FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
�
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP H ANDY,
Chairman
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T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
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Members
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LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
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CHARLES PATRICK G ARCÍA
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JULIA L. JOHNSON
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WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
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LINDA K. T AYLOR
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November 4, 2004
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
?
Mary Laura Openshaw
Director, Just Read, Florida!
JOHN L. WINN
Commissioner of Education
SUBJECT:
“Reading Expedition” A Statewide Reading Event
I am pleased to announce a statewide reading event, sponsored by the North East Florida
Educational Consortium (NEFEC), to showcase exemplary reading practices and models in
schools implementing
Reading First
, the Florida Reading Initiative, and the Reading Coaches
Model Grant.
This event entitled “Reading Expedition” is scheduled for November 16-17, 2004, at the
Paramount Plaza in Gainesville, Florida. The Reading Expedition includes traveling to schools
throughout northeast Florida for an in-depth look at how schools and districts are working
together to improve students’ reading achievement. Areas of focus will include enabling
teachers to implement research-based reading programs and delivering effective reading
instruction. The Expedition will be instrumental in building reading leaders, coaches, and
experts at the school and district level.
The fourteen member districts representing the North East Florida Educational Consortium have
worked collaboratively over the past four years with Just Read, Florida! to make this a reality.
As the State of Florida strives to build one coordinated, coherent approach to research-based
reading instruction in the state, this event will provide a look at models of success.
MARY LAURA OPENSHAW
DIRECTOR, JUST READ, FLORIDA!
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1548 • TALLAHASSEE, FL32399-0400 • (850) 245-0503 • www.fldoe.org
Memo to District School Superintendents
Page 2
Plan to join us on this expedition to explore, collect and share ideas and strategies for
increasing reading achievement in our schools. The event is free of charge; however,
participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Online registration is required
at www.nefec.org/expedition. Hotel reservations for the Paramount Plaza can be made at
(352) 377-4000 (ask for the “Reading Expedition” group rate of $79). For more information,
contact Sabrina Crosby at (386) 329-3800 or crosbys@nefec.org.
Please see the attached pamphlet for additional information.
MLO/be
CC:
?
Assistant Superintendents of Curriculum
Staff Development Directors
Attachment
MARY LAURA OPENSHAW
DIRECTOR, JUST READ, FLORIDA!
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1402 • TALLAHASSEE, FL32399-0400• (850) 245-0503 • www.fldoe.org
