Florida and the Islands Regional Comprehensive Center

Current Projects

Florida — Lesson Study

In the Fall of 2009, FLICC — in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education — designed and delivered a series of institutes across the State of Florida focusing on lesson study. The idea was to take Professional Learning Communities to the next level by having regional personnel, district staff, and teachers trained in the art of lesson study.

Lesson study is a potent embedded peer-to-peer professional learning strategy. It requires teachers and other educators to work collaboratively to strengthen a given lesson until it has been refined as much as possible and then teach it to get powerful data about how well the lesson works. In a colloquium after the lesson is taught, the teacher (who can be anyone in the lesson study group) reflects on the lesson first, and then the other members of the lesson study group share data they collected during the lesson. Lesson study groups make a decision about whether to revise the field-tested lesson and teach it again or simply apply what they have learned to another lesson.

In addition to understanding the basics of lesson study and engaging in three lesson study experiences, participants learned about lesson study variations. They also planned the implementation of lesson study in their regions, districts, and schools, and how they will work together to solve problems related to implementation.

Materials from the Institutes:

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Puerto Rico — Information and Technology (I&T)

The primary objective of this support package is to develop the PRDEs' capacity to deliver timely and accurate accountability data required by the Compliance Agreement and Memorandum of Agreement between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Department of Education. The secondary objective is to assist the PRDE as they migrate from data collection systems that are primarily paper-based to a new suite of automated systems for Student Management, Finance and Decision-making.

Support focuses on developing core skills in systems governance, data collection and quality management, submitting EDEN and CSPR transactions and, ultimately, using the data in these systems to improve program management and strengthen overall decision-making.

SY 2008-2009 addressed validating data sources, creating the standard submission formats, coordinating with the EDFacts data management team, identifying and correcting systemic errors and identifying gaps in program management procedures.

For SY 2009-2010 the project will assist with migrating data sourcing from paper to the newly implemented systems, defining data quality accountability processes, and controls for system usage and governance. In addition, a number of the schools that are early adopters will participate in training in data analysis using data from the Student Information System to manage programs and immediate school issues.

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Florida — Secondary School Redesign Initiative (SSRI)

The Secondary School Redesign Initiative (SSRI) was created to assist the Florida Department of Education in implementing the Secondary School Redesign Act passed by the Florida legislature in 2006. This legislation effectively shaped the state’s vision for a research-based framework for the redesign of secondary schools. Such an effort requires an intensive system of statewide support. To meet this need, the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC) partnered with the David C. Anchin Center at the University of South Florida, the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) and the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) to construct a model for such a support system.

Through the collaborating partners, participating schools and districts were offered ongoing site-based coaching, professional development institutes, and networking and sharing opportunities. Schools broadened the examination of their data through the Learning Criteria, designed more rigorous and relevant lessons, and deepened relationships with students and among faculty.

SSRI has focused on building human, structural, organizational and material capacity. Training in critical components of secondary redesign and the development of Professional Learning Communities built capacity at the school and district levels. State capacity has been increased through the cadre of trained coaches, the networking and sharing among the project schools about successful initiatives, and the whitepapers, tools and resources developed during the project. In 2009-10, districts are aligning their resources and refining their initiatives. Cohesive district plans that will sustain the work are being developed. SSRI partners and coaches are proud of the progress of the schools and districts willing to share what they have learned with colleagues across the state of Florida seeking to engage in redesign.

SSRI 2008-2009 Materials

Newsletters

2009 School Showcase Presentations

Explore resources from past SSRI institutes.

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Florida — Middle School Science Initiative (MSSI)

MSSI helps districts implement Florida's new science standards, with special emphasis on seventh- grade science. MSSI is co-sponsored by the Florida Department of Education's (FLDOE) Office of Math and Science and the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC). In a series of institutes, designed as train-the-trainer modules for districts, MSSI is helping Florida roll out the new science standards and new techniques to improve classroom instruction. The first year, MSSI sponsored regional institutes to build rigor and relevance in the science classroom. The regional institute series for 2009-2010, MSSI’s second year, will leverage FLDOE's efforts to implement lesson study and Response to Intervention methodologies statewide to build the capacity of FLDOE’s Regional Assistance Centers, districts and schools. Thereby, MSSI is continuing to improve student achievement in science across the state for a second year.

MSSI 2008-2009 Materials

Additional Resources

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Florida — Middle School Mathematics Initiative (MSMI)

The MSMI helped districts implement the new requirements set forth in Florida's A++ legislation, with special emphasis on sixth-grade mathematics. Completed in the Spring of 2008, the MSMI was sponsored by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the International Center for Leadership in Education (ESCORT), the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC) and the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics (FCTM).

Explore resources from past MSMI institutes.

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Florida — Secondary School Technical Assistance (SSTA)

FLICC is assisting the FLDOE with bolstering the support for secondary schools. This year, we are facilitating the school and district improvement process by promoting an academic major initiative (called Major Area of Interest or MAI) and assisting in technical assistance visits for middle and high schools. For MAI, FLICC and the FLDOE we are developing a series of podcasts to help students and parents understand the importance of choosing a high school major. For the technical assistance visits, FLICC is working with the FLDOE and the Southern Regional Education Board in implementing the Making Middle Grades Work and High Schools That Work programs across the State.

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Statewide System of Support (SSOS)

The Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC) has been assisting the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) in building capacity at all levels of the organization to support schools in improvement via a comprehensive, aligned, articulated statewide system of support. FLICC is collaborating with the Comprehensive Center for Innovation and Improvement (CCII) in these efforts to develop an Operational Manual to guide the work of the SSOS.

Beginning with conducting a needs assessment at the state, regional and district levels and reviewing existing SSOS models and services, a comprehensive plan has been developed that outlines the structure, personnel, resources and processes to be implemented by the SSOS (USATAD). A Steering Committee representative of all major departments at the PRDE, as well as regional, district and school administrators, university and community representatives meets regularly to guide and oversee the work of the SSOS, analyzing data about school improvement efforts and support being provided by the SSOS, and recommending research-based strategies and models. To facilitate this process, FLICC meets monthly with representatives from the SEA SSOS and Steering Committee to collaborate on the redesign and overall operation of Puerto Rico's SSOS (USATAD). FLICC will collaborate with the SEA to provide training and support to District School Support Teams based on the Operational Manual and other research based materials.

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