Current Projects
- Puerto Rico — Improving Effectiveness and Accountability of Federal Programs
- Florida — Secondary School Redesign Initiative (SSRI)
- Florida — Middle School Science Initiative (MSSI)
- Florida — Middle School Mathematics Initiative (MSMI)
- Statewide System of Support (SSOS)
Puerto Rico — Improving Effectiveness and Accountability of Federal Programs
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 monitor and evaluate federal programs for compliance and program effectiveness. Through on-going collaboration with the PRDE Office of Federal Affairs, (OFA) Monitoring Unit, SEA program officers, and PRDE's Statewide System of Support office (USATAD), FLICC's efforts have been focused on improving PRDE's ability to comply with federal requirements and drive program improvement. This is done by assisting with the design of a comprehensive monitoring system that cascades from the SEA to Regional Monitoring Units, and ultimately to schools and sub-grantees.
FLICC's efforts include collaboration with all federal Program Officers to develop new monitoring instruments, working with OFA Monitoring Unit staff to develop a comprehensive monitoring plan and protocol, assisting in the development of administrative guidance from the SEA, creating a procedural manual outlining all processes, timelines, activities and expectations for all stakeholders related to the monitoring process, implementing a three-year monitoring cycle based on risk analysis, and training on the monitoring process for all levels of stakeholders. FLICC will continue to support the fortification of PRDE's monitoring activities through planning and articulation at the SEA level, collaboration on the design of training and other professional development for stakeholders at all levels, and review and revision to monitoring instruments, protocol and procedures as the processes become more defined.
Florida — Secondary School Redesign Initiative (SSRI)
Recognizing that secondary schools must be redesigned to address the changing expectations for graduates to become productive citizens in the 21st century, the Florida Legislature included the Secondary Redesign Act in the 2006 A++ legislation, effectively creating a framework for redesign based on the research. Such a redesign of secondary schools requires an intensive system of statewide support. To meet this need, the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC) proposed the SSRI assist the state and districts in the implementation of the Florida Secondary Redesign Act. Partners with FLICC in this project are the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA), the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) and the David C. Anchin Center at the University of South Florida.
Explore resources from past SSRI institutes.
Florida — Middle School Science Initiative (MSSI)
Set to begin in the fall of 2008, the MSSI will help districts implement the new requirements of Florida's new science standards, with special emphasis on seventh-grade science. The MSSI is sponsored by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the International Center for Leadership in Education, and the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC).
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.
Statewide System of Support (SSOS)
Also underway are the Statewide System of Support initiatives in Florida and Puerto Rico. These initiatives leverage resources for the states in order to improve the support for low-performing schools and districts.
In Florida, the Comprehensive Center will assist the FLDOE with redesigning a Statewide System of Support to facilitate the school and district improvement process. Beginning with reviewing the existing SSOS model and working with our partners — the Comprehensive Center for Innovation and Improvement (CCII), the Education Alliance at Brown University and the Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE) at Johns Hopkins University — a plan will be developed outlining the structure, personnel, resources and processes to be implemented by a revised SSOS. FLICC is also assisting the department in developing and distributing a CD to schools and districts about what the State of Florida offers to help schools in need of improvement.
In Puerto Rico, FLICC is collaborating with the Comprehensive Center for Innovation and Improvement (CCII) to assist the PRDE with redesigning their Statewide System of Support to facilitate the school improvement process. Beginning with conducting a needs assessment at the state, regional and district levels and reviewing existing SSOS models and services, a comprehensive plan is being 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).
