Florida

State Lead Organization & Contact l State Profile l Achieving the Dream Priorities l State Documents

STATE LEAD ORGANIZATION & CONTACT

Florida Department of Education
Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1344
Tallahassee , FL 32399-0400
Tel: 850/245-9482
Fax: 850/245-9525
www.fldoe.org

The Florida Community College System (FCCS) has 28 institutions serving more than 800,000 students at more than 173 sites. The FCCS was created in 1957 when the Florida Legislature established the Division of Community Colleges within the State Department of Education to serve the citizens of Florida by offering the first two years of a baccalaureate degree, vocational education, and adult continuing education. The Florida Community College System has received national recognition for its coordination of local and state interests. In pursuing its mission of helping colleges address local needs and challenges, the FCCS strives to maintain sufficient local authority and flexibility while preserving appropriate accountability to the state.

State Contacts:

Patricia Windham, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Evaluation
E-mail: pat.windham@fldoe.org

STATE PROFILE

A quick overview of state demographics and the state higher education system.
(View Full State Profile )

ACHIEVING THE DREAM WORKPLAN PRIORITIES

1. Data and Performance Measurement - Use state student data system to promote institutional and state strategies to improve student outcomes.

2. Student Success - Use state student data system to promote institutional and state strategies to improve student outcomes. Improve the alignment between high school graduation requirements and successful transition into college-level courses so that the rate of secondary to postsecondary transition without the need for remediation is improved. Set standards on the student learning outcomes that each student should be be able to demonstrate upon completion of the general education discipline requirements.

3. K-12 and Postsecondary Alignment - Improve the alignment between high school graduation requirements and successful transition into college-level courses so that the rate of secondary to postsecondary transition without the need for remediation is improved.

4. Transfer and Articulation - Maintain current articulation relationship with the State University System while expanding concurrent-use opportunities and Florida Community College System programs.

5. Financial Aid - Increase both the amount for need-based aid and the number of applications for it.

STATE DOCUMENTS

> STATE WORKPLAN

(View Full State Workplan  ) **UPDATED**

> LISTENING TOUR

In 2004, the Futures Project of Brown University led a Policy Listening Tour for Achieving the Dream in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Virginia. In each state, Achieving the Dream representatives met with stakeholders to discuss existing state policies and programs that promote student success and opportunities to advance new policies. The meetings included leaders from community colleges, other educational institutions and systems, state legislative and executive branches, and business and advocacy groups. Besides a summary report , the Listening Tour produced state-level findings for Florida .

In advance of Listening Tour meetings, each state prepared background materials for attendees. These materials include information on the state’s community college system, descriptions of current (as of 2004) policies and programs related to student success, and information on state data collection and use. Download background materials for Florida .

> PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH REPORT FOR FLORIDA

In 2004, a national study examined public perceptions of community colleges and ways to raise the profile of these institutions. It found that Americans have highly favorable attitudes toward community colleges. People value community colleges because they provide opportunity for individuals to better themselves. Yet the public has limited awareness of the struggles community colleges face as they try to meet increasing demands with fewer resources. Besides the national report , the study produced state-level findings for Florida .

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