Instruction for Mathematics and Science in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades
Grade at Which Specialist Teachers for Mathematics and Science are Introduced
Florida’s elementary educator certification allows teachers to teach up to the sixth grade level. Teachers in Grades 7 to 12 must have specialist certification.
Instructional Materials, Equipment, and Laboratories
Florida statutes govern the adoption process for Florida’s instructional materials. The FDOE develops policies and procedures for the adoption of instructional materials annually, identifying subject areas for material adoption each year on a rotating basis. Prior to each adoption, the FDOE publishes instructional materials specifications for the subjects to be adopted. These specifications outline the courses for which materials are being sought, as well as the standards that those materials are expected to meet. State instructional materials reviewers evaluate the materials submitted for adoption, and the commissioner of education formally adopts the recommendations of the reviewers, either fully or with amendments.
Districts (local education agencies) may choose which materials to purchase from this adoption list. Florida schools and school districts must purchase adopted materials through the publisher’s Florida depository. Florida statutes stipulate that funding for instructional materials is allocated to local school districts annually, as determined by the Legislature. Up to 50 percent of this annual allocation may be used for materials not on the state adopted list. By the 2015–2016 school year, districts were required to use at least 50 percent of the annual allocation for the purchase of digital or electronic instructional materials included on the list of state-adopted instructional materials.8
Use of Technology
While Florida has not adopted technology standards for students statewide, the state does support the International Society for Technology in Education—National Educational Technology Standards for students.9 Some school districts in the state have adopted their own technology standards.
Per Florida Statute 1101.62(12)(b), all districts are required to submit a Digital Classrooms Plan (DCP) that outlines the technology needs of students, schools, teachers, and personnel in the district. Plans must be certified by the school board within each district before they are submitted. An allocation of funds has been established to assist districts in implementing Digital Classroom Plans.
The statute requires that the following component areas be included:
- Student performance outcomes
- Digital learning and technology infrastructure
- Professional development
- Digital tools
- Online assessment support
Funds received as a result of approval must be spent according to what is stated in the plans. In addition, as funds are dispersed, district plans are posted online to the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educational Technology website. Further information including templates, guidance documents, and reports are available at http://www.fldoe.org/about-us/division-of-technology-info-services/educational-technology/dcp.stml.
Calculator use is permitted on some mathematics examinations. Information regarding calculator use may be found at http://fsassessments.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/FSA-Calculator-and-Reference-Sheet-Policy-Updated-10022015.pdf.
Accommodation Policies for Instruction and Testing
Section 1008.22, Florida Statutes (FS) authorizes the provision of assessment accommodations for students with disabilities and for students who have limited English proficiency.
Accommodations are authorized for students who have been determined eligible as students with a disability and have a current Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or a plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Accommodations must be identified on student IEPs or Section 504 plans, and must be based on current instructional accommodations and accessible instructional materials used regularly by students in the classroom. Rule 6A-1.0943(4)(a), FAC, states that appropriate and allowable accommodations for statewide standardized assessments are prescribed in current statewide standardized assessment test administration manuals published by the FDOE. Accommodations are changes or adjustments to standard testing procedures or materials that enable students with disabilities to participate in state or district assessments. Accommodations that negate the validity of a statewide standardized assessment are not allowable. The use of allowable statewide assessment accommodations is based on current instructional accommodations and the accessible instructional materials that are used regularly by students in the classroom.
Accommodation information for statewide assessments should be the same or similar to what students typically use to learn and perform tasks in the classroom setting. Accommodations are included in the applicable test administration manuals. Categories of allowable accommodations for students with disabilities include the following:
- Flexible presentation
- Flexible responding
- Flexible scheduling
- Flexible setting
- Assistive devices and tools
Accommodations for tests that are delivered in print test and answer booklets (paper-based format) are allowable changes made to the materials and administrative procedures used in the testing situation. Accommodations may involve specialized presentation formats (e.g., large print, braille, oral language, and sign language) or the use of assistive technology or other tools to support students’ access to information on the test. Response accommodations may involve alternate response modes, such as dictation or signing, as well as the use of assistive devices and tools. Scheduling and setting accommodations include changes to the timing and specific location of test administration.
Accommodations for computer-based tests are similar to accommodations for paper-based tests in terms of their purpose and function. Florida’s computer-based testing platforms provide features, settings, and embedded tools for all students. The platforms also provide masking and text-to-speech as computer-based accommodations.
Students who are identified as English language learners and are currently receiving services in a program operated in accordance with an approved ELL district plan are eligible to receive accommodations to enable them to participate fully in the statewide standardized assessment program. ELL accommodations are defined as follows:
- Flexible setting
- Flexible scheduling
- Assistance in heritage language
- Use of an approved translation dictionary (word to word)