GOVERNOR BUSH SIGNS A++ PLAN FOR EDUCATION
~New reforms bring more rigor and relevance to middle and high school~

Governor Jeb Bush today signed House Bill 7087, his A++ Plan for
Education, increasing the rigor and relevance of Florida’s middle and high
schools to better prepare students for postsecondary education and the
workforce.  The Governor was joined by bill sponsor State Representative
Ralph Arza, K - 12 Public Schools Chancellor Cheri Pierson Yecke, state
and local officials, school administrators and members of the Department
of Education High School Reform Task Force.

“This bold measure will help prepare middle and high school students for
the challenges ahead of them,” said Governor Bush.  “Our students will now
take charge and plan for their future, realizing the decisions they make
today shape their tomorrow. I commend the Florida Legislature for making
these cutting-edge reforms a reality for future generations of Florida
students.”

Middle School Reform
The strong gains made by our elementary students must be sustained as they
enter middle school.  To ensure middle school provides higher levels of
rigor and lays the groundwork for success in high school and beyond, the
A++ middle school reforms include:

*       Requiring students to complete 12 core academic courses (three
each in English, math, science and social studies), as well as one course
in career and education planning, in order to be promoted to high school.

*       Requiring every middle school in the state to offer at least one
high school level math class for which high school credit may be earned.

*       Engaging students to plan for their future.  Students will be
required to complete a personalized academic and career plan during the
seventh or eighth grade through the Florida Academic Counseling and
Tracking for Students (FACTS.org) online advising system.

High School Reform
Never before has increasing the rigor and relevance for high school
students been more critical in preparing them for college and career.

*       Ninth graders entering high school in the 2007-2008 school year
will now be required to earn 16 core academic credits and eight elective
credits in order to graduate with a high school diploma.  Core
requirements consist of four credits of English and math; three credits of
social studies and science; one credit of fine arts; and one credit in
physical education and health.

*       To better engage students in planning and making decisions for
their future, they will now select an area of interest as part of their
personalized education and career plan.  Students will earn four credits
in a major area of interest - similar to college students - which may be
in the arts, advanced academic studies or career preparation.  There will
be flexibility so students can change their areas of emphasis, if they
wish.  The remaining four elective credits may be used to earn a second
major area of interest, a minor, or for other elective classes.

“A+, set a high standard for the children of our state,” said
Representative Ralph Arza. “In the past seven years we have witnessed
incredible student achievement, we now embark on phase two of Governor
Bush’s educational reform and accountability plan that will lead to high
student achievement in middle school and high school.”

Reading Initiatives
Access to high-quality reading instruction will continue to drive
increased student performance.

*       Middle and high school students reading at the lowest level (Level
1 on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) must enroll in an
intensive reading course.  Students reading at Level 2 will be required to
take an intensive reading course or another course that provides reading
instruction.

*       Funding for reading will now be a permanent part of the Florida
Education Finance Program (FEFP) to ensure school districts have adequate
annual funding to serve the reading needs of their students.

Career Initiatives
The A++ Plan for Education will assist students in becoming better
prepared to enter Florida’s workforce by:

*       Creating research-based career and professional academies
combining a rigorous academic curriculum with an industry-driven career
curriculum.  Similar to a “school-within-a-school,” these academies will
offer students a unique opportunity to focus their interest in a specific
area of study.

*       Offering a “Ready to Work” Certification program.  This program
creates a job skill training and credentialing program for any high school
student or adult learner who chooses to participate.   An assessment
measures a student’s readiness in certain job skills, enabling students to
obtain an occupation-specific credential that provides employers with a
clear, consistent statewide standard of the job skills an individual
possesses.

“The A++ Plan for Education brings much needed reform to our middle and
high schools,” said Chancellor Yecke.  “At every grade level, Florida’s
students, as well as teachers, will benefit from the sound educational
policies put in place by Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature.”

Teacher Initiatives
Florida is facing a shortage of teachers in certain subject areas, as well
as highly-skilled teachers for low-performing schools that need them the
most.

*       As part of the A++ Plan for Education, educators who fill this
need will receive additional pay through differentiated compensation.
Differentiated pay is an incentive that will attract highly skilled and
more seasoned teachers to low-performing schools and will help fill
vacancies in fields experiencing critical shortages such as math, science
and special education.

Paperwork Reduction for Educators
One in three respondents to a survey of Florida teachers conducted last
year indicated they were spending more than half of their time each week
devoted to paperwork and data collection.

*       Part of the A++ Plan for Education is aimed at reducing the
paperwork burden on teachers and other school district personnel.
Initiatives include requiring each district to appoint a classroom teacher
as a district representative to speak on behalf of teachers, streamlining
school improvement plan development and consolidating duplicative student
monitoring plans.

Professional Development
Solid leadership is a key component to the success of Florida’s education
system.

*       Established through the A++ Plan for Education, the William Cecil
Golden Professional Development Program for School Leaders will provide
professional development and support for principals.  This collaborative
network of state and national leadership organizations will support the
human-resource development needs of principals, principal leadership teams
and candidates for principal leadership positions.

Other Initiatives
Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year and each year thereafter, the
opening date for schools may not be earlier than 14 days before Labor
Day.  This requirement was put in place in response to concerns from
parents and other citizen groups seeking a return to a more traditional
school calendar and to bring uniformity to start dates across the state.

Since 1999, Governor Bush’s A+ Plan for Education has played a dramatic
role in improving student achievement. Today, more students than ever are
reading on their own, participating in Advanced Placement (AP) classes,
taking college entrance exams, graduating from high school and pursuing
higher education.

·       Seventy-five percent of Florida’s third graders are reading at or
above grade level, compared to only 57 percent in 2001.

·       According to the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress,
Florida again surpassed the national average in fourth-grade reading and,
for the first time, bettered the national average in fourth-grade
mathematics.

·       Since 1999, the number of “A” schools has increased by more than
500 percent, with 1,255 schools earning an “A” in 2005.

·       Between 1999 and 2005, the number of Florida students taking AP
exams increased by 125 percent.
·       Record numbers of Florida students are taking the SAT and ACT
exams, with an increase of minority test-takers.  More than 93,500 - 65
percent - of Florida’s 2005 high school graduates took the SAT.  In
addition, 58,000 students took the ACT.

·       Florida’s high school graduation rate increased to 71.9 percent in
2005, up from 60.2 percent in 1999.

To view a copy of Governor Bush’s A++ Plan for Education visit
www.myflorida.com <http://www.myflorida.com>.