Florida Textbook Adoption Process May Be In For Big Changes
May 19, 2011
Fewer people will approve what textbooks Florida students should use under a bill that dramatically changes the state’s textbook adoption procedures.
The measure eliminates the current process of using statewide committees of teachers, school board members, administrators and ordinary citizens to select textbooks, and instead gives more power to the Education Commissioner.
Teachers and school board members critical of the change say it weakens the voice of teachers and the public in the textbook adoption process, opening it up to a potentially more politics and corruption. But others defend the change as a minor tweak that saves the state money and shifts responsibility for textbook reviews to experts.
The proposal (SB 2120) is contained in an education budget bill that will likely be approved by Gov. Rick Scott this month. The bill requires the commissioner to select three state or national “subject matter experts” to review books for each subject, with only two reviewing the books and the third acting as a tie-breaker.
Then, school districts can appoint one teacher or district curriculum specialist to review a handful of the recommendations by the state reviewers. Ultimately, school districts have to spend 50 percent of their textbook budgets on books approved by the state reviewers, giving districts the ability to stray beyond the list.
The Department of Education pushed for this change as a way of correcting what was seen as an arduous and expensive process of reviewing textbooks. Mary Jane Tappen, who is in charge of curriculum for the department, said it had become difficult finding people to sit on the committees.
“It’s volunteer and it requires a lot of independent time reviewing resources, followed by face-to-face meetings away from home,” Tappen said. And it is costly for an education department facing budget cuts. The department had to reimburse districts for the cost of substitute teachers and pay for travel and a per diem.
“We felt like going to a review process where first experts review the content to ensure it is error free and factual, followed by every district in the state participating in a second review,” Tappen said.
But some who have sat on these textbook committees say they like having the ability to work with a diverse group of people and worry that with fewer reviewers the process will be more vulnerable to corruption or a particular political slant. In Texas, for instance, the textbook selection process has been rife with conflict for years, with battles over whether to include references to evolution in science textbooks and emphasize history with a conservative slant.
“We are going to see what happened in Texas, with curriculum being challenged and changed,” said April Griffin, a school board member from the Hillsborough County School District who also served on the state adoption committee for high school mathematics textbooks more than a year ago. “We are going to see favoritism shown for certain companies. I think we are going to lose the voice of the front lines in this process.”
Griffin, as well as other past textbook reviewers, agreed that it could be a daunting task. Reviewers describe entire rooms taken up with boxes and hours spent pouring over dry textbook material.
“If you want to do a thorough job you need to really devote some time to reviewing the materials,” said Lisa Greco, a curriculum supervisor for the Osceola County School District who helped pick high school mathematics books two years ago. “One of the concerns that I really had was guarding against myself saying ‘this a big nationally recognized publisher, don’t spend too much time on it.’ ”
But some reviewers say the process is enhanced having more people in it. Under current law, the committees have to include a “lay citizen” as well as teachers and school board members. Some of the people involved in textbook selection in recent years have included a personal injury lawyer and a dentist.
“This is government in the sunshine and a volunteer committee that is doing public good,” said Daniel McFarland, a high school science teacher in Hillsborough County who served recently on a state committee that picked biology and environmental science textbooks. “Every time you take one of those citizen committees and you move it to the back of one of those smoke-filled rooms we are less transparent, we are less accountable.”
Rep. Marti Coley, who helped craft the education budget that included the textbook changes, said concerns about public input were not brought to her attention until after the bill had been approved by the Legislature. Coley said there are copyright issues that prevent the department from wholesale posting curriculum online for review.
Coley, R-Marianna, said she will work with the department to include more public comment. “This is a valid concern and we will work to try to figure out a way to allow the public to comment on that process,” Coley said.
The Florida Education Association said the new process could work if those appointed reviewers “are highly qualified and seek out different perspectives,” according to spokesman Mark Pudlow. He said either approach in theory could work fine, but by allowing the Commissioner to appoint reviewers it could lead to a “highly politicized DOE” that appoints reviewers who share the same political philosophies.
At least one school administrator who had reviewed textbooks said the new approach wasn’t worrisome.
With a planned conversion to a national standard for curriculum in 2014, it becomes less important to have teachers and other reviewers who are intimately familiar with Florida standards, said John Miller, a curriculum administrator for the Polk County School District.
“Given the fact that we are moving to (national standards), I tend to think this is a good move,” Miller said.
Florida has typically been a powerful player in the textbook publishing industry because it is one of the more populous states. It’s more cost effective for publishers to write books nationally based on standards of the bigger states.
Sen. Bill Montford, head of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said initially the proposal caused the group “some concern.”
The bill permits school districts to organize their own textbook adoption committees, but it weakens their ability to influence the state approved list by lowering the number of reviewers.
Districts have to use the state’s list for some, but not all, of their textbook purchases.
“We have to have confidence in the commissioner that he will appoint the right people,” Montford said. “The old way served us well. We are moving so rapidly and this particular change, the jury is still out.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
County Makes State Line Road Drainage Improvements
May 19, 2011
Escambia County has made drainage and safety improvements at the intersection of North Highway 99 and State Line Road in Bratt. The county’s drainage crew replaced deteriorated headwalls and installed pipe to provide for a wider shoulder along the roadway.
State Line Road parallels the Alabama/Florida line between Bratt and Atmore. It is also known as Old Bratt Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Persons Of Interest In Escambia Murder
May 19, 2011
Two men wanted for questiong in connection with a Monday night murder on Diego Circle have turned themselves in after their photos were distributed by the media.
Deputies arrested 22-year old Andrea Dewayne Howard, also known as Chip or JJ, on unrelated charges Wednesday night. Investigators said he was seen leaving the scene of the shooting. Howard remains jailed on charges of driving with a suspended license, obstruction of justice an a probation violation.
Deputies questioned 22-year old Keonere-Miguel Lovely. Investigators said he was last seen running to a pickup truck an leaving the scene of the crime. Neither man has been charged with the shootings.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Diego Circle of Massachusetts Avenue about 11 p.m. Monday where they found Broderick J. Jermaine, 31, shot to death in a driveway. Michael V. Wells, 24, suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot would to the leg, was found in a nearby park.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lovely should contact Investigator Phillip Martin at (850) 436-9620.
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Drama Presents ‘The Bachelor King’
May 19, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School drama class performed their spring production The Bachelor King Tuesday night and Wednesday.
In the play, Queen Evian uses her dying words to pass succession to the throne to Yokel, a foolish hillbilly everyone agrees needs a wife to help him run the kingdom. Chaos and hilarity ensues as his staff brings in eligible young ladies to vie for the king’s hand.
Cast members in the play were:
Queen Evian -Meagan Ogle
Prince Daft – Jacob Dunsford
Mr. Conroy—Kendral Langford
Hazel – Leann Fillingim
Fredericka Pilfer — Danielle Suggs
Miss Knolls—Katie Born
Lady Greensbrough —Kamryn Brock
Yokel—Trevor Levins
Mrs. Weaver—Abbie Johnson
Mrs. Priscilla Tradewells Ayers Hollander Morley – Morgan Packer
Jane Claxton—Amber Freeman
Sally Valley — Harmoni Till
Kanisha — Megan Bryan
Miss Agatha Peabody —Liberty Peebles
Simon Towel—Julie Hester
Paula O’Toole—Aaliyah Creamer
Pictured top: Amber Freeman as Jane Claxton and Trevor Levins as Yokel. Pictured inset: Katie Born as Miss Knolls. Bottom: Megan Bryan (standing) as Kanisha gets the attention of Leann Fillingim (seated) as Hazel. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Twirler Wins Regional Titles
May 19, 2011
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton won two titles at the Regional Baton Competition last weekend in Wetumpka, Ala. She won the regional titles for 10-12 years old in 1 and 2 baton and also show twirl.
Kendall competed in the open division where she took fourth place in solo, second place in 2 baton and first place in show twirl. She competes on a competition team consisting of three other girls from Pace and Pensacola. They placed first in the open division and also had the highest score in Regional and open of all competing teams combined.
Kendall is instructed by Melissa Majors of Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers.
Escambia School Board Moves Closer To Tobacco-Free Hiring Policy
May 18, 2011
The Escambia County School Board moved closer Tuesday night to implementing a tobacco-free hiring policy.
During their regular meeting, the board voted unanimously to advertise intent to adopt the policy, which would not allow anyone to be hired that had used tobacco products within the last six months. Along with the standard drug test currently administered, new employees would also be tested for tobacco use. The newly hired employees would be required to remain tobacco free as a condition of employment.
The school board believes the new policy would not only mean healthier employees, but also lower costs associated with health insurance costs and lost days at work.
The policy defines tobacco as any product that includes tobacco intended or expected for human use or consumption, including lighted or unlighted cigarettes, cigars, pipes or any other smoking product, chewing tobacco or snuff. The policy applies to tobacco in any form, including lozenges, strips and pouches.
The board will vote on the adoption of the tobacco-free hiring policy at their regular June meeting.
Similar policies have been adopted by other large local employers, including Escambia County, ECUA, Sacred Heart Hospital and Baptist Health Care.
Century CI Donates To Pen Air, NorthEscambia Tornado Relief Effort
May 18, 2011
When they heard about a local drive to help tornado victims, the staff at Century Correctional Institution went to work to collect items to help. Tuesday, Century CI delivered their donations to Byrneville Elementary School, one of the drop-off locations for a tornado victim relief drive sponsored by Pen Air Federal Credit Union and NorthEscambia.com. The donations at Byrneville, Molino Park and Bratt elementary schools, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High will be transported to north Alabama later this week. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Charter Continued Until 2015
May 18, 2011
The Escambia County School District is set to continue a charter school contact with Byrneville Elementary School to allow it to continue operation.
The new contract expected to be approved at the school board’s May 17 meeting will be in effect until June 30, 2015. The school will be funded for 180 students during the 2011-2012 school year.
All charter schools in the county are required to submit regular financial reports to the school district, and the board approves contract addendums to address funding at the schools.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Not Among Florida’s High Performing Schools
May 18, 2011
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were not on the list Tuesday when the Florida Department of Education named 13 Florida school districts as 2011-12 Academically High Performing School Districts.
The high performing school districts have met the rigorous eligibility criteria that includes compliance with class size, earning high school and district grades, and receiving sound financial audits.
In the Florida Panhandle, Gulf and Walton counties were named as having high performing school districts.
Northview Girls Track Team Members Awarded
May 18, 2011
Northview’s Girls Track Team concluded their season with a Tuesday night banquet.
The girls received a certificate, pin, and a letter for first year athletes. In addition, the following awards were given:
- MVA Most Valuable Athlete- Given to the girls that earned the most points.
- MVA Field Events(Jump) Laniecia Gomez
- MVA Field Events (Throwing) Te’Andreia Knight
- MVA Mid & Long Distance -Georgia Goetter
- MVA Short Distance -Melissa Moretz(Not present)
- MVA Hurdles – Laniecia Gomez
- Take One for the Team Award-
- This years motto for the girls. The girls that would push and advance the team.
- Te’Andreia Knight, Naomi Cooler, Cheyanne Garnett, Shelby Nielsen, Jazzlyn Franklin, & Allissa Fiellin
- Heart of the Team Award-
- The girls that continued to uplift the team, positive attendance, help others, and kept it positive on the track and off.
- Laniecia Gomez & Ashley Cunningham
(MVA is Most Valuable Athelete, given to the girl that earned the most points in an event.)
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School Girls Track Team. Pictured below: Take One for the Team Award winners. Pictured bottom: Heat of the Team Award winners Laniecia Gomez and Ashley Cunningham; MVA award winners Laniecia Gomez and Georgia Goetter. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
