Archive for Blog Posts

FL-DOE: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry EOCs will NOT count for 2014-2015 school year

Posted on May 19th, 2015 by

FL-DOE: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry EOCs will NOT count for 2014-2015 school year

HB 7069 TA Memo 5-18-15Today the Florida Department of Education released an important memorandum entitled; ‘Preliminary Technical Assistance on House Bill 7069’, where FL-DOE states; “For the 2014-2015 school year only, because of the unavailability of independently verified statewide assessment results in Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, the statutory requirements to include these results in the final course grade are inoperative. As a result, school districts should calculate final course grades and make promotion decisions without regard to the 30 percent requirement that typically applies.”

I am most pleased that Florida Educational Commissioner Pam Stewart and her team understood what students’ and school districts’ have been facing due to the numerous state assessment issues that Florida has struggled with this school year.

While I am relieved for our students regarding these End of Course Exams (EOCs), many other State Assessments will still be used for determining students’ grades, course requirements, and/or graduation requirements.

Further, I am greatly concerned that neither HB 7069 nor any other action today has relieved districts from the requirements of using these same State Assessments for determining teacher/administrators evaluations or school grades. We still need either the Governor or FL-DOE to suspend the use of these assessments for any performance pay requirements for teachers and administrators, as well as suspend the use of these assessments for school accountability/school grade for the 2014 – 2015 school year.

To read the entire ‘Preliminary Technical Assistance on House Bill 7069’ memorandum, follow this link: https://thomastalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/HB-7069-TA-Memo-5-18-15.pdf

Comments Off on FL-DOE: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry EOCs will NOT count for 2014-2015 school year
Filed under: Blog Posts

CREST’s New “Four legged” Staff Member

Posted on October 17th, 2012 by

CREST’s Newest “Four legged” Staff Member

Today while on my visit to CREST school I had the opportunity to meet CREST’s newest four legged staff member, Tommy Lee.  Tommy Lee is a Facility Canine who was trained by the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Southeast Region in Orlando.  He works everyday with students at CREST and helps engage students in their classes.

Tommy Lee’s colleague and handler is Callie Haynes, Teacher On Special Assignment at CREST.  Ms. Haynes shared how students will often work hard all day just to spend a few minutes with Mr. Lee.

CCI Facility Canines are expertly trained dogs who partner with a facilitator working in health care.  Facility Canines are trustworthy in professional environments and can perform over 40 commands designed to motivate and inspire students with special needs.

Tommy Lee along with his colleague will be presenting at our October 23rd board workshop meeting.  Tune into the meeting to meet Tommy Lee and learn more about how he is assisting to help our students.

Comments Off on CREST’s New “Four legged” Staff Member
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates

« Previous Page