Latest FOR-PD News

New Audio Interview Posted - June 18, 2008

FOR-PD interviewed Gerald Campano about literacy and culturally diverse students.

Draft Competencies and Skills for Three Florida Teacher Certification Examinations
May 20, 2008 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Florida Colleges and Universities.

10th Annual Literacy Symposium - May 12, 2008

On April 4, 2008, the UCF College of Education hosted the 10th Annual Literacy Symposium, which was co-sponsored by FOR-PD. Over 500 educators throughout the state attended this event with at least 40 concurrent sessions to choose from.

Dr. Douglas Fisher’s presentation, Comprehension is More than Strategies: Reading and Thinking Across Content Areas [PDF: 49 slides / 1.21mb], and Mr. Edward Bloor’s presentation, Young Adult Literature [MOV / 100mb], are now available for viewing.

Thank you to all of those who participated in this event and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s Literacy Symposium!

Dr. Douglas Fisher: Video [MOV / 144mb] and PowerPoint [PDF: 49 slides / 1.21mb]
Mr. Edward Bloor: Video [MOV / 100mb]

A Nation at Risk - May 2, 2008

Today, US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings released a white paper and launched a new interactive Web page following up on the landmark education report, A Nation At Risk, which was published 25 years ago. Over the next several months, the Secretary will pose various questions related to the state of education in the US on this Web page.

Technology & Literacy Added to the FOR-PD Course

FOR-PD is adding a new element to the FOR-PD course beginning summer 2008. The “Technology and Literacy” addition to the FOR-PD course explores how teachers can utilize technology to support reading instruction and students’ reading development in grades PreK-12. [Read more]

New Audio Interview Posted - March 17, 2008

FOR-PD interviewed Doug Fisher about improving adolescent literacy.

New Audio Interview Posted - January 3, 2008

FOR-PD interviewed Elaine K. McEwan about integrating reading across the content areas and the importance of using think-alouds in every classroom.

2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress Results Highlight Florida's Successes
September 25, 2007 - Florida DOE Press Release.

FOR-PD Announces Literacy Blog - September 17, 2007

This month FOR-PD will be launching the "FOR-PD Literacy Blog". This blog is provided to all those interested in literacy and literacy research. Throughout the semester the FOR-PD Reading Specialist will be posting thoughts, ideas, and follow-up for the lessons provided within the FOR-PD course. She will post reading news, new research, and literacy links that you may want to visit and share with others. You can read the blog by visiting the blog site at http://forpd.ucf.edu/literacyblog.

Reading Leadership Teams
September 11, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Principals.
Attachment

Coach’s Log Reporting
September 11, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Principals.

Student Center Activities, Grades K-1 and Grades 2-3 Binders
September 4, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Elementary School Principals.

Progress Monitoring and Reporting Network (PMRN) Changes
August 20, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Principals.

Content Area Reading Professional Development (CAR-PD) Update
August 20, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Secondary School Principals.

(NCLB) HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER REQUIREMENTS - ESE TEACHERS TEACHING K-6
August 1, 2007 - Memo from Florida DOE to Exceptional Student Education Directors and District Certification Officers.

Just Read, Florida! Reading Endorsement Professional Development On-Line Courses for Competencies One and Three
Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Principals.

Content Area Reading Professional Development (CAR-PD) emphasizing reading instruction professional development for content area teachers. Memo from Florida DOE to Superintendents and Middle/High School Principals.

Keynote presentations from the The UCF College of Education 8th Annual Literacy Symposium, "Engaging Students in Reading," are now available.
Download ReLeah Lent's keynote presentation, Engaging Adolescent Learners and Enrique Puig's keynote presentation, 7 Guiding Principles for Effective Literacy Coaching.
FLaRE has placed these presentations on their website

FOR-PD Update - March 21, 2006.

FOR-PD Update - February 20, 2006.

The UCF College of Education's 8th Annual Literacy Symposium will take place on April 7, 2006 from 8:30-3:30pm.

FOR-PD Update - January 25, 2006.

FOR-PD Update - December 15, 2005.

FOR-PD Update - November 17, 2005.

FOR-PD has launched a free eStore for Florida educators to receive materials.

FOR-PD recently interviewed Dr. Donna Alvermann from the University of Georgia about comprehension instruction in the content-area classroom.

FOR-PD Update - October 23, 2005.

FOR-PD Update - September 20, 2005.

Sunshine Connections was developed to help teachers minimize paperwork, reduce lesson planning time and develop teaching activities based on student data. This is a tool developed by a partnership between the Florida Department of Education, Microsoft and Florida teachers.

FOR-PD Update - August 18, 2005.

Congratulations to UCF for winning EDUCAUSE's Award for Systemic Progress in Teaching and Learning!

FOR-PD Update - July 17, 2005.

FOR-PD was recently applauded for its reading resources in Middle Matters, a National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) publication.

FOR-PD Update - June 17, 2005.

NCES has just released 'The Condition of Education 2005.' This publication summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available data. The report presents 40 indicators on the status and condition of education and a special analysis of the mobility of elementary and secondary school teachers.

Family Fun Reading Activities from the Florida DOE [PDF: 1 page / 32k]

FOR-PD Update - May 16, 2005.

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 1-7, 2005, the FOR-PD team would like to honor all of our teachers for their dedication, time, committment, and caring for our students. Join us in thanking all of our FOR-PD teachers for all they do on a daily basis to reach, teach, and mold our students into literate and successful citizens. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in your literacy professional development plans!

On May 4, 2005 FOR-PD launched its newly redesigned website in a continuing effort to provide quality reading resources to educators and support students of the FOR-PD course. The FOR-PD website received more than 17,000 hits in April with more visitors coming every month. Please enjoy the new design and let us know if you have any comments!

See the great review of the FOR-PD website by one of the teachers at MiddleWeb

Read about our state's position statement on the reading and writing connection [PDF: 2 pages / 36k]

Dr. Donna Alvermann, distinguished international reading researcher from the University of Georgia, was our keynote presenter at the 7th Annual UCF College of Education "Celebrate Literacy" Symposium. Her presentation is now online. [PDF: 38 slides / 340k]

See new website by the Lt. Governor Toni Jennings' and the Governor's official children's website "Flamingo Floyd." It's an interactive website where youth from around the world can access information about Florida, including Fun Facts, Florida's history and information on past Governors.

The National Library Week is from April 10-16, 2005. Celebrate the National Library Week with SUNLINK and get free access to some wonderful databases.

We would like to announce that Dr. Donna Alvermann, distinguished international reading researcher from the University of Georgia will be our keynote presenter at the 7th Annual UCF College of Education "Celebrate Literacy" Symposium.

FOR-PD and Reading Endorsement for ESOL (REESOL) Announced [PDF: 5 pages / 140k]

FOR-PD and Alternative Certification

The Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educator Certification has announced efforts to emphasize reading in every district's Alternative Certification Program. The Department of Education has suggested that districts use one of three options to satisfy this requirement.

Florida Online Reading Professional Development (FOR-PD) Program
Competency 2 course approved on the district's Add-On Reading Endorsement Program
A 3-semester hour college-level reading course that addresses "Foundations of Research-Based Reading Practices"

The Governor has announced Hoot by Carl Hiaasen to be the selection in the second annual Read Together, Florida program [PDF: 1 page / 52k]

The Northwest Florida Secondary Reading Symposium is April 16, 2006 [PDF: 1 page / 92k]

New plans have been announced for a free online course for Competency 1 of the reading endorsement [PDF: 2 pages / 64k]

Updated information [PDF: 12 pages / 92k] from the Florida DOE regarding 12th grade students who have not earned a passing score on the FCAT for 2004-2005

Parent Resources [PDF: 2 pages / 45k] for Struggling Third Grade Students

FOR-PD Update - April 21, 2005.

FOR-PD Update - March 15, 2005.

FOR-PD Update - February 17, 2005.

FOR-PD Update - January 15, 2005.

The Education Trust, a non-profit organization, focused on closing the achievement gap, just released a study on reading and math achievement of elementary students in 24 states, including Florida. Read the entire report States Are Moving in the Right Direction in Narrowing Achievement Gaps and Raising Achievement for All Students, but Not Fast Enough [PDF]

Updated information from DOE regarding Tier 3 students and progress monitoring [PDF].

Read about strides made in Florida education from 2001-2004

FOR-PD is also featured on the U.S. Department of Education website as an example of "state initiatives to improve teacher quality."

The FOR-PD course has been included in UCF's newly approved Graduate Certificate in Reading Education Program

National Institute of Statistical Sciences/Education Statistics Services Institute Task Force on Graduation, Completion, and Dropout Indicators

2004 Latest News

View the "No Child Left Behind: The Transformation of our Public Schools" Annual Back to School Address given by US Secretary of Education, Rod Paige.
Education Commissioner Horne Steps Down
In a recent white paper presented by Glenn M. Kleiman, of the Education Development Center at Harvard University, at the U.S. Department of Education Secretary's No Child Left Behind Leadership Summit, FOR-PD was recognized as an "innovative example of e-learning programs for educators."
FOR-PD Update - December 17, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - November 19, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - October 21, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - September 23, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - August 18, 2004.
August Reading Strategy - Word Builder
FOR-PD Update - July 19, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - June 14, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - May 20, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - April 8, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - March 15, 2004.
FOR-PD Update - February 15, 2004.
FOR-PD Year in Review

2003 and Earlier

FOR-PD Facilitator wins "Making it Happen" award
FOR-PD Update - December 5, 2003.
Congratulations! Super job, fourth grade students and educators! The state of Florida and FOR-PD are proud of all your hard work and achievements!!!
The FOR-PD course has been included in UCF's newly approved Graduate Certificate in Reading Education Program
FOR-PD Update - November 16, 2003.
Slammin' - it's Teen Read Week!
FOR-PD Update - October 16, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - September 16, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - August 8, 2003.
Breaking news about the reading endorsement
FOR-PD Update - July 11, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - June 4, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - May 6, 2003.
What do I need to do in order to qualify for the reading endorsement? [PDF]
Reading Endorsement Competencies [PDF]
For parents: Suggestions to help build your child's reading skills
Just Read, Florida!: Educator Resources
Just Read, Florida!: Reading program specifications [PDF]
A consumer's guide to evaluating a core reading program grades K-3: A critical element analysis [PDF]
Reading First: technical assistance video
Florida Reading First Guidance to Districts [PDF]
The Florida DOE has put out a memorandum regarding Summer Reading Programs [PDF] and Components for Consideration in Planning Summer Reading Camps [PDF]
The online chat with Dr. Donald Bear was a great success on April 14, 2003!
FOR-PD Update - April 1, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - March 13, 2003.
FOR-PD News Flash - March 3, 2003.
FOR-PD Update - February 12, 2003.
FOR-PD News Flash - February 12, 2003.
FOR-PD had a great time meeting students, facilitators and other folks at FETC 2003.
FOR-PD News Flash - January 2003.
The FOR-PD Online Course launched on January 21, 2003!
The FOR-PD project has written two sample staff development components for use by districts in creating components for the FOR-PD course and/or the FOR-PD faciltitator course!
FOR-PD flyers available for promotional use - FREE!
See which districts and universities are participating in the FOR-PD project!
The FOR-PD team had a great time presenting and meeting with media specialists at FAME.
FOR-PD webcast on the Florida Education Channel begins to air December 2. FEC is also hosting a streaming version on their site to be viewed any time!
What is Evidence-Based Reading Instruction? (from IRA)
Facilitator course began November 18, 2002.
Reading Endorsement Information [PDF] from the Florida DOE