Phil's Update | Winter 2024
UF Lastinger Center for Learning
Creating scalable educational innovations to improve teaching and learning.
As confirmed by a fellow Phil , spring is in full swing and so is the Lastinger Center!?
This April, we’ll be hosting three regional convenings to share the preliminary results from our 10-week Listening Tour to inform how we can advocate for and enhance the quality of K-12 mathematics education in Florida. Keep an eye out for convening invitations and look forward to even more Listening Tour outcomes in the coming months.?
In the meantime, I’m headed to Tallahassee for Gator Day on February 14. If you’re in the Capitol, stop by the Lastinger Center and New Worlds Reading tables. Our team is eager to connect and share details about the great work we're honored to be part of.
Below you’ll have a chance to read more about our emerging work with purpose-built AI, see updates about the statewide Literacy Micro-Credentials and Math Matrix, and celebrate impact with our New Worlds Reading Initiative, which recently reached 237,000 enrolled children - a new high-water mark for our team.
Cheers, Phil?
Mathematics
Math Matrix Pilot Launch?
On January 22, 250 mathematics educators got started in the statewide pilot of the Math Matrix . Over the next four months, these educators will learn how to give each and every student access to high-quality mathematics instruction, develop deep mathematical knowledge in teaching key concepts and implement research-based instructional strategies. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of the pilot later this year.
New Worlds Reading
Off to a Good Start
In an op-ed with the Tampa Bay Times , New Worlds Reading Associate Director Shaunté Duggins describes the importance of literacy on child development and how New Worlds Reading is impacting students, families and teachers.?
Regional Partners
In an effort to boost literacy rates across Florida, New Worlds Reading has launched its Regional Partners Program . Over the next five years, New Worlds Reading will partner with trusted community organizations to host parent and family literacy workshops, community literacy events and professional learning opportunities for educators.
Annual Enrollment Report
The New Worlds Reading 2022-2023 Annual Enrollment Report shares insights into the program’s impact such as:
Read the report to learn more about home literacy practices and children’s reading achievement based on both survey feedback from families involved in the program and data obtained from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).
Book deliveries to VPK students
This summer, we announced that New Worlds Reading can now serve students in public or private VPK programs in addition to K-5 students in public schools or public charter schools. We’re eager to start delivering books to those who have already applied and reach all of the nearly 46,000 eligible VPK students! Apply here .
领英推荐
Literacy
Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization
The Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization provides coaches with focused professional learning opportunities at every level. This spring, 75 new and experienced coaches from across the state of Florida are participating in a targeted pathway to meet them where they are on their coaching journey with both in-person and online professional learning opportunities.
Advanced Literacy Micro-Credential
We are thrilled to introduce the development of our Advanced Literacy Micro-Credential. This new offering will expand our suite of Literacy Micro-Credentials and is designed to elevate the professional journey of educators dedicated to literacy.
The Advanced Literacy Micro-Credential is uniquely formulated to address the nuanced needs of Florida Reading Endorsed educators, address system levels of support for reading instruction and intervention, and empower educators with deeper insights and tools to foster student achievement in literacy. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming months about this new strategic resource.
Early Learning
Early Learning Principal
Over the last few weeks, Tyran W. Butler has been getting established with our team as Early Learning Principal . She’ll be at Children’s Day in Tallahassee on February 27 to meet some of our early learning partners and advocates at the Capitol. Stop by the Lastinger Center table in the rotunda to say “hello”!
Program Updates
From Florida to Massachusetts to Louisiana, our early learning team has been continuing to make impacts on early childhood education, one cohort at a time. We look forward to sharing updates this summer about our new and expanding early learning programs .
Tech & Data
The Lastinger Center believes that purpose-built AI has the potential to enhance human capacity to draw on themes, make recommendations, and impact student learning outcomes. Whether that be through student digital learning services like Math Nation , data infrastructure like the Data Lagoon , or technology-enhanced learning with Kibeam Wand? Reading System , purpose-built AI will help us create scalable, sustainable educational programs, products and projects that can contribute to the success of students.
Research Round-Up
Read about amplifying reading engagement with an interactive wand, building an AI-powered tool to help students with math, international conferences and more in the latest edition of our Research Round-Up. ?
So thrilled to see the innovative work coming from the #LastingerCenter! ?? As Steve Jobs once said - Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Your efforts in AI and literacy are truly leading the way! Keep up the amazing work. ????