FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    JIM HORNE
    Commissioner of Education
     
      
     
     
     
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
      
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
     
    Members
     
    LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
     
    CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
     
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
     
    WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
      
     
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    Contact Persons
     
     
      
      
      
      
    NAME:
    Shan Goff
       
       
    NAME:
    Kim McDougal
     
      
      
      
      
    PHONE:
    (850) 245-0509
      
    PHONE:
    (850) 245-5095
     
      
      
      
      
    SUNCOM:
    205-0509
      
      
    SUNCOM:
    205-5095
     
      
      
      
      
    E-MAIL:
    shan.goff@fldoe.org
    E-MAIL:
    kim.mcdougal@fldoe.org
      
     
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    NAME:
    Mary Laura Openshaw
      
      
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    PHONE:
    (850) 245-0503
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    SUNCOM:
    205-0503
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    E-MAIL:
    marylaura.openshaw@fldoe.org
      
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
    DPS:
    04-135
     
    June 11, 2004
     
     
     
    MEMORANDUM
     
    TO:
    District School Superintendents
     
    FROM:
    Jim Warford
     
    SUBJECT:
    2004 Legislation: Middle Grades Reform Act
     
    Governor Bush has signed into law SB 354, Public School Educational Instruction, which
    includes the Middle Grades Reform Act (see copy attached; note that additional provisions of
    this legislation related to physical education will be addressed in a separate memorandum).
     
    The Middle Grades Reform Act focuses on increasing the rigor of academics in grades 6, 7,
    and 8; using reading as the foundation to increasing student achievement in all subject areas;
    and driving the success of
    Just Read, Florida!
    into our middle schools. The intent of this
    legislation is that middle grade students receive rigorous academic instruction through
    challenging curricula, delivered by highly qualified teachers in schools with outstanding
    JIM WARFORD
    K -12 Chancellor
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
     

     
    Memorandum to District School Superintendents
    June 11, 2004
    Page Two
     
     
    leadership, which are supported by engaged and informed parents. Key provisions which
    have immediate impact for school districts are as follows:
     
    Rigorous Reading Requirement
     
    By October 1, 2004
    , each public school with fewer than 75 percent of its students in grade 6,
    grade 7, or grade 8 reading at or above grade level (FCAT Level 3) must incorporate a
    Rigorous Reading Requirement as the primary component of its school improvement plan. The
    purpose of this requirement is to assist each student who is not reading at or above grade level
    to do so before entering high school.
     
    The Rigorous Reading Requirement component must include
    o
     
    specific areas that address phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and
    vocabulary; and the desired levels of performance in these areas
    o
     
    the instructional and support services to be provided to meet these, including research-
    based instructional practices shown to be successful in teaching reading to low-performing
    students.
     
    Schools required to implement the rigorous reading requirement must provide quarterly reports
    to the district school superintendent on the progress of students toward increased reading
    achievement, and the results of such implementation shall be used as part of the annual
    evaluation of the schools’ instructional personnel and school administrators in accordance with
    s. 1012.34, Florida Statutes.
     
    Personalized Middle School Success Plan
     
    Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year
    ,
     
    each principal of a school with a middle grade shall
    designate certified staff members to develop and administer a personalized middle school
    success plan for each entering sixth grade student who scored below Level 3 in reading on the
    most recent administration of the FCAT. The purpose of the plan is to assist the student in
    meeting state and school district expectations in academic proficiency and to prepare the
    student for a rigorous high school curriculum.
     
    The personalized success plan must
    o
     
    identify educational goals and intermediate benchmarks in core curriculum areas which will
    prepare the student for high school
    o
     
    be based upon academic performance data and identification of the student’s strengths and
    weaknesses
    o
     
    include academic intervention strategies with frequent progress monitoring
    o
     
    provide innovative methods to promote the student’s advancement (flexible scheduling,
    tutoring, focus on core curricula, online instruction, alternative learning environment, or
    other interventions shown to accelerate the learning process).
     
     
      

     
     
     
    Memorandum to District School Superintendents
    June 11, 2004
    Page Three
     
     
    Additionally, the personalized success plan
    o
     
    must be incorporated into any individual student plan required by federal or state law (AIP,
    IEP, 504, or ESOL)
    o
     
    must be developed in collaboration with the student and the student’s parent(s)
    o
     
    must be implemented until the student completes eighth grade, or achieves Level 3 on the
    FCAT (Reading)
    o
     
    must minimize paperwork
    o
     
    may be incorporated into a parent/teacher conference, included as part of a progress report
    or report card, included as part of a general orientation at the beginning of the school year,
    or provided by e-mail or other written correspondence.
     
    Assistance to Districts and Schools
     
    To assist districts in meeting the School Improvement Plan/Rigorous Reading Component and
    Personalized Middle School Success Plan requirements, the Department has included these
    required components in District and School Improvement web-based reporting tools
    (www.osi.fsu.edu) as follows:
     
    o
     
    District Improvement and Assistance and Intervention Plan Reporting Database
    This database includes a section requesting a description of the Rigorous Reading
    Requirement being implemented in your district. On the front page of this database there is
    a listing of the schools in your district that must implement the Rigorous Reading
    Requirement.
     
    o
     
    School Improvement Plan Reporting Database
    This database includes a section required for any school in your district serving students in
    grade 6, grade 7, or grade 8 where fewer then 75 percent of students are reading at or
    above grade level (FCAT Level 3) to report its Rigorous Reading Plan. Additionally, any
    school serving grade 6 students where fewer than 75 percent are reading at or above
    grade level must report its requirements for the Personalized Middle School Success Plan
    component.
     
    We encourage you to begin to utilize these tools immediately; additional technical assistance
    related to these requirements will be made available in the near future.
     
    The Department will also be working with the Florida Center for Reading Research, the Just
    Read, Florida! Office, and key education stakeholders, including district and school personnel,
    parents, and students, on additional reform requirements as follows:
     
     
     
     
      

     
     
     
    Memorandum to District School Superintendents
    June 11, 2004
    Page Four
     
     
    o
     
    Comprehensive Reform Study on the Academic Performance of Students and
    Schools
     
    By December 1, 2004
    , the Commissioner shall submit to
    the State Board and legislative
    leaders recommendations to increase the academic performance of middle grade students
    and schools, based on a comprehensive study of academic expectations, attendance
    policies and student mobility issues, teacher quality, identification and availability of
    diagnostic testing, availability of personnel and scheduling issues, middle school leadership
    and performance, and parental and community involvement.
     
    o
     
    Review of Reading/Language Arts Curricula and Courses
     
    By March 1, 2005
    , the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement new or
    revised reading and language arts curricula in the middle grades based on research-based
    proven effective programs, with such courses to be phased in beginning with the 2005-
    2006 school year. Recommendations will be based on the Department’s review of course
    offerings, teacher qualifications, instructional materials, and teaching practices in these
    middle grades content areas.
     
    We look forward to working with you on the implementation of this important legislation, and
    appreciate your continued efforts to ensure that all Florida students are successful readers,
    and that our middle grade students will be prepared for success in high school.
     
    JW/dnl
     
    Attachment: CS/CS/SB 354 (Enrolled)
     
    cc: Assistant Superintendents for Curriculum and Instruction
    Directors of Middle School Education
    Supervisors of Reading/Language Arts
    Directors of Student Services
    Middle School Principals
    Middle School Guidance Supervisors
     
     
     
     
      

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