competencies that may be included in approved preservice teacher preparation programs.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Stimulus -- April 24, 2009
 Education Secretary Arne Duncan has some suggestions for how schools can spend their windfall from the economic stimulus law that, where they have been tried, have shown they can help kids learn.
Florida DOE Memo -- April 13, 2009
 Just Read, Florida! 2009 Summer Professional Development
UCF College of Education's 11th Annual Literacy Symposium - Presentation by Douglas Hartman -- April 03, 2009
 Preparing a New Generation of Teachers and Students for the New Literacies of the Internet - Douglas K. Hartman, Paul Mark Morsink, Jinjie Zheng, Michigan State University
Florida DOE Memo -- March 30, 2009
 Senate Bill 1908: High School Reading for College Success--Placement and Exit Requirements
Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading -- March 24, 2009
 In August, 2009, the Florida Department of Education will make new Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading available to K- 12 public schools free of charge. Developed by the Florida Center for Reading Research in collaboration with Just Read, Florida!, this new assessment system will provide teachers screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring information that is essential to guiding instruction.
Florida Response to Intervention (RtI) -- March 24, 2009
 The Florida Response to Intervention (RtI) website provides a central, comprehensive location for Florida-specific information and resources that promote schoolwide practices to ensure highest possible student achievement in both academic and behavioral pursuits.
Secretary Duncan discusses the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- March 23, 2009
 On March 23, The Dallas News published an article by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The Secretary explains how funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and in the President's budget can be used to bring about reforms to ensure that all children receive a quality education.