Digital Learning Tab: This current tab provides information and links related to digital learning plans and standards, the adoption of computer science standards and state definitions for personalized learning. Visit the Instructional Materials, Procurement and Professional Learning Tabs for more information on this state.
Florida hasa statewide 5-year strategic technology plan, required in s. 1001.20, Florida Statutes.
Florida has a requirement for districts to submit a technology plan that is tied to the Digital Classroom Plan and includesfive areas: Student Performance Outcomes; Digital Learning and Technology Infrastructure; ofessional Development; Digital Tools and Online Assessment Support
All review of instructional materials is an online process and includes digital instructional materials. The specifications describe the courses for which materials are being sought, as well as cite the standards that the instructional materials are expected to meet. In addition, they contain the research base that outlines the components of effective instructional materials. The evaluation forms are developed from the research contained in the instructional materials specifications document. Each reviewer is responsible for completing and submitting an evaluation electronically for each assigned publishers submission on or before the deadline. Each submission shall be evaluated at the individual benchmark level for accuracy and completeness, as well as holistically for overall value as an instructional tool.
For purposes of state adoption, the term “instructional materials” means items having intellectual content that by design serve as a major tool for assisting in the instruction of a subject or course. These items may be available in bound, unbound, kit, or package form and may consist of hardback or softbacked textbooks, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electronic media and computer courseware/software. A publisher or manufacturer providing instructional materials as a single bundle shall also make the instructional materials available as separate and unbundled items. A publisher may also offer sections of state-adopted instructional materials in digital or electronic versions at reduced rates to districts, schools, and teachers.
Florida does not have a unique definition for accessible educational/instructional materials in state statute or in state rule. Rather, definitions on accessibility are provided through technical assistance papers (TAP), guidance papers, and resource materials. The Federal Definition of accessible instructional materials as noted in IDEA 2004 (20 U.S.C. [United States Code] 1474(e)(3)(C)) has been provided to all Florida LEAs through technical assistance papers (TAP), and resource materials on AIM. Updated information on accessible educational materials are currently under review. Section 1006.29, Florida Statutes (F.S.) defines instructional materials as “items having intellectual content that by design serve as a major tool for assisting in the instruction of a subject or course”; and further specifies that they are available in bound, unbound, kit or package form; include hardback or softback textbooks, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electroni
Florida does not have a unique definition for accessible educational/instructional materials in state statute or in state rule. Rather, definitions on accessibility are provided through technical assistance papers (TAP), guidance papers, and resource materials. The W3C Principles of Accessibility have been provided to Florida’s LEAs through resource materials, technical assistance, and professional development activities as the guidelines for accessibility to digital technologies.
Guidelines and PoliciesEach district school board is responsible for the content of all instructional materials used in a classroom, whether adopted and purchased from the state-adopted instructional materials list, adopted and purchased through a district instructional materials program under s. 1006.283, or otherwise purchased or made available in the classroom.
July 1, 2017, House Bill 989 was passed, impacting changes to Section 1006.28, F.S., and Section 1006.40, F.S., also removing the requirement that all adopted instructional materials for students are digital.
State statute states that each district school board shall use its annual allocation only for the purchase of instructional materials that align with state standards and are included on the state-adopted list, except as otherwise authorized in paragraphs (b) and (c). (b) Up to 50 percent of the annual allocation may be used for: 1. The purchase of library and reference books and nonprint materials. 2. The purchase of other materials having intellectual content which assist in the instruction of a subject or course. These materials may be available in bound, unbound, kit, or package form and may consist of hardbacked or softbacked textbooks, novels, electronic content, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electronic media, computer courseware or software, and other commonly accepted instructional tools as prescribed by district school board rule. 3. The repair and renovation of textbooks and library books and replacements for items which were part of previously purchased
Florida Statute 1003.4282 lists an online course as a required element prior to graduation.
Florida’s AT; UDL Loan Library includes access to accessibility solutions and instructional technologies (interactive whiteboards, interactive displays, virtual reality technologies, student response systems, mobile technologies, cloud based technologies, assistive technologies, augmentative communication systems) along with professional development support for the use of these and related technologies by learners with disabilities to improve outcomes.Support, professional development, instructional materials, and assistive technology for students who are blind or visually impaired is provided through the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. Support, professional development, instructional materials, and assistive technology support for students who are deaf or hard of hearing is provided through the Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Support and professional development for students with disabilities in general is provided
The Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, supports a statewide online Assistive Technology; Universal Design for Learning (AT; UDL) Loan Library. Training and support for the selection and acquisition of accessible technologies is provided through multiple state and federally supported discretionary projects and through a network of Local Assistive Technology Specialists who serve all Florida LEAs.
All review of instructional materials is an online process and includes digital instructional materials. The specifications describe the courses for which materials are being sought, as well as cite the standards that the instructional materials are expected to meet. In addition, they contain the research base that outlines the components of effective instructional materials. The evaluation forms are developed from the research contained in the instructional materials specifications document. Each reviewer is responsible for completing and submitting an evaluation electronically for each assigned publishers submission on or before the deadline. Each submission shall be evaluated at the individual benchmark level for accuracy and completeness, as well as holistically for overall value as an instructional tool.
Florida hosts instructional materials center that are specific to students with sensory impairment and outlined in Florida Statute. The Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. The Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Both these project receive dedicated state funding for the production of braille, large print, captioned materials, and other materials specific to the needs of students with sensory impairments.
State funds are provided directly for the purchase of instructional materials via a state budget instructional materials line item that includes the option to purchase instructional materials and/or does not prohibit the purchase of digital instructional materials. State funds are provided through the Digital Classroom Plan allocation that may be used for digital devices. Digital devices may also be purchased with instructional materials funding.
Florida does not procure resources for schools or districts on a statewide level. Each school district has the constitutional authority, from state and/or local resources, to procure and use digital resources and innovative educational technologies as they deem appropriate to meet educational goals and requirements. The state has state level contracts for state adopted instructional materials but does not procure those materials for districts. The adoption of materials is a statute driven process. There is a five-year adoption cycle and all bid materials are reviewed by two state or national content experts (in the event of a tie a third will review). District specialists also provide reviews and the review process is open to the public. All materials are reviewed online. State statute requires that beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, all adopted instructional materials for students in kindergarten through grade 12 must be provided in an electronic or digital format. If a district certifies that it has met the obligation to provide digital instructional materials aligned to standards for core courses, then the district may use state allocated funds for the purchase of technology.
All vendors who bid must provide their materials in electronic or digital format for the purpose of review.
July 1, 2017, House Bill 989 was passed, impacting changes to Section 1006.28, F.S., and Section 1006.40, F.S., also removing the requirement that all adopted instructional materials for students in grades. Since all materials must be accessible to all students, the publisher is instructed to complete a UDL form, which is reviewed at the beginning of the evaluation process by those identified as state instructional materials reviewers pursuant to requirements specified in section 1006.34, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and State Board of Education Rule 6A-7.0710 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). More information about state policies and procedures for the Florida instructional materials adoption process is available at . The FLDOE Bureau of Standards and Instructional Support provides publishers a UDL Rubric on accessibility and transformability to be completed for all instructional materials submitted to the FLDOE for review.