The political buzz might be in Tallahassee for now, but the education buzz will be in Tampa next week as the committee meets that was designated to take a closer look at some of the hottest issues facing the state's education system.
The Keep Florida Learning committee will head to Tampa for its second meeting June 18-19. The two-day meeting will cover basics like the Sunshine Law, but committee members will be discussing the Florida Standards at the meeting as well.
The KFL committee is a result of a promise made by Gov. Rick Scott during his re-election campaign last year. Concerns over a variety of issues like testing, deregulation and education standards have only seemed to grow in recent years, and Scott was determined to prioritize pushing Florida's education system on the path to success.
By December, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart had announced the committee's formation -- after sorting through hundreds of applications, the final 10-member committee was formed in February.
Members include two state lawmakers (Rep. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah, and Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland), the superintendent of Alachua County schools, a teacher and a parent.
Members will also sort through a wave of public commentary on state issues like the implementation of the new Florida Standards and the prevalence of high-stakes testing statewide.
Some comments express concerns over too much classroom time being used for testing purposes. One comment from a parent of a fourth-grader says testing would take up nearly 30 percent of her daughter's classroom time.
"This is unacceptable. It's time for this to change," read the comment.
Other public input seems much more heated, with respondents saying they will continue to opt out of standardized testing entirely.
But many comments seem to convey the message that the department needs to be clear and concise with its goals and ways of implementing the standards. Several comments said higher standards were necessary, but teachers needed more direction on which way to teach Florida students.
"I think it is important for the students that we don't rush into this process and take time for each of us to understand the process and help our students to be successful," read one comment.
The KFL committee has its work cut out for it. Over the last year, the state has overhauled its education system, transitioning into new education standards and participating in a new standardized test. The Florida Department of Education has also hired a third-party vendor to take a closer look at the state's education standards, an issue that could give committee members lots to talk about.
On day two of the meeting, KFL members will meet in groups and then have discussions on education issues. They'll then make recommendations, but specifics on what changes (if any) the committee will make have yet to be determined.
Reach Tampas-based reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
