Florida public schools will see changes to the curriculum

Reporter: Erika Jackson
Published: Updated:
Charlotte County Public Schools
FILE: Logo of Charlotte County Public Schools. Credit: WINK News/FILE)

Florida schools are preparing for changes to the curriculum. The state education commissioner, Richard Corcoran, went to Charlotte County to speak with school leaders, community members, and parents about what to expect.

Florida students spend 2,340 days in the classroom by the time they graduate high school. State leaders want to make sure the students get the most out of it by revamping educational standards.

These state leaders include Corcoran, who asked for the “purpose” and why “we educate our youth.” To do so, Corcoran spoke with dozens of people at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Center to share their thoughts.

“The change in education has taken 60 years to get where we are at and it is going to take more than five years to change it,” said Diane Van Parys, who lives in Collier County.

“You are talking to the people who are on the front lines with the students every day and know what is best for students,” Corcoran said. “So, having that input is indispensable.”

MORE: Share your thoughts on revising Florida schools

Corcoran will present those proposed changes to Gov. Ron DeSantis by Jan. 1. He also points to the need for more quality teachers in Florida and that starts with higher salaries. In Charlotte County, for instance, teachers start at $45,000. But a new measure proposed by Gov. DeSantis would bring that number up to $47,500.

“That is absolutely going to be a game-changer for parents, students, teachers, grandparents, everybody,” Corcoran said. “The community. The economy.”

“It takes time,” said Kim Amontree, Charlotte County School Board for District 2, of finding and training high-quality teachers. “It takes time to mentor those individuals.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly started the starting salary for a teacher in Charlotte County. It is $45,000 for the 2019-2020 academic year.

 

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