FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

?

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

F. PHILIP HANDY,

Chairman

JOHN L. WINN

Commissioner of Education

T. WILLARD FAIR,

Vice Chairman

M

embers

LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.

CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA

JULIA L. JOHNSON

WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.

LINDA K. TAYLOR

November 22, 2004

TO:

District Student Services Directors

High School Counseling Supervisors

High School Guidance Counselors

Community College Student Services Directors

State University Student Services Directors

FROM:

John L. Winn

SUBJECT:

2005

Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook

Welcome back to what has been an unusual start to the academic year! With the upheaval in people’s

lives and schedules, the work of counselors becomes even more critical to the continued success of

Florida’s students. Counselors are often the primary source of encouragement and direction for students,

and the challenges counselors overcome to assist our children do not go unnoticed.

One resource that counselors have depended upon for many years is the

Florida Counseling for Future

Education Handbook

. This publication, updated annually, provides a comprehensive reference guide to

postsecondary education in Florida. For the very first time, the

Handbook

is available in a new Web-only

version. Providing this information in a Web format permits easy navigation, keyword searches, and the

ongoing updating of information. In addition, students and parents can be directed to the

Handbook

to

find a wealth of information without necessitating an appointment.

As counselors continue to emphasize the importance of rigor in their students’ course work, the

Handbook

provides invaluable information on the various acceleration mechanisms available to students,

as well as the expectations our state university system holds for entering freshman. Sections taken

directly from the

Handbook

can be used as handouts at parent meetings or advising sessions or as

supplements to a school’s own curriculum guide.

The 2005

Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook

can be found at www.FACTS.org, under

Advising Manuals. For those who desire a desk copy of the document, there is the option to download

and print a PDF version of the

Handbook

; however, those who use a printed version are encouraged to

check the Web periodically for updates.

We hope you find the new

Handbook

helpful, and we welcome your input on future improvements. Best

wishes for an outstanding academic year in Florida!

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org