News from Florida PTA
The Common Core State Standards and Florida

What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI)?  An initiative led by the National
Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to improve educational
outcomes for students by developing a set of common standards in Math and English language
arts.  The standards are voluntary, internationally benchmarked, evidence based and higher than
Florida's current standards.  They will serve to build endurance, rigor and capacity as well as
readiness for the next grade level.  The Common Core State Standards will provide Florida's
children:
*     Equal Access to a Quality Education by eliminating differences in instruction between
schools in different communities.  Florida's children will receive a quality education regardless
of their zip code.
*     College and Career Readiness by shifting focus from memorization and test-taking skills to
critical thinking and problem solving skills which hold greater value in the real world.
*     Preparation for a Global Economy by basing the standards on states with the most effective
educational systems in the United States and countries with the best educational outcomes.  
Florida's children will be better prepared to compete globally for the best jobs and a higher
education.

What will adoption mean for Florida?  Florida's current "Next Generation Standards" for
education are considered among the highest in the nation and will provide the foundation for a
near-seamless transition to Common Core State Standards.  Adoption and Implementation in
Florida will create:
*     Funding Opportunities:  There are several federal funding sources that can be accessed for
implementation of these standards. Adoption of the Common Core State Standards will allow
Florida to apply for these funds.
*     Cost Sharing Opportunities:  Florida will be able to share the cost of required, periodic
updates in its K-12 curriculum, assessment development, and professional development with
other states who have adopted the standards saving Florida money that can be used for other
priorities in education.
Florida PTA supports the Common Core State Standards and has been working as a pilot state
under a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Please see the attached press release
for additional information.  Any questions not addressed here may be directed to the the Florida
PTA CCSSI Chair, Cindy Gerhardt at

c-gerhardt@att.net or by phone at (850) 384-0595.


Click the link for the Press release:

Florida PTA Press Release 060210
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In keeping with our policy of providing quality education for young people, Florida PTA goes one
step further by assisting qualified students who wish to continue their education
beyond high school. Florida PTA offers four scholarship opportunities funded by
money derived from Honorary Life Memberships, Scholarship Fund meal functions
and other contributions. *A non-renewable University scholarship is
awarded each academic year in the amount of $2,000. *Florida PTA offers nonrenewable
scholarships in the amount of $1,000 for the following: Vocational/Technical, Community/Junior
College and Fine Arts.
The minimum eligibility requirements are as follows - Students Must:
1. Graduate from a Florida High School in the 2011-2012 school year.
2. Be a member of their high school’s PTA/PTSA (PTA/PTSA must be in good standing).
3. Be a resident of the state of Florida.
4. Be a US Citizen.
5. Plan to continue their education in the upcoming school year at a school or program located in
the state of Florida.
6. Fully complete the application and submit letters of recommendation, an essay, and copies of
their official high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores and signed copy of parent/legal guardian’s
most recent tax return.
7. Meet the additional requirements listed in the applicable scholarship packet.  Additional factors
will be taken in account in selecting a winner (e.g. need, special circumstances, extracurricular
activities and honors etc.). The financial need of the applicant is taken into consideration.

We invite all interested students to apply. Scholarship documents are located on the Florida
PTA website ( www.floridapta.org/scholarships.html ) For further information and application
forms,
you may also contact your guidance counselor at your school or contact the Florida PTA State
Office
at 800-373-5782 or 407-855-7604
.**Deadline for all applications is Feb. 4, 2012. All applications must be postmarked
by that date in order to be considered.**