About the Webinar:
The Florida Charter Institute unveiled achievement and innovation headlines from the nation’s top education state and provided a deep dive into student outcomes that make Florida the state to watch. The presentation also offered insight into the concrete practices driving Florida’s impressive achievements.
Why We Should Be Talking about Florida
Presenter:
- Kathryn Perkins, EDD Teaching, Learning and Leadership, Florida Charter Institute
- Robert Pondiscio, Fellow, Florida Charter Institute
- Paul Powell, Director, Florida Charter Institute
- Jeff Wasbes, Founder, DynEval Solutions, LLC
Date/Time: November 20, 2024
Conference: 2024 FL Charter School Conference
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Session Summary
This presentation, "Why We Should Be Talking about Florida," by Kathryn Perkins, Robert Pondiscio, Paul Powell, and Jeff Wasbes from the Florida Charter Institute, showcases Florida's impressive student achievement data and explores the factors contributing to its success. The session begins by highlighting Florida's outlier status in bucking national trends of declining student achievement, particularly in fourth-grade reading, where it ranks third nationally.
The presenters delve into the potential causes for Florida's success, emphasizing the state's long-standing focus on early literacy and consistent investment in a culture of accountability. They also highlight the role of choice and competition in driving improved outcomes, suggesting that Florida's robust school choice landscape has incentivized schools to raise their game.
The presentation also sparks a discussion on the importance of knowledge-building in literacy instruction, drawing on the work of experts like E.D. Hirsch and Natalie Wexler. The presenters argue that reading comprehension is not a transferable skill but rather an effect of knowledge and vocabulary, emphasizing the need for a rich and coherent curriculum that builds background knowledge across subjects.
The session also addresses concerns about over-testing and the potential for accountability measures to stifle teacher autonomy and creativity. The presenters acknowledge these concerns while emphasizing the importance of using assessments as tools for improvement rather than weapons for compliance.
The presentation concludes by highlighting the need for continued research and analysis to better understand the factors driving Florida's success and to identify areas for continued growth. The presenters also emphasize the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among educators and policymakers to ensure that all students in Florida have access to a high-quality education.
Key takeaways for attendees include:
- Florida's student achievement data tells a compelling story of success, particularly in early literacy.
- A focus on knowledge-building and a culture of accountability are likely contributors to Florida's strong performance.
- Choice and competition can play a positive role in driving school improvement.
- Assessments should be used as tools for improvement, not weapons for compliance.
- Continued research and collaboration are essential for sustaining and building on Florida's success.