FOR-PD Update

May 2004

Latest FOR-PD Numbers

6689 students
330 sections
64 participating districts
5 participating universities

Still Time to Register for FOR-PD Summer 2004

Open Enrollment for Summer 2004 is still open for the second 7 week course starting on June 28.

PLEASE NOTE: This 7-week session is NOT an abbreviated or less intensive session. During this accelerated 7-week session, participants will be expected to complete two lessons per week as opposed to the customary one lesson per week expected in our standard 14-week session.

Online registration is available on our website at: http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/register/register.html.

Participants should check with their districts regarding the district's procedure for reporting in-service points. Most districts require participants to turn in a copy of their final grades or a certificate of completion (some also require an Individual In-service Form) to process in-service points. Please help us by advising participants of the requirements in your district. We do not automatically issue a certificate of completion to every participant. If participants need or would like a certificate of completion, they can request that one be emailed, faxed, or mailed to them from their facilitator or our office.

Message to Florida Teachers from K-12 Chancellor Jim Warford

The Florida Department of Education worked continuously during the recent legislative session to represent teachers in our state. We firmly believe that the initiatives we supported will improve conditions for teachers and the achievement of the students they serve. Here's a quick look at new legislation with a direct impact on teachers:

Over $1 billion of new money has been allotted for K-12 schools, although $500 million of it must be used to meet class size requirements. With this new money, we will spend well over a billion dollars on class size this year.
Protection was secured for teacher social security numbers when commercial public records requests are made to the DOE.
A completely online certification application will be available through electronic authentication and signature.
New teachers will receive much needed professional support through mentoring and support programs based upon best practices in the field.
Teacher toolkits of classroom resources for the Sunshine State Standards will be available to teachers online, 24-7.
Certified staff can bank reading courses and in-service points for future certificate renewals.
Substitute teachers will receive training in school safety and security, educational liability laws, professional responsibilities, and ethics.
Competency-based alternative certification programs for bachelor's degree holders will be offered through colleges of education and community colleges.
Almost half of all Florida middle schools will receive reading coaches.
Accelerated graduation options were strengthened.
The beginning date for implementation of the BEST Teaching Salary Career Ladder has been pushed back to the 2005-06 school year.

For more information on these and other education legislative initiatives, please contact Dr. Kim McDougal, K-12 Deputy Chancellor for Policy Development, at (850) 245-5095.

Focus on Reading is Paying Off

Recently, Governor Jeb Bush announced the results of the 2004 FCAT, stating that "This year's scores show a continued trend of rising student achievement in both reading and math, and prove that our education reforms are yielding results among Florida's students. Our focus on reading is paying off: this year 68 percent of Florida's 3rd and 4th grade students read at or above grade level compared to just 55 percent in 2001. I applaud Florida's teachers for their tireless work in preparing our children for success in school and success in life."

For more information on the Governor's message see http://www.myflorida.com/myflorida/government/otherinfo/in_the_news.html

FOR-PD's Reading Strategy of the Month

This month we are highlighting the Anticipation Guide reading strategy. The Anticipation Guide is a detailed activity that uses prediction in order to make a connection to comprehension. Normally used with small group or individual instruction, Anticipation Guides are a variation of a study guide and are designed to enhance comprehension by encouraging students to make predictions about concepts to be covered in the text.

Anticipation Guides can be used in any subject area when students have some background and preconceived notions relating to the concepts to be presented. Statements are created which support and contrast author ideas with student belief systems. The purpose of the guide is to prepare students to read with specific purposes.

To download sample FOR-PD Anticipation Guides for Stellaluna - elementary (PDF: 252k) and Night - secondary (PDF: 256k) or for more informative links on the Anticipation Guide reading strategy, visit our website at http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/strategies/

Summer Reading Endorsement Professional Development Opportunities

The "Just Read, Florida!" Office at the Department of Education is funding the Reading Endorsement Professional Development Program at Florida State University's (FSU) College of Education to provide additional no-cost professional development opportunities in reading for grades 6-12 secondary educators.

Additional information may be viewed at:
http://info.fldoe.org/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-1966/summereadinge.pdf.

FOR-PD Notable Quotables

Alex Harris (Dade County) writes:

"I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the FOR-PD course. The extensive resources provided are a trove of valuable information and practices that I will use and review in my teaching profession.

"Among the noteworthy aspects of this course were the video clips of Dr. Kylene Beers and her explanations of different comprehension strategies. I use the methods in her book, When Kids Can't Read, and viewing her video clips provided valuable reinforcement. My department adopted the Elements of Literature (Holt, Kindhearted and Winston) which incorporates Dr. Beers's comprehension strategies."

Barbara Poole (Volusia County) shares her feelings:

"Facilitating this course has been a wonderful professional growth experience for me!"

Fran Durrenberger (Seminole County) shares the following on the 6 Thinking Hats strategy:

"Just wanted to let you know that one of my current students was so impressed with the 6 hats strategy that she emailed the website to her husband. He is planning to use this strategy in planning projects in his place of business. Thinking skills are thinking skills, but it is so hard sometimes for children AND adults to apply something learned in one place to other 'places'. I am glad to see it is happening in one family, at least."

Do you have comments or news you'd like to share with us about the FOR-PD project or course? Please send them to us at forpd@mail.ucf.edu