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Goal: Enhance Florida's Economic Development by Preparing Its Workforce in Mathematics and Science.
Objective: Strengthen Student Achievement in Science and Mathematics by Increasing Teacher Effectiveness.
This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0451272.
First Florida Summit: Overview
Steering Committee
Agenda
List of Participants
Speakers (Bios and Presentations)
Recommendations
Summit Calendar (History)
Contact: Dr. Gerry Meisels (813) 974-7183
Second Florida Summit: Overview
Agenda
Presentation by Dr.Pat O'Connell Ross, USDOE
Presentation by Dr. Harry Orf, Scripps FL
US Secretary's Science Summit (2004)
US Secretary's Mathematics Summit (2004)
First Florida Summit on Mathematics and Science Education, February 2-3, 2005, Tampa Westshore Marriott Hotel, Tampa
OVERVIEW
Legislators, the Governor's staff, Florida Department of Education officials, business and industry representatives, and science and mathematics educators at all levels convened in a one-and-a-half day meeting to establish a common understanding of:
- the need for science and mathematics literacy in our workforce;
- the challenges of today's schools;
- effective methods of mathematics and science instruction;
- the nature and dimensions of creating change in mathematics and science instruction; and
- action plans necessary to achieve them.
The Summit set the stage for the development of action plans and securing support for action. Securing support requires that legislators, overwhelmed with crises and with input and pressure from many special interest groups, have an opportunity to focus on understanding and internalizing the need for better mathematics and science.
The first part of the Summit (February 2) provided that opportunity for legislators. It included presentations on the national perspective and on Florida’s specific needs and interests. Speakers conveyed an understanding of current conditions, with respect to both demographics and culture in our schools, and contrasted traditional teaching with inquiry-based, active learning approaches that are research-based. The message was that things have changed since the participants were in school, that there is consensus on major aspects of still-needed changes, and there is evidence for what works.
Speakers discussed parameters and strategies important to understanding what is needed to produce changes in student learning and attitudes. Points made included the cost of education in terms of human resources as well as dollars, the complexities of competing demands on resources, the need for core leadership in the legislature and recommendations from the Business Higher Education Forum. The last formal part of the program discussed strategies for change and models and processes that make it happen. Discussion questions are listed on the agenda.
The second day of the Summit (February 3), selected education experts, business & industry representatives, and Florida Department of Education staff met to propose action plans for the legislature, the Department of Education, and local businesses and school districts.
Summit Recommendations
Speakers on February 3 provided additional understanding of the need for better mathematics and science education, and what works in mathematics and science education.
Summit Funding: The first Summit was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Additional support for the Florida Summit was provided by the National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions
(NASSMC) from grants provided by NASA and the US Department
of Education.The ExxonMobil Foundation, which has provided funding
for Florida science educators to implement Building a Presence
for Science (BAP), also supported the participation of BAP members in the Summit.
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SECOND FLORIDA SUMMIT on MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE EDUCATION
December 12, 2005, Dolphin & Swan Resort, Orlando, Florida
OVERVIEW
In February, 2005, Florida held an NSF-supported Summit on Mathematics and Science Education. That Summit resulted in specific action plans for the Governor and legislature, the Florida Department of Education, and top level school and district administrators. As a result of the Summit, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) recognized Florida's need for effective education in Mathematics and Science, and took the next step by convening a second Summit on December 12, 2005, the day before the statewide K-12 Student Achievement Conference. The target audience was elementary and secondary school principals and school district instructional leaders; a number of key legislators were also in attendance.
The second Summit had three principal goals:
- reinforce understanding of the critical need of Florida’s economy for strong, world-class education in mathematics and science for all Florida students,
- develop plans to implement the recommendations developed at the first Summit, and
- assist legislative leaders in formulating plans for legislative actions needed to strengthen mathematics and science education on a large, systemic scale.
Florida Summit II included comments by Education Commissioner John Winn, K-12 Chancellor Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke, Dr. Norman Thagard (Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center, Tallahassee),
Dr. Patricia O’Connell Ross (US DOE), Dr. Harry Orf (Scripps Florida), and Dr. Gene Bottoms (High Schools That Work).
Florida Summit II was supported by The Florida Coalition for Improving Mathematics and Science Literacy (CIMS), The University of South Florida Coalition for Science Literacy (CSL at USF), The National Science Foundation (Grant Number EHR-0451272 to CSL at USF), The National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC), Lockheed-Martin, Emergent Design Inc., and the Florida Department of Education.
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