01/27/13Five Takeaways on Florida's Switch to New Academic Standards
National Public Radio (NPR) (01/24/13) O'Connor, John
Florida education officials recently discussed the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at a panel hosted by St. Petersburg College. The discussion touched on how the CCSS will enable better comparisons among states, though states will implement the new standards differently, and the ways in which the CCSS will incorporate technology into the classroom. Students must know how to use computers or tablets, as they will be used to take tests. Pam Stewart from the Florida Department of Education said, "It's going to have to be infused in everyday instruction." As a result, the department is seeking $441.8 million in funding to help schools upgrade their computer networks and infrastructure. Panelists also acknowledged how quickly the standards are ushering in change. "In my years of public education there's not been as much change as in the last year and a half," Stewart said. "But it's also the most exciting change that I can think of happening."
