FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
April 30, 2008
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
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District School Superintendents
K-12
Principals
FROM:
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Evan B. Lefsky, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Just Read, Florida!
SUBJECT:
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Competency Two Flexibility for Content Area Reading Professional Development
(CAR-PD) and Reading Endorsement for ESOL Teachers (REESOL)
I am pleased to report that, in the interest of providing as much flexibility as possible while
maintaining the integrity of teacher professional development, the Department has agreed to
allow any state approved competency two course within the Reading Endorsement to serve as the
prerequisite course for the CAR-PD 60 hour face to face academy and the REESOL 100 hour
face to face academy. Previously, only Florida Online Reading Professional Development
(FOR-PD) or Florida Reading Initiative (FRI) were honored as prerequisites. We urge you to
continue to use FOR-PD or FRI, as they both are sponsored by Just Read, Florida! and are quite
rigorous in laying the groundwork for the science of teaching reading. However, since all
competency two courses used by districts, Educator Preparation Institutes (EPIs) and teacher
preparation programs are thoroughly reviewed and approved by Just Read, Florida!, the time
seems right for flexibility in this area.
CAR-PD is a 150 hour professional development package consisting of FOR-PD or FRI (and
now any state approved competency two course within the Reading Endorsement); a 60 hour
face to face academy, and a 30 hour practicum. The purpose of CAR-PD is to allow a content
area teacher who has completed the 150 hour CAR-PD training to provide reading intervention
to students who scored at level 2 on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) , but
who are fluent and do not have instructional needs in the area of decoding.
EVAN B. LEFSKY, PH.D.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUST READ, FLORIDA!
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325 W. GAINES STREET, ROOM 1548 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0503 • www.fldoe.org
Memorandum to District School Superintendents and K-12 Principals
April 30, 2008
Page 2
REESOL is a 300 hour Reading Endorsement consisting of 80 hours from the ESOL to Reading
crosswalk; 60 hours of FOR-PD or FRI (and now any state approved competency two within the
Reading Endorsement); a 100 hour face-to-face REESOL Academy and a 60 hour practicum.
As you work with your surrounding EPIs, you may be assured that you may accept their state
approved competency two courses, not only towards the Reading Endorsement, but also as the
prerequisite course for the CAR-PD 60 hour face to face academy and the 100 hour REESOL
academy offered within your district. Additionally, you may honor any competency two course
offered as part of teacher preparation programs, as these are also reviewed by Just Read, Florida!
I hope this information is helpful. If we can be of assistance, please feel free to contact Barbara
Elzie at barbara.elzie@fldoe.org or 850/245-0503. Thank you for your hard work and
commitment to the highest quality professional development for Florida’s teachers.
EBL:be
