FSCA NEWS

Each school district is invited to select the District Scholar(s) who will represent them in the Sunshine State Scholars program (SSSP), a competition that provides the opportunity for every district in Florida to showcase excellent student performance in mathematics and science. Scholars must be graduating seniors who are distinguished in math and science. Districts may set up their own procedures to select their scholar(s). District Scholars must be available to participate in the regional competition on Jan. 9, 2008, and if selected as a Regional Scholar, to compete in the state competition in Tallahassee March 8-11, 2008.

On Jan. 9, 2008, the District Scholars in each region of the state will participate in a common mathematics/science assessment, which will identify the 10 Regional Sunshine State Scholars. A team of mathematics and science professors from universities throughout Florida will develop and administer the assessment. Assessment activities will become available through the Sunshine State Scholars Web site at www.unf.edu/dept/sunshine, and will be shared with educators throughout the state. The top scholar from each of the six regions who performs highest in their regional competition will be designated a Regional Scholar. In addition, the highest performing four from the remaining 89 District Scholars participating in the regional competition will also be designated as Regional Scholars. This year, the SSSP is developing an online system for designating District Scholars, and superintendents will be notified of how to use the system as soon as it is available (operational by Nov. 1, 2007). District offices should submit their District Scholars’ information by Nov.16, 2007.

If you have questions or need clarification about this program, please contact Lance King at lance.king@fldoe.org or (850) 245-0667. You may also contact Dr. William Caldwell at wcaldwel@unf.edu or (904) 620-2496.