Florida Senate - 2012                            (NP)    SR 2064
       
       
       
       By Senator Flores
       
       
       
       
       38-01859A-12                                          20122064__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the invaluable contribution
    3         of digital learning to improved student success and
    4         expressing gratitude to parents, teachers, and digital
    5         learning providers for embracing digital learning in
    6         order to better the educational opportunities of
    7         students in this state.
    8  
    9         WHEREAS, education in the digital age must provide students
   10  with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in college
   11  and in challenging 21st century careers, and
   12         WHEREAS, according to the National Assessment for
   13  Educational Progress, a third of fourth graders in America, and
   14  47 percent of fourth graders in this state, don’t read on grade
   15  level, and
   16         WHEREAS, according to the National Governors Association,
   17  more than 1 million students in America don’t earn a high school
   18  diploma, and
   19         WHEREAS, increased demand for skilled workers, a shortage
   20  of effective educators, and decreasing state revenues are
   21  obstacles to providing a high-quality education, and
   22         WHEREAS, digital learning can expand access to rigorous and
   23  relevant curriculum with highly effective instructors,
   24  regardless of where students reside, and
   25         WHEREAS, digital learning can extend the reach of highly
   26  effective teachers in high-demand subjects, such as science and
   27  math, and
   28         WHEREAS, digital learning can offer a cost-effective
   29  approach to providing a high-quality education, and
   30         WHEREAS, digital learning can customize education to allow
   31  students to advance at their own pace, to globally expand the
   32  body of knowledge that a student is able to access, better
   33  prepare students for college and the world of work, and to
   34  provide students access to real-world instruction, and
   35         WHEREAS, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former West
   36  Virginia Governor Bob Wise convened the Digital Learning
   37  Council, a diverse group of national leaders in education,
   38  technology, government, business, and think tanks, to develop
   39  state-level policies that harness the power of technology to
   40  ensure that each and every student receives a high-quality
   41  education, and
   42         WHEREAS, the Digital Learning Council developed 10 Elements
   43  of High Quality Digital Learning, which provides the framework
   44  to transform education for the digital age, and
   45         WHEREAS, Digital Learning Now! is a national effort to
   46  raise awareness of the benefits of digital learning to improve
   47  student outcomes, and
   48         WHEREAS, the Sunshine State leads the nation in
   49  transforming education for the digital age in a manner
   50  accountable to all Floridians, and
   51         WHEREAS, Florida is one of the only states in the nation to
   52  provide all students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, with
   53  a robust offering of digital learning options, including the
   54  nationally recognized Florida Virtual School, and
   55         WHEREAS, February 1, 2012, is being recognized nationally
   56  as “Digital Learning Day” in order to raise awareness of the
   57  transformational power of digital learning and to encourage
   58  policymakers to put the needs of the student first by expanding
   59  digital learning opportunities, free of the restrictions of
   60  time, place, and pace, NOW, THEREFORE,
   61  
   62  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   63  
   64         That the members of the Senate recognize digital learning
   65  and its contribution to improving student preparedness for
   66  postsecondary education and 21st century careers, and reaffirm
   67  the Senate’s continued commitment to expanding digital learning
   68  for the benefit of students and all Floridians.
   69         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution, with
   70  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Florida
   71  Virtual School, school district virtual instruction programs,
   72  and approved digital learning providers as a tangible token of
   73  the sentiments of the Florida Senate.