FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T.
WILLARD
FAIR,
Chairman
Memb
ers
DR. AK
SHAY DESAI
MARK KAPLAN
R
OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
JOHN R. P
ADGET
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
S
USAN STORY
M E M O R A N D U M
?
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
Contact Information
Kathy Hebda
(850) 245-0509
Kathy.Hebda@fldoe.org
DPS: 2011-28
DATE: February 16, 2011
TO:
District School Superintendents
Race to the Top Contacts
FROM:
Dr. Frances
Haithcock
SUBJECT:
Adjustment to the Deadline for Submitting Teacher Evaluation Systems for Review under
Race to the Top
As you are aware, in addition to the improvements you have been working to make to your teacher evaluation
systems under Race to the Top, the Florida Legislature has proposed legislation that seeks to support your efforts
for reform and improvement to our systems that promote effective instruction and leadership. As of this date, the
legislation and debate during committee meetings seem well-aligned to the requirements of the grant, and the
Given these circumstances, I have decided that districts and the goals of the state in regard to this important
reform process would be well-served by extending the deadline for the submission of your teacher evaluation
systems documentation by one month.
Therefore, the current deadline of May 1, 2011, to submit
documentation for participating LEA teacher evaluation systems has been changed to June 1, 2011.
We
have notified our contacts at the federal level of this adjustment to our LEA timelines for Race to the Top, and,
because this adjustment keeps this deliverable within the same quarter of the grant year, there is no adverse affect
on your local Race to the Top budgets. When the state’s LEA grant amendment process is released next week,
you will learn how to officially amend your timelines for this and any other adjustments you are proposing to
make for your local Scope of Work.
I have been greatly encouraged by the diligent work and leadership I have witnessed in our participating school
districts around improving teacher and principal evaluation systems since our Race to the Top grant was awarded.
Your efforts in this and everything else you are doing to serve our students are greatly appreciated.
cc:
?
Bill Montford, Florida Association of District School Superintendents
Andy Ford, Florida Education Association
Wayne Blanton, Florida School Boards Association
Juhan Mixon, Florida Association of School Administrators
DR. FRANCES HAITHCOCK
?
CHANCELLOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
?
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1502 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org