FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
     
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
      
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
     
    M E M O R A N D U M
     
     
    TO:
    Superintendents
    FROM:
    John L. Winn
    DATE:
    October 6, 2006
    SUBJECT: PSAT/PLAN
     
     
     
    Florida continues to make progress on its primary mission of ensuring that all students are
    exposed to high quality educational opportunities and increased academic rigor in the classroom
    and curriculum. For example, in 2006 Florida had greater than average increases for Black and
    Hispanic students taking the SAT, and these students outperformed their counterparts
    nationwide. Additional opportunities provided for students to take Advanced Placement (AP)
    courses in 2005 to 2006 have resulted in the greatest increases in the number of AP exam-takers
    compared to other states. Also, Black and Hispanic AP exam-takers have increased by over
    230% from 1999 to 2006.
      
    The state-funded free 10th grade testing program is a critical part of Florida’s plan for expanding
    educational opportunities to all students. To demonstrate this commitment, Section 1007.35,
    F.S., directs all districts to provide administration of the PSAT or PLAN to all 10th graders. As
    shown below, many school districts, in recognition of the value of 10
    th
    grade testing towards
    student achievement and postsecondary aspirations have ensured their students’ participation,
    resulting in a tremendous increase in the numbers of students taking the PSAT and PLAN from
    1999 to 2005.
     
     
     
     
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
    PSAT/PLAN
      
    October 6, 2006
    Page Two
     
    Percentage of 10th Grade Test-Takers
     
    1999 2005
    PSAT
    All 21% 67%
    Blacks 13% 56%
    Hispanics 16% 73%
    PLAN
    All 4% 11%
    Blacks 3% 6%
    Hispanics 4% 4%
      
    I encourage you to be actively involved in ensuring that all 10
    th
    graders take the PSAT or PLAN
    test this year. Thank you for your continued commitment to students and I greatly appreciate
    your attention to this important initiative.
      
    JLW/mh
     
     
     
     
     

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