Teacher quality initiatives could be big part of Florida's Race to the Top application

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Florida has two months before it submits its Race to the Top application. But if this presentation to the state Board of Education yesterday is any indication, a whole bunch of teacher quality initiatives are being looked at by the Florida Department of Education. Among them: Finding ways to put more high-performing teachers into low-performing schools. Using student test scores to gauge the effectiveness of colleges of education. Coming up with better ways to evaluate teachers. And linking student data to professional development.

Who knows what form the application will finally take? And who knows whether Florida will win one of the grants? But if the $350-$700 million figures being thrown around are real, and if Florida is in as good a position to get the money as some suggest, Florida teachers could be seeing some big changes, soon.

UPDATE: Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith is feeling pretty good about Florida's chances.

Posted by Ron Matus at 1:43:49 pm on November 12, 2009 in

| Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

UF opens another hazing investigation February 16

Florida education news: YouTube, salary cuts, graduation rates and more February 16

Florida charter school funding bill worries bond rating agency February 15

Graduation rates in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco plummet under new formula February 15

A shot across the bow in Pasco's superintendent race February 15

What not to wear: the teacher edition February 15

USF Poly drama heating up as Senate budget committee gets underway February 15

Florida education news: USF funding battle, FCAT, charter schools and more February 15

Principals are named at Freedom High, Mann Middle February 14

Charter schools funding measure fails in House committee February 14

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

Meet the team

THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.