How Much Does the State Allocate for Instructional Materials This Budget Year?

OnFebruary 20, 2008, Dr. Debra Robinson requestedinformation regarding item # CLS1-2008-2009 Instructional Materials Adoption and Program Budget

REQUEST:

How much does the state allocate for instructional materials this budget year? How much must be spent on instructional materials? What else can these dollars be used for? Did these various committees specifically look for positive multicultural images and content? How will these materials assist with the infusion of the contributions of Africans and African Americans as outlined in state law?

RESPONSE:

How much does the state allocate for instructional materials this budget year?

The total of the State Categorical Allocation for Instructional Materials for 2007-2008 is $16,740,713 based on the 3rd calculation. $931,745 of that is designated for Library Media. The instructional materials and science lab materials and supplies portion is $15,808,968.

How much must be spent on instructional materials?

All of the allocation must be spent on instructional materials. This is a categorical allocation and per Statute 1006.40, it must be used for the purchase of instructional materials, library books and reference books (and the repair of books.)

What else can these dollars be used for?

All of the allocation must be spent on instructional materials. This is a categorical allocation and per Statute 1006.40, it must be used for the purchase of instructional materials, library books and reference books (and the repair of books.)

Did these various committees specifically look for positive multicultural images and content?

Yes. Each committee member receives training on the evaluation of instructional materials prior to conducting their evaluation. The training is based on the FDOE’s training program and reflects the statutory requirement that recommended materials must “accurately portray the ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, and racial diversity of our society.” Statute 1006.31 (4)(a). Multicultural representation (portrayal of gender, ethnicity, age, work situations, and social groups including multicultural fairness and advocacy) is a criteria on which content is evaluated.

How will these materials assist with the infusion of the contributions of Africans and African Americans as outlined in state law?

This year’s adoptions are comprehensive core reading and intervention reading materials. Publishers have complied with Statute 1006.31(4) (a) by including a wide variety of multiculturally representative stories, biographies (e.g. Coretta Scott King, Harriet Tubman), social studies themed leveled readers, illustrations and photographs of Africans and African Americans, and selections written by African American authors (e.g. Christine King Farris, Rosa Parks). The stories and readings contained in the core and intervention reading programs, in conjunction with resources found in existing classroom libraries, in each school’s library media center, and the Multicultural curriculum and the African, African American infusion curriculum work together to meet the requirements of Statute 1003.42 (h).