Author Archives: Stephanie Busin
DOE’s Keep Florida Learning Committee Accepting Applications
Thank you for taking time to read my blog.
Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart, has announced an investigation of standardized testing in public schools in response to concerns voiced about the Statewide Assessment Program’s policies and procedures.
Commissioner Stewart indicated the Dept. of Education (DOE) will work with districts throughout the state to gather accurate information on tests administered to meet federal, state and local mandates for the purpose of increasing transparency regarding the use of standardized tests in public schools. DOE staff will assemble and analyze the data collected, and the findings will provide data on the number of standardized tests and the manner in which results are used by the DOE, school boards, and teachers.
Commissioner Stewart also announced the inception of the 11 member Keep Florida Learning Committee whose purpose will be to review opportunities for deregulation for school districts; review instructional material review processes used by school boards; determine parental involvement strategies; and review the implementation of the Florida Standards Assessments.
ANY FLORIDIAN interested in serving on the committee should submit an application to the DOE by visiting http://www.fldoe.org/about-us/fsacommittee.stml. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 31, 2015. Commissioner Stewart will serve on the committee alongside 10 committee members that will include TEACHERS, superintendents, school board members, higher education representatives, legislators, and MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
I’m planning to apply to serve on the committee and I encourage every teacher, principal, and parent to consider applying as well. It is my opinion that we desperately need representation from Hendry County and other small, rural districts on this committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve Hendry County! It’s the greatest job in the world!
~Stephanie
New School Board Member. New Year. New Blog.
A very heartfelt THANK YOU for taking time to read my blog.
Happy New Year, Hendry County! It’s been a whirlwind since being sworn into the Hendry County School Board, District 4 seat on November 18. I’ve participated in two official board meetings, one executive session, and a four day Florida School Board Association conference.
I’m new to being a school board member, and blogging, and what I’m absolutely confident about at this point is what I don’t know far outweighs what I do know. I’ve always been told that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time and as we enter 2015, I’m sitting at this proverbial table feeling hungry and determined.
My plan over the next couple of months is to spend time on each school campus in Hendry County. I’ve appreciated reading each school’s 2014-15 Continuous Improvement Model (formerly known as the School Improvement Plan) and feel like each one offered valuable insight into the instructional and extra-curricular priorities, as well as the culture of each campus. While the CIM’s are valuable tools that provide a great amount of insight, there is no greater teacher than experience. I’m looking forward to the experiences I will encounter and the education I will receive on Hendry County’s campuses in the coming months.
As a board, I feel we’re starting off 2015 on the right foot. A 2.19% raise for district HESPA employees was unanimously approved in the December 2014 meeting and the board unanimously voted to restructure meetings so that the first meeting of the month will be a workshop and the second meeting of the month will be our business meeting. In my opinion, having a workshop each month is essential to having the knowledge, as a board, to build and manage the district’s budget.
I’d like to personally invite you to attend our next school board meeting on Tuesday, January 13, at the Clewiston Sub-Office Boardroom located at 475 E. Osceola Avenue at 5:30 pm for our first business meeting of 2015.
Thank you for the privilege of serving Hendry County. I am honored and humbled.
~Stephanie
Stephanie Busin 