FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
CONTACT PERSONS
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Mike Tremor
Phone:
(850) 245-0479
(850) 245-0423
Suncom:
205-0479
205-0423
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
michael.tremor@fldoe.org
DPS:
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04-057
MEMORANDUM
To:
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District School Superintendents
From:
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Jim Warford
Date:
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December 1, 2003
Subject:
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HIGH SCHOOL REFORM AND RESOURCES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
COUNSELORS
Recently, Commissioner Jim Horne attended the US Department of Education High School
Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. The purpose of this summit was to increase the visibility of
the challenges facing America's high schools and discuss steps needed to tackle these challenges.
The summit used the framework of the No Child Left Behind Act to initiate and promote a national
dialogue related to transforming high schools and creating seamless transitions into and through
postsecondary education. Speakers and resource materials focused on four themes:
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Setting high expectations and accountability for results
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Creating options and engaging students
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Fostering world-quality teaching and school leadership
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Making smooth transitions into postsecondary education, training, and careers
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
High School Reform and Resources for Middle and High School Counselors
December 1, 2003
Page Two
The summit provided key research findings, inspirational examples of school change, and new
relationships with fellow educators, government officials, and education policymakers. Many
important reforms are currently underway throughout the nation. This meeting was a first step in
identifying the issues and proposing promising solutions. The US Department of Education will
continue this effort by facilitating future workshops, conference calls, newsletters, and publications to
build links around key research and policy issues - all focusing on youth achievement and high
school improvement.
At the summit, Secretary Rod Paige announced two new websites that will greatly enhance your
academic advisement program in your middle and high schools. I encourage all middle and high
school counselors to review these sites and share this information with their students and parents.
The Career Voyages website (www.careervoyages.gov) provides a wealth of information and guided
support in determining the best career path for a student. It clearly delineates among the careers
requiring postsecondary education and those that do not require formal education beyond high
school graduation. You may access Florida-specific information related to emerging trends in "hot
careers" and pertinent salary information. The site also includes a link for parents designed to
facilitate the planning process merging high school requirements with professional expectations in a
particular career and video tours for students with an on-line interest inventory.
The Federal Student Aid website (www.studentaid.ed.gov) provides information to school
counselors, students, and parents to guide them through the application process for financial
assistance. A reader may access information based on a student's age (ranging from elementary
school through graduate school) and links are written with a developmentally appropriate style and
focus.
I recommend middle school and high school counselors to encourage students and parents to visit
the Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students website (www.FACTS.org). This
website provides information on Florida postsecondary institutions, career guidance, occupations,
resources for planning high school courses, and personal high school academic evaluations. We
will share additional resources regarding school reform as it is developed. This is an exciting
opportunity to plan for a more promising future for our middle and high school students and
graduates.
JW:mjbo
cc:
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Student Services Directors
Guidance Supervisors
High School Principals
Middle School Principals
High School Counselors
Middle School Counselors
ESE Directors
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
