Florida Department of Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson announced to Historic City News reporters in St Augustine today that he has appointed St Johns County community activist Kim Kendall to serve with him on the newly formed Florida 2.0 Digital Learning Group.
Commissioner Robinson created, and is chairing, the Digital Learning Group in response to the Florida State Board of Education’s call for a comprehensive plan to ensure Florida remains a national leader in digital learning.
“I am humbled and honored by Commissioner Robinson’s confidence in my commitment to and experience with seeking educational advancements for Florida’s families,” Kendall told Historic City News.
According to the Commissioner, the Digital Learning Group will find ways to harness the power of digital learning such as to prepare every Sunshine State student for college and challenging 21st century careers.
Robinson has already laid out an ambitious agenda for the 30-member Digital Learning Group; whose charge is to develop a comprehensive plan to accomplish the following three goals by the 2014-15 school year:
1. Build the infrastructure
2. Provide quality instruction
3. Accelerate institutional reform.
Kendall is currently a candidate for State Representative. “A critical component of my campaign platform has always been and continues to be education,” Kendall told reporters. “This most recent appointment is another exciting opportunity for me to offer the digital education knowledge I’ve already gained to help advance academic opportunities for Florida’s families.”
Kendall said she would serve on the infrastructure subcommittee — and she is already on the job. She spent yesterday touring digital schools in Mooresville, North Carolina to jump-start the subcommittee’s work.
All three Digital Learning Group subcommittees (Infrastructure, Quality Instruction and Institutional Reform) are expected to bring their findings and recommendations to the whole group in May for full discussion. Commissioner Robinson will present the completed Digital Learning Group plan to the State Board of Education on Thursday, May 10, 2012.