The Florida Council of 100 is making recommendations to keep Florida’s PreK-3 students on the path to success. Dubbed “The Horizons 2040 Project: Prekindergarten Through Grade 3,” the report establishes a more long-term vision for elementary education through “beacons” of educational progress.
The Florida Council of 100, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised of business, civic and academic leaders throughout the Sunshine State. The group frequently works hand-in-hand with the governor and other political leaders in the state Legislature, the judicial branch and the executive branch to make a mark on Florida policies.
Focusing on four pivotal topics, the Horizons 2040 Project plans on honing in on the imperative of academic and social-behavioral preparedness, the need for outstanding teachers and leaders, the promise of personalized learning; and the importance of making informed educational decisions.
According to a press release, up to $3 billion in Florida’s education system can be “repurposed and reinvested” in more proven educational enhancements in the classroom.
Investing in quality teachers, expanding and enhancing the Voluntary Prekindergarten program and creating best practices and programs information are all ways Florida can make a big impact on student learning, the Council said.
“While class size has a proven impact on grades PreK-3, research clearly indicates that at least $2 billion of taxpayer money for the later years would be better spent on things like attracting and retaining top-notch teachers and improving early learning,” stated Pat Geraghty, chair of the Florida Council of 100.
Geraghty said the Council will submit its proposal to the Constitution Revision Commission and hoped the commissioners would give “due consideration” to an idea which the Council believes could kickstart the state’s educational system and close the talent gap.
The Council worked for over a year studying and discussing ways to improve public education, traveling the state and visiting a variety of schools to determine the best practices in the public school system.
"While the state has a five-year, short-term plan to guide K-12 education, the Florida Council of 100 firmly believes that a long-term vision is key to keeping Florida on track to achieve even greater success,” said , chair of the Council of 100’s PreK-12 Education Committee David Dyer.
The Council plans on continuing its work throughout the next 18 months to move beyond PreK-3 and complete the remaining grades 4-12.
“We will seek-out best practices, and effective policies and programs from across the state and nation because the future of Florida depends on an educated citizenry and workforce,” said Kathleen Shanahan, vice chair of the Florida Council of 100.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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