The purpose of the rule amendment is to amend the standards relating to science to align with current benchmarks and grade levels. The effect is consistency within standards, benchmarks, and grade levels.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-1.09401: Student Performance Standards
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule amendment is to amend the standards relating to science to align with current benchmarks and grade levels. The effect is consistency within standards, benchmarks, and grade levels.
SUMMARY: The rule is amended to provide consistency within current benchmarks and grade levels.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.02 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.03 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: February 19, 2008, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: 400 South Monroe Street, Room LL03, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Director, Office of Mathematics and Science, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida; [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-1.09401 Student Performance Standards.

(1) Standards to benchmark student achievement serve as guides to best practices for local curriculum designers to help schools implement school improvement strategies to raise student achievement. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, the reading and language arts benchmarked standards for reading and language arts referenced below in paragraph (1)(a), describe what students should know and be able to do at grade level progression. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the mathematics and science benchmarked standards for mathematics and science referenced below in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), describe what students should know and be able to do at grade level progression from kindergarten to grade 8 and for each of the mathematics content areas of: algebra, calculus, discrete mathematics, financial literacy, geometry, probability, statistics, and trigonometry, and each of the science content areas of: earth and space science, life sceince, physical science, and nature of science for grades 9-12. The benchmarked standards in paragraphs (1)(d)(b)-(g) of this rule describe what students should know and be able to do at four progression levels (grades Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) in the subjects of the arts, health/physical education, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and social studies. Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma as incorporated by reference in paragraph (1)(h) of this rule describe what certain students with a disability should be able to do at three (3) proficiency levels (independent, supported, and participatory). Public schools shall provide appropriate instruction to assist students in the achievement of these standards. These standards and benchmarks are contained in the following publications and are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule.

(a) Sunshine State Standards – Reading and Language Arts, July 2007,

(b) Sunshine State Standards – Mathematics, 2007,

(c) Sunshine State Standards – Science, 2008 1996,

(d) Sunshine State Standards – Social Studies, 1996,

(e) Sunshine State Standards – Foreign Languages, 1996,

(f) Sunshine State Standards – The Arts, 1996, and

(g) Sunshine State Standards – Health/Physical Education, 1996, and

(h) Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma, 1999.

Copies of these publications may be obtained from the Division of Public Schools, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(2) Each district school board shall incorporate the Sunshine State Standards contained herein into the district Pupil Progression Plan.

(3) The Sunshine State Standards shall serve as the basis for statewide assessments.

Specific Authority 1001.02 FS. Law Implemented 1001.03 FS. History–New 6-18-96, Amended 9-28-99, 3-1-07, 7-25-07, 11-25-07,_________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Director, Office of Mathematics and Science, Department of Education
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Director, Office of Mathematics and Science, Department of Education
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 7, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 7, 2007