Memorandum Number 02-54

M E M O R A N D U M

J. David Armstrong, Jr.

Ph: (850) 488-1721

SUNCOM: 278-1721

Fax: (850) 488-9763

FLORIDA BOARD OF

T. Willard Fair

William “Bill” Proctor

Carolyn Roberts

COMMISSIONER OF

Memorandum Number 02-54

October 22, 2002

M E M O R A N D U M

Community College Presidents

J. David Armstrong, Jr.

Status of Strategic Planning Project Related to the CLAST

Secretary Horne and I have been receiving quite a few letters from presidents relative to

the CLAST exam and its alternatives. Let me clarify that at this point no decisions have

been made by the Secretary or the Florida Board of Education relative to any action other

than to study the CLAST and its alternatives.

Several months ago the Florida Board of Education approved a list of strategic planning

imperatives and projects. Of the 49 management projects, 21 were identified as priorities,

including project number 5.2.2, “Feasibility Study: Measuring Postsecondary Level

General Knowledge Proficiency”. The objective of the project is to examine the array of

postsecondary diagnostic and proficiency-testing mechanisms to determine the extent to

which they adequately assess mastery of Florida’s general education curricular

requirements. This review will result in recommendations regarding viable methods for

measuring general knowledge proficiency after the sophomore year.

On behalf of our colleges, the Council on Instructional Affairs and the Council of Student

Affairs have been kept updated on the development and implementation status of the

strategic plan and its projects. Division staff will continue to update and work with these

ic councils for appropriate substantive and deliberative recommendations.

Additionally, to ensure K-20 practitioner input and involvement, all project

recommendations will be reviewed and approved by the Articulation Coordinating

Committee (ACC), whose members include both President Massey and President

Dr. Pat Windham of my staff has been appointed as the director of this project. She has

also been assigned the role of convener of the Articulation Coordinating Committee’s

Task Force on Transition Assessments. This Task Force will actually conduct the study.

Several community college and state university representatives are on the project team,

including individuals from Miami-Dade, Gulf Coast, Chipola, Hillsborough and Santa Fe

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Department of Education

1314 Turlington Building

325 W. Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

www.dcc.firn.edu

Memorandum Number 02-54

October 22, 2002

community colleges. President Massey is a member of the Task Force. The Task Force has met once in

conjunction with last month’s ACC meeting, and it is scheduled to meet again during December’s ACC

meeting. For more information regarding project work plans, members, or other questions, please feel

free to contact Dr. Windham at Pat.Windham@FLDOE.org, Suncom 278-0555, or (850) 488-0555,

The Task Force plans to take a thorough look at the CLAST program over the next few months. I

encourage you and your staff to work through any issues with the appropriate academic councils and the

project team. I am sure Presidents Massey and Holcombe also welcome your input and thoughts.

c: Secretary Jim Horne

Members, Council on Instructional Affairs

Members, Council of Student Affairs