Florida Moves Forward Planning Transition to Digital Instructional Materials

Friday, September 21, 2012

DOE Press Office (850) 245-0413

Florida Moves Forward Planning Transition to Digital Instructional Materials

Tallahassee, Fla., Sept. 21, 2012 - Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today announced the creation of a new group that will plan Florida's transition to digital instructional materials. House Bill 5101 established the Digital Instructional Materials Work Group during the 2012 Legislative Session to ensure that our state's school districts are ready for the digital instructional material requirements that begin in 2015.

"As technology continues to advance, it is essential that our schools are ready to integrate digital instructional materials into the curriculum," said Public Schools Deputy Chancellor Mary Jane Tappen. "This is an important priority for our state and the taskforce will help guide the transition so educators and students are prepared to master subject area content in new ways."

The taskforce includes nine members and will focus on developing an implementation plan that specifies options for providing access for students; providing content by subject area; providing training and professional development for teachers; and identifying funding sources, including the reprioritization of existing resources and recommendations for new funding. The first meeting will be in Orlando on Sept. 25, 2012.

The members of the Digital Instructional Materials Work Group are listed below.