District Administration - May 2006 - (Page 24)

Update Florida Students Declare a Major ome time this month, Florida S Gov. Jeb Bush is expected to sign into law his A++ Plan for Educa- t ion aimed at the state's middle and high schools. While his A+ bill established the groundwork for public school reform and accountability in 1999, this new plan introduces measures that encour- age students to continue the academic gains achieved in elementary school. One component requires high school students to declare a major, starting with the freshman class of 2007. To graduate, students must complete 14 credits in core courses, such as English MAJOR REFORM Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at Blake High School in Tampa where beginning or math, another six credits in electives with the class of 2007 students will have to declare a major. and four more credits in their major. school graduation rate and conversely, It offers multiple advantages, Florida schools may be unable to offer decrease the drop out rate. explains Cheri Pierson Yecke, Florida's the depth of curriculum students need To evaluate the plan's impact, Pier- K-12 public school chancellor. We or budget sufficient resources toward son Yecke says the progress of the first want to ensure that we hook the kids professional development to help freshman class will be tracked and in an area of their passion so that they teachers create new courses, says Liz measured. She hopes it will encourage will want to stay in school, she says. Pape, president and CEO at Virtual other states to follow. It's looked at as a way to make school High School in Maynard, Mass. Not everyone is convinced. Some relevant for kids, increase the high Carol Patton STUDY: Charter Schools Deliver ha r ter schools are serving more at-risk children C and doing so with less money than typical public schools and at the same time increasing achievement among students, according Linking Pay to Tests to a report by the Center on Florida is joining other districts' plans to tie teacher raises Education Reform. T he Annual Survey of and bonuses directly to students' standardized test scores Charter Schools shows that beginning next year. charter schools are serving It marks the first time a state has so closely linked more minorities and those wages to student exam results. The program comes with receiving free and reduced mixed reviews as teacher unions and some education price lunches. The growth experts say schools are not factories and output is not so can be attributed to mul- easily measured, according to The Washington Post. t iple curriculum choices, smaller class sizes and more instructional time, the report claims. w w w.edre f orm.com 24 May 2006 District Administration DA_506_Update.w.indd 24 4/14/06 10:48:47 AM http://www.edreform.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - May 2006

Contents
Editor's Letter
Listening In
Update
Inside the Law
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Sports & Civics
Q&A: Lessons for Tomorrow
Cover Story: Special Ed's Greatest Challenges and Solutions
Dome Sweet Dome
Smart Design
Rotten Apples
The Online Edge
Speaking Out
Principal Opinion
Public Opinion
Problem/Solution
Leadership Books
Laptop Roundup
New Products
By the Numbers

District Administration - May 2006