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January 2007 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

January is all about hearing from you and sharing your thoughts. From online surveys to regional discussion groups, teacher focus groups, and the new "Teacher Talk" television program, I've got you covered!

New!

  • Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education

    Be sure to join me on the new series devoted to public education in Florida, "Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education." This new monthly show is produced by the Florida Education Channel in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education. Each month, the show will feature a "Teacher Spotlight" segment, which focuses on Florida teachers and their innovations both in and out of the classroom. Viewers will have the opportunity to learn about what Florida schools and school districts have to offer teachers and students alike. The program will also highlight outstanding resources for teachers, parents, and students. Additionally, the "Best Practices Spotlight" will focus on the best practices of teachers in various subject areas throughout Florida's education system. From time to time, Teacher Talk will feature discussions on hot topics in education, as well as legislative changes affecting the K-12 education system. "Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education" is set to debut on the Florida Education Channel, February 8, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The show will be aired several times per week throughout the month. Currently, the Florida Education Channel is available 24 hours per day via the Internet as well as on DISH Network, channel 9418. Can't catch it there? You can also see it on the Florida Knowledge Network and it will be available to districts via ITV.

  • Be Featured on Teacher Talk!

    Are you an innovative educator who would like to share your creative way of teaching or other educated-related accomplishments with colleagues and parents around the state? Does your district offer amazing programs for students and/or teachers? Do you have a colleague who should be featured for his/her innovations in education? If so, please visit: http://www.fldoe.org/JustForTeachers for the online "Teacher Talk" television show contact form!

  • New Web Page: Answering Your Questions about Special Teachers Are Rewarded (STAR)

    In recent months, I have received many questions from colleagues regarding how the STAR program will work. Because it is important that educators fully understand all of the components of the STAR program, I have added a page on the "Just for Teachers" website devoted to answering "Frequently Asked Questions" of Florida educators, as well as providing details about the program and links to current State Board approved district STAR plans. To learn about how this program works, as well as about the legislation behind it, please visit: http://www.fldoe.org/JustForTeachers

  • New Survey: Teacher Experiences Survey

    The Department of Education would like you to share your experiences as an educator in Florida. Today, more than ever, the education landscape is a diverse one. Every educator has a unique point of view with unique experiences to share. Sharing your thoughts directly with the Department of Education is the most efficient way for the voices of individual educators to be heard. Your feedback is very important in helping the department shape current and future programs to fit the needs of Florida educators. Results will be released in an upcoming newsletter.

  • Regional Discussion Boards on Hot Topics in Education: They're here!

    As mentioned in the October/November newsletter, the six upcoming regional discussion groups are a way for educators from a shared region in Florida to discuss issues of importance, as well as share their thoughts with those who help shape educational policy in Florida. In order to increase the chances of effective discussions, each regional discussion group will be limited to a maximum of 20 members, with a primary goal of at least one educator from each district participating in the group for that region. As much as possible, each regional group will be reflective of the population of that region and will be diverse in areas of educational certification. If you would like to participate, please complete the online application located at: http://www.fldoe.org/JustForTeachers

  • New Survey: Help Reshape the DOE Website

    Do you frequently utilize the Department of Education's main web site (www.fldoe.org)? If you do and would like to give your input in reshaping the site to be more useful for parents, educators, and students, please take the short survey available on the "Just for Teachers" web page.

Results of Recent Online Surveys

  • Teaching Tools Survey (PDF, )

    Recently, the Florida Department of Education made two voluntary online surveys available for teachers. The first survey, entitled Teaching Tools, was released late October 2006 and received feedback from 11,049 teachers (6.5%) in 69 districts (including special districts) around the state. The purpose of this survey was to assess teacher needs in the area of classroom technology and access to student performance data in an effort to provide teachers a statewide resource intended to meet the widely varied needs of all educators in all districts in Florida.

    Statewide survey results provide evidence that:

    • access to free web-based technological resources, transcending district lines and providing access to student data, instructional resources, collaboration resources and professional development is desired by Florida educators.
    • Florida educators would like access to such tools through one simple login.
    • currently, districts across Florida offer web-based technology tools to teachers, to varying degrees depending upon the resources of the district, however there is no one tool employed by any one district which fits the needs of all teachers in all districts across the state.
    • many educators are unaware that a state tool currently in development, Sunshine Connections, is intended to provide all of the aforementioned resources at no cost to districts.

    Complete results for this survey are available online.

  • Kindergarten Teacher Survey (PDF, )

    The second survey was released in late November 2006 by the Office of Early Learning. This survey targeted kindergarten teachers to assess their awareness of the Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) Education Program and its impact on the incoming kindergarten class of 2006-07. Of the 220,857 total four-year-olds in Florida, nearly half (49%) participated in the VPK program in 2005-06. Thirty percent (2,877) of the state's public school kindergarten teachers participated in the survey. The information collected in the survey will be used in collaborative efforts planned for the coming months to improve the transition of children from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten. General survey findings are as follows:

    • 72% of respondents have children in their current kindergarten classes who participated in VPK.
    • 70% of respondents indicated that children in their kindergarten students who attended VPK were more prepared to follow procedures due to having participated in VPK.
    • 71% of respondents indicated that children who attended VPK were better prepared to interact with other children than those who did not attend VPK.
      Survey results also indicate that 69% of respondents had not received VPK information from their school and/or district.

    Complete results for this survey can be found at: http://www.fldoe.org/JustForTeachers

  • Opportunities for Kindergarten Teachers

    Kindergarten Teachers interested in reviewing materials for the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener, please contact Martha Haynes, Office of Early Learning.

Money Saving Offers for Educators

  • Free Movie Tickets for Teachers!

    AMC and Paramount Pictures are offering teachers an exclusive opportunity to see the highly acclaimed film "FREEDOM WRITERS" for FREE.

    Dates: January 26 to February 1, 2007

    To receive one free ticket to see the film, teachers* must present a school-issued ID or pay stub and a valid photo ID.

    Passes to school teachers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last at participating theatres in the AMC system including: AMC Loews theatres, AMC Star theatres, AMC Magic Johnson theatres and AMC Cineplex Odeon theatres throughout the United States and Canada. Limit one pass per school teacher. Please arrive early.
    *Teachers for grades kindergarten through 12 are eligible for this offer.

  • Low Interest/Low Down Payment Home Loans for Teachers

    In addition to the numerous financial resources available on the "Just for Teachers" web page, I was recently made aware of a special program for teachers offered by Traditional Home Mortgage which offers home loans for 1% down for educators. This is not a program offered through or endorsed by the Department of Education, but I thought it was something that might be of interest to many of you in search of a home. The financial resources page also contains information about financial apartment assistance programs.

  • Free Pass to Universal Studios Orlando: Time is Running Out!!

    The last day to take advantage of this free admission offer for certified Florida educators is January 31, 2007. To date, more than 8,200 Florida educators have taken advantage of the free pass with an additional 13,000 friends and family members admitted for only $40 per ticket.

  • Free Resources for Teachers: Teaching Financial Responsibility to Students

    The Florida Council on Economic Education is dedicated to improving economic education and financial literacy for students of all ages and abilities throughout the state. The Council seeks to accomplish this mission by designing and offering teaching materials, endorsed by the Florida Department of Education, and economic education courses for teachers. Many of their resources are free and also available in Spanish. The council offers: small loans to PK-12 classes to establish a classroom based business, "Strive to Drive" teaching students what it takes to purchase a car, the "Stock Market Game", essay contests and more.

Did You Know?

According to the recent "Quality Counts" study completed by Education Week, Florida is just one of 45 states in the nation which uses a statewide test, custom designed to align with state standards. The report's "Evaluation of K-12 Achievement" revealed that Florida has made significant progress in improving student performance, ranking fourth in the nation. For more information on this national study completed by Education Week and to access the "Quality Counts 2007 Florida Fact Sheet."

Have a suggestion or question? E-mail me at: JustForTeachers@fldoe.org

See you in February!

Best Regards,
Nicole