1. Florida’s Sunshine State Standards Matthew C. Robinson, Summer B 2006

2. The SSS The SSS were approved by the State Board of Education in 1996 to “provide expectations for student achievement” in Florida. The SSS were approved by the State Board of Education in 1996 to “provide expectations for student achievement” in Florida.

3. The SSS The Standards are written in 11 subject areas The Standards are written in 11 subject areas The Standards are divided into four grade clusters The Standards are divided into four grade clusters –PreK – 2 –3 – 5 –6 – 8 –9 – 12

4. The SSS School districts have the flexibility to design curriculum based on their local needs School districts have the flexibility to design curriculum based on their local needs Grade Level Expectation (GLE’s) provide more detailed objectives that students must meet. Grade Level Expectation (GLE’s) provide more detailed objectives that students must meet. The GLE’s exist in mathematics for 6 th – 8 th grades The GLE’s exist in mathematics for 6 th – 8 th grades

5. The SSS Curriculum and instruction that teachers teach must be organized around the standards Curriculum and instruction that teachers teach must be organized around the standards The Sunshine State Standards do not tell teachers how to teach. They are simply guidelines to assist teachers in designing instruction to meet student needs, and more importantly, to identify the essential knowledge and skills that students should learn and for which the state will hold schools accountable. The Sunshine State Standards do not tell teachers how to teach. They are simply guidelines to assist teachers in designing instruction to meet student needs, and more importantly, to identify the essential knowledge and skills that students should learn and for which the state will hold schools accountable.

6. The SSS Course specific information for students in grades 6 – 12 can be found in the Florida Course Descriptions: http://www.firn.edu/doe/curriculum/crsco de/basic612/readfirs.htm Course specific information for students in grades 6 – 12 can be found in the Florida Course Descriptions: http://www.firn.edu/doe/curriculum/crsco de/basic612/readfirs.htm http://www.firn.edu/doe/curriculum/crsco de/basic612/readfirs.htm http://www.firn.edu/doe/curriculum/crsco de/basic612/readfirs.htm

7. The FCAT The FCAT is used to measure students progress towards the SSS. The FCAT is used to measure students progress towards the SSS. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is the latest version of Florida’s statewide assessment program. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is the latest version of Florida’s statewide assessment program. The assessment program was initiated about 1972 and has gone through many changes over the years. The assessment program was initiated about 1972 and has gone through many changes over the years.

8. The FCAT In 1976, the Florida Legislature enacted a new accountability act that moved the statewide assessment tests to grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. In 1976, the Florida Legislature enacted a new accountability act that moved the statewide assessment tests to grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. The Legislature also authorized the nation’s first required high school graduation test, which subsequently was implemented in October 1977. The Legislature also authorized the nation’s first required high school graduation test, which subsequently was implemented in October 1977. The first pilot “FCAT” was given in 1998 The first pilot “FCAT” was given in 1998

9. The FCAT The FCAT was designed to meet both the requirements of the Comprehensive Assessment Design (1995) and the rigorous content defined by the Sunshine State Standards. The FCAT was designed to meet both the requirements of the Comprehensive Assessment Design (1995) and the rigorous content defined by the Sunshine State Standards.

10. The FCAT Initially, the FCAT was designed to assess reading, writing, and mathematics at four grade levels so that each subject was assessed at all levels of schooling: elementary, middle, and high. Initially, the FCAT was designed to assess reading, writing, and mathematics at four grade levels so that each subject was assessed at all levels of schooling: elementary, middle, and high. With legislative approval of Governor Bush’s A+ Plan in 1999, the FCAT was expanded to include grades 3-10. With legislative approval of Governor Bush’s A+ Plan in 1999, the FCAT was expanded to include grades 3-10. In 2001, achievement for all grade levels was reported for the first time. In 2001, achievement for all grade levels was reported for the first time. The FCAT become the test required for high school graduation for the class of 2003. The FCAT become the test required for high school graduation for the class of 2003.

11. The SSS Standard Strand Level Subject Benchmark

12. The Makeup A strand is the most general type of information. It is a label for a category of knowledge. A strand is the most general type of information. It is a label for a category of knowledge. A standard is a description of general expectations in regards to the knowledge and skill development within a strand. A standard is a description of general expectations in regards to the knowledge and skill development within a strand. A benchmark is the most specific level of information. It is a statement of expectation about student knowledge and skill by the end of each developmental level. A benchmark is the most specific level of information. It is a statement of expectation about student knowledge and skill by the end of each developmental level.

13. The SSS To which grade band does this standard apply? To which grade band does this standard apply? What is the standard? What is the standard? What is the benchmark? What is the benchmark?

14. To which grade band does this standard apply? To which grade band does this standard apply? What is the subject? What is the subject? What is the strand? What is the strand? The SSS