Monthly Archives: November 2009

Crist on more advanced math and science: “No thank you Ma’am, I’m just fine” (He was in fourth grade)

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

With hat tips to the Palm Beach Post and Jeff Solochek at the St. Petersburg Times blog Gradebook: In early November, Dr. June Clarke abruptly retired from the Palm Beach County school system, where she had taught for the last … Continue reading →

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Washington State Education Chief Tries to Put Brakes on New Requirements for High School Math and Science

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

In a development that offers an intriguing contrast with the situation in Florida, the superintendent of Washington State’s public schools, Randy Dorn, is arguing for a delay in the implementation of the state’s tough new graduation requirements in math and … Continue reading →

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National “Spokesperson” for Science Education: Elmo

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Last week’s New York Times’ article on the President’s science education initiative featured a photo of Elmo, who is credited with being one of the two primary “spokespersons” for the White House science education initiative.  The other primary spokesperson?  Of … Continue reading →

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Budget Worries Gut Science Testing: Orlando Sentinel Report

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Paul Cottle

The Orlando Sentinel’s Leslie Postal reports in today’s paper that Florida’s high school end-of-course testing program will be limited to Algebra 1 and 2, biology, and US History because of budget issues.  The biology end-of-course test will be field-tested in … Continue reading →

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Guest Post: Paul Ruscher, “Why Earth Science Matters”

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Paul Cottle

“Bridge to Tomorrow” welcomes Dr. Paul Ruscher as a guest blogger today.   Dr. Ruscher is Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Meteorology at Florida State University, and a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society.  He was also … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Bright Futures Scholarships, Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Relationships, Policy-Making and Thanksgiving

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Dear Readers, Thank you for taking the time to consider what Holly and I have had to say on educational issues during these last weeks.  In particular, the response to my posts on Todd Clark’s brave comments has been gratifying … Continue reading →

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Florida Policy-Makers Say: “Last in the Nation for Science? So What?”

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Given the courageously candid comments (“Florida students are pretty much last in the nation for science”) delivered last week by Florida Department of Education Curriculum and Instruction Bureau Chief Todd Clark, it’s worth a look at what the state’s policy-makers … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards, U.S. Department of Education | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Florida DOE Reverses on End-of-Course Tests, Takes Another Giant Step Backward

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Hard on the heels of the release of FDOE Bureau Chief Todd Clark’s statement yesterday that Florida is “pretty much last in the nation for science”, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Kris Ellington said in an article published today on the Orlando … Continue reading →

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FDOE Bureau Chief Documents His Claim That “Florida students are pretty much last in the nation for science”

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Leslie Postal from the Orlando Sentinel blog School Zone has posted the power point presentation delivered to the Florida Organization for Instructional Leadership (FOIL) by FDOE Bureau Chief for Curriculum and Instruction Todd Clark.  The presentation, titled “State of the … Continue reading →

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Florida Education Commissioner Smith Responds to Lawsuit

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Ron Matus at the St. Petersburg Times blog Gradebook reports that Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith has issued a statement in response to a lawsuit filed this morning.  The lawsuit alleges that the state is not meeting its constitutional … Continue reading →

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