Large-scale improvement in science and mathematics education require a
shared vision and commitment to action of an array of stakeholders who
have limited understanding of what is needed and lack a forum for effective
communication. We will bring together key groups in a statewide Summit
to create this shared vision and commitment and to develop specific, achievable
policy and legislative outcomes to be pursued for at least three years.
Legislators, the Governor's office, Florida Department of Education Officials,
Business and Industry representatives, and Science and Mathematics educators
at all levels will convene in a one-and-a-half day meeting to establish
a common understanding of the need for science and mathematics literacy
in our workforce, the challenges of today's schools, effective methods
of science and mathematics instructions, the nature and dimensions of
creating change in mathematics and science instruction, and action plans
necessary to achieve them.
The Summit will be preceded by two planning
sessions of STEM education leaders in the state to identify priority actions,
and to develop brief White Papers for distribution to policy-makers.
The Summit will result in written action plans that will constitute drafts
of bills and Florida Department of Education policy statements. Together
these will improve the environment for science and mathematics learning
in Florida's schools. A follow-up component assures that these recommendations
are kept under active consideration, if necessary, for three years and
thus three full legislative cycles.
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