Florida’s educational standards state what K-12 students should learn and be able to do in different subjects, including mathematics and science. Currently, the Florida Department of Education is overseeing revision of the mathematics and science standards with workgroups of Florida teachers, district staff and university faculty. Florida’s existing standards have been criticized for their breadth of coverage at the expense of deeper student learning of essential concepts. Revision of the standards is a critical first step in improving student learning, because they drive curriculum and instruction, textbook content, as well as assessments of student learning, including the FCAT. FCR-STEM has assisted in this effort through the following activities:
Math standards
- Review proposed mathematics standards, drafted by the mathematics writers group, before they are finalized and subsequently approved by the Florida Board of Education in June 2007.
Science standards
- Research standards and curriculum in the top-performing states and nations that have been successful in focusing their science standards for greater impact.
- Participate in the standards revision process led by the Florida Department of Education from Spring to December 2007.
Use of revised standards
- Recommend ways to maximize educators’ use of the revised math and science standards. These recommendations will be based on input from Florida teachers and district staff.
- Develop a standards database that school districts can use to build courses and increase the rigor of their curricula.
- Assist the Office of Math & Science in the design and dissemination of regional workshops for understanding and implementing the new mathematics standards.
