As a provider of high quality prekindergarten services, your school district has met an important need in the community

M E M O R A N D U M

January 6, 2003

M E M O R A N D U M

Florida’s Educational Service Providers

Mary Laura Openshaw, Director

Just Read, Florida!

Application for

Reading First

Professional Developers

We need your assistance to identify

175 highly qualified professionals to be

Reading First

Professional Developers. These professionals will be provided with one week, all-expenses paid, of intense

instruction that will prepare them to conduct summer academies for teachers from

Reading First

Being selected as a regional professional developer is an honor. It is also a commitment of expertise and

time. The attached application package details the qualifications and the time commitment.

This application process is the second step of our biggest undertaking to provide high quality professional

development to every K-3 teacher in

Reading First

schools. We will complete the first step this month when

we announce 30 CORE professional developers on January 17, 2003.

The statewide professional development is set up in tiers. The first tier of professional developers consists of

30 CORE professional developers. This application is for the second tier of approximately 175 developers

who are located regionally and locally. All of these developers will ultimately conduct professional

development for all K-3 Florida teachers.

30 CORE Professional Developers

(Announced mid-January, 2003)

175 Regional Professional Developers

(Announced early February 2003)

Reading First

(District awards announced in March; Academies held summer

Memo to Florida’s Educational Service Providers

January 6, 2003

Please note that since

Reading First

is a six-year grant and since we plan to offer Academies each

summer, candidates may, if willing, serve as a regional professional developers throughout the entire

grant period. At this point, we are asking for commitment for the summer of 2003 only. It should

also be noted that, although our intent is for the regional developers to serve in their school district

or in close proximity, there may be occasions when the regional professional developer would, based

on need in another part of the state, be asked to travel to that Academy site. The Department would

reimburse for all travel expenses should the need arise. Additionally, a stipend of $300 per day will

Reading First

Professional Developers who are not on contract with their school

district/agency at the time of their training role at the summer Academies.

We believe that professional development must be the first priority of every

Reading First

We cannot afford to leave any child behind, and having a whole-state effort is the only way to

accomplish that goal. I am asking you to carefully consider this request to nominate your most

highly qualified staff members and to support this initiative by making this professional

development a priority. Having

Reading First

professional developers on your staff will distinguish

your organization from others in the state. I know that the statewide professional development

initiative will not be sufficient for all teachers and schools. Many will need additional assistance as

they encounter challenges, and this is when your staff will be invaluable to them.

Please contact Barbara Elzie with any questions that you may have. She can be reached at

850.921.9969 or barbara.elzie@FLDOE.org. I look forward to our continued relationship to

improve Florida schools. Thank you, and Just Read, Florida!

Attachment: Application for

Reading First

Regional Developers

Secretary Jim Horne

David Armstrong

Florida School Districts

Reading First District Contacts

Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services

Bureau of Safe Schools and School Support

Bureau of Improving Academic Standards and School Performance

Bureau of Professional Development

Area Centers for Educational Enhancement

Project Central

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System

Florida Inclusion Network

Institute for Small and Rural Districts

CSPD/Professional Development Partnerships

Title I Regional Coordinators

Florida League of Teachers and National Board Certified teachers

Regional Consortia (PAEC, NEFEC, Heartland)

Deans of Education at Universities and Colleges/Community College Presidents

Florida Learning Alliance

Florida Education Association

Florida Association of District School Superintendents