Florida Matters: Testing and Education Quality (October 30, 2009)

On Television

Innovation

This week, we take a journey through Florida’s relationship with innovation, from past well-known inventions all the way to cutting-edge research and developments going on today. Host Irene Maher introduces us to Peter Lefferson, an inventor who embodies the saying: “Necessity is the mother of invention”. We travel to Florida’s High-Tech Corridor to discover what makes Florida such a prime location to do research, and contributing reporter Larry Elliston heads to a well-known area hospital that soon may find a cure for cancer

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On the Radio

Testing and Education Quality

A national conference this week in Jacksonville focused on quality education. In Florida, that quality is often measured by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, and teacher bonuses, school funding and more are tied to the results. A few participants in this week’s conference join us to talk about measuring quality in schools and how much educators are teaching to the test. And we’ll look at one local charter school working to improve Florida’s low high-school graduation rate.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1

Radio Guests

Mary Beth CoraceAssistant Principal and IB Coordinator at Palm Harbor University High School

John PienoChairman of the Florida Sterling Council

Rick WolfePrincipal at Mavericks High School of Pinellas County

Constance JonesChief Academic Officer for Lee County Schools

Audio extras

John Pieno says Florida is being looked at by some other states who want to use our education system as a model. (1:26)

Rick Wolfe explains how Mavericks High works to involve parents in their children's education. (1:02)

Wolfe says the focus at Mavericks High is not a vocational charter school. The curriculum is tailored to each student’s needs, whether its job skills or preparation for college or a military career. (0:52)

Wolfe says colleges should not look at a degree from Mavericks High any differently than a degree from one of Pinellas County's other public schools. (0:45)

TV: Related Links

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Enterprise Florida

Florida High-Tech Corridor

Tampa Bay Inventors Council

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Radio: Related Links

American Society for Quality - Education Resources

Baldridge Criteria for Excellence - Education

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Information

Florida Sterling Council

Lee County Public Schools

National Quality Education Conference in Jacksonville

Palm Harbor University High School

Mavericks High Schools

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.