Phil's Update | Spring 2024
UF Lastinger Center for Learning
Creating scalable educational innovations to improve teaching and learning.
Since 2002, the UF Lastinger Center for Learning has set out to help teachers teach and students learn. With support from local school districts, community organizations, educators, researchers, students, families and legislators, we’ve been working together to support three critical milestones: 1) kindergarten readiness, 2) third-grade reading proficiency and 3) ninth-grade algebra proficiency. With the signing of HB 1361 , the Lastinger Center is codified into state law, and we are honored and humbled to continue our efforts to enhance student learning outcomes. We are elated by the unanimous support in both chambers of the legislature for HB 1361, following the same level of support received for HB 3, the enacting legislation behind the New Worlds Reading Initiative in 2021.?
HB 1361 also names the UF Lastinger Center as the administrator for a new tutoring program designed to equip districts, educators, and students with resources and skills to support one-on-one and small group tutoring instruction in reading and mathematics.
We’re eager to get to work supporting districts and students with tutoring resources with the passage of this legislation.
Read on for updates about the other ways we are partnering across the state (and globe) to advance our mission.
Cheers,
Phil?
Mathematics
Reconnecting at our Math Listening Tour Convenings
After 10 weeks of gathering perspectives on our statewide Listening Tour last fall, we invited partners, community members and Listening Tour participants to three Math Listening Tour Convenings .
We reviewed the tour’s research questions and methodology, discussed preliminary results and emerging themes, and shared perspectives and insights. These convenings ?grow our understanding of math education needs and build our capacity to advocate for impactful changes in Florida education.
Stay tuned for the upcoming research briefs this fall and policy recommendations by the end of the year.?
Continuing statewide professional learning
Educators and adults who provide instructional and/or tutoring support have the potential to make a significant impact on student learning.
We’re partnering with the Naples Children and Education Foundation to design, build and pilot an online learning pathway within the Math Matrix ?to build foundational math knowledge and skills with the Out-of-School Initiative program staff.
The OST Initiative serves 3,000 students across Immokalee.
Early Learning
领英推荐
Continuing statewide professional learning
Since 2015, the UF Lastinger Center has partnered with the Florida Department of Education and the Division of Early Learning to provide high-quality professional learning opportunities to more than 35,000 early childhood educators across the state.?Our renewed partnership will allow the Center to continue to provide high-quality professional learning content at no cost to the learner, making educator growth accessible and on-demand. We look forward to offering these programs later this year.?
Expanding professional learning for Spanish-speaking educators?
Launching this fall, our new CDA Pathway in Spanish program will connect 40 early childhood educators across Broward, Duval and Palm Beach counties. Educators will have access to online professional learning, job-embedded practice, communities of practice and technical assistance as they earn their CDA, a nationally recognized professional certification in the field of early childhood education. Stay tuned for more updates later this year.
New Worlds Reading?
Surpasses 5 million books delivered to Florida families
With support from caregivers, educators, policymakers and community partners, New Worlds Reading has shipped more than 5 million free books to Florida families. Since December 2021, the program has expanded to voluntary pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, shared 450 interactive reading guides and implemented professional learning for teachers.
Literacy
Literacy Micro-Credentials expand?offerings?
Our team created an additional offering of the Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential due to high demand from instructional personnel across the state.?
Since January 2022, more than 10,000 instructional personnel from the Florida Keys up to the Panhandle have engaged in either the Emergent, Elementary or Secondary Literacy Micro-Credential. Since the stipend expansion last summer, learners have earned over $10 million in stipends.
Lastinger Center at a Glance
Tech & Data
On April 22, Ginno Kelley, Lastinger Center Assistant Director of Learning Design, participated in the Education Innovators Forum with leading global education development organizations in thought leadership, policy, funding, and implementation. Dr. Kelley contributed to the Unpacking Critical Elements of Education Digital Transformation panel and shared the Lastinger Center’s AI work , including:
Leadership for Professional Learning Symposium
This year’s Leadership for Professional Learning Symposium will be hosted in Santiago, Chile, by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso at the Center for Advanced Studies and Extension – PUCV. Register today to join nearly 100 rich dialogues from a variety of researchers and practitioners focused on ensuring that those responsible for supporting student learning outcomes are also supported in their learning journeys.?