Florida recently updated its Math and Science
standards for all students. These Florida
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
(NGSSS) are one of the nation’s best.
Florida PROMiSE helps teachers understand
the new standards and how to take the necessary
actions for their students to learn to
think critically, solve problems and increase
their math and science success. Florida
PROMiSE strives to improve the math and
science achievement of all students.
Florida PROMiSE is a project designed and
delivered by the following partners:
• Universities (USF, FSU, UF)
• School Districts (Duval, Hillsborough, Miami
-Dade & Seminole)
• Educational Consortia (Heartland Educational
Consortium, Northeast Florida Educational
Consortium, & Panhandle Area
Educational Consortium)
• Florida Virtual School
• Horizon Research, Inc. Who Funds Florida PROMiSE? In February 2008, The Florida Department of
Education approved a proposal by the partnership.
It will initially serve the partner
districts and later all Florida schools. The
Florida Department of Education has set
aside $24,000,000 over three years for
PROMiSE. These funds come from the U.S.
Department of Education as part of the “No
Child Left Behind” program. Why is PROMiSE Necessary? Florida’s new standards are a great beginning
but are only a first step. They provide a plan
for what students should know and be able to
do. PROMiSE will create the necessary programs
that will change these plans into actions
that will help students meet these goals
What is New About the New Mathematics and Science Standards? Florida educators and professionals were
chosen by the FLDOE to write the Next Generation
Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS).
They used research from around the world to
create these new standards.
The NGSSS emphasize:
• important concepts
• the nature of science
• scientific inquiry
• analytical thinking
• problem-solving
The NGSSS also reflect what business people
and educators think will make students
ready for college and high-paying jobs. The
standards expect graduates to be good decision
makers and will better prepare students
for the future. Graduates will also be able to
compete with other students from around
the world if they have gained these abilities.
Math and Science Grades K—8
For grades K—8, the number of standards in
each grade is greatly reduced, with each grade
focusing on a few “Big Ideas.” This means
there will be much more in-depth teaching for
each topic and more emphasis on problemsolving
skills. The goal is to deepen students’
understanding and to provide a stronger foundation
for learning difficult and abstract concepts
in upper grades and in high school.
The new standards also include Access Points
for students with disabilities, allowing them
access to the general education curriculum.
Math and Science Grades 9-12
For grades 9—12, the mathematics and science
standards are organized differently. Instead
of by grade level (as they were with the
old standards), math and science topics are
now organized into “Bodies of Knowledge”
(major concept areas). These major
concepts include the following:
High School Math Concept Areas:
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Probability
• Statistics
• Trigonometry
• Discrete Math
• Calculus
• Financial Literacy
High School Science Concept Areas:
• Nature of Science
• Life Science
• Earth and Space Science
• Physical Science
The Florida Next Generation standards and
the standards set by national organizations
such as the Advanced Placement Program
(AP), the International Baccalaureate Program
(IB), and Dual Enrollment standards
will guide the development of advanced
elective high school courses.