3. 2012-13 – Next Steps

Published 2012-13

Florida, and the nation, are focused on preparing all students for future success in college and careers in the 21st century global economy. P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, Florida’s exemplary K-12 public laboratory school, is a leader in implementing and testing educational initiatives with compelling results. P.K. Yonge, with the University of Florida, is focused on becoming the #1 center for leveraging digital innovations for teaching common core standards as we design and test new models for STEM education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) that guarantee achievement for every student.

P.K. Yonge and the University of Florida College of Education are positioned to inform K-12 improvement efforts in Florida and the nation. Over time billions of dollars will be spent on new school construction and renovations. It is clear that tomorrow’s world demands new forms of education. If we keep building what we’ve been building we will continue to generate the same educational model resulting in the same outcomes. At P.K. Yonge we have opened a new elementary school building that dramatically transforms how teachers and students come together to learn. Our building is cost-effective and innovative. Traditional wasted hallways have been transformed into learning corridors—dramatically reducing the need for expensive square footage while increasing student safety and security, and still meeting state school building requirements. In partnership with the University of Florida, we will be shovel-ready with construction plans for our innovative 6-12 building by summer 2013.

Funding support for the next phase of our cost-effective, campus revitalization project will test a K-12 model that will inform educational improvement efforts and future K-12 construction investments. At P.K. Yonge we are leveraging new architectural models to design and test new modes of teaching as we generate a new school model for our state and nation.

P.K. Yonge’s mission is to lead schools into the future. As choice and flexibility to improve results and support the unique needs of students take hold in Florida—deregulation of districts, flexibility in selecting curriculum materials to teach standards, incentives for choice, and district charter innovation schools—P.K. Yonge’s reputation for leading educators through points of flexibility, innovation, and transformation provides a unique complement to educational improvement efforts. An investment in P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School is an investment in K-12 education for Florida and the nation!

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida is the state’s premier laboratory for designing and testing new approaches to education. As a one-school, school district,

P.K. Yonge inspires large-scale improvement efforts in other schools and districts in science education, reading instruction, systems of support, and technology integration.

During these rapidly changing times, educators need a place and space where they can observe and discuss educational innovations aligned with policies and responsive to the educational challenges we all face. With $5 million from the National Science Foundation, P.K. Yonge has partnered with the University of Florida to develop a national model for substantially transforming 6th-8th grade science education for the most under-served students in our state’s rural and urban districts. Through our work with rural educational consortia and the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning, P.K. Yonge’s development efforts reach hundreds of teachers and school leaders statewide and thousands of students.

P.K. Yonge has a diverse student population selected by lottery to represent the state’s (and emerging nation’s) population. With the University of Florida we are designing a K-12 system that responds to individual learners and results in success:

  • We maintain a 94% graduation rate among all demographic groups (state = 72%)
  • 80% enroll in colleges and universities (state = 55%)
  • Over $2 million in scholarships are awarded to each graduating class
  • P.K. Yonge posted first place finishes on 2012 end-of-course exams and 6th-8th grade FCAT
  • 2.0 tests (among district comparisons)
  • 80% of this year’s 8th grade students are enrolled in Algebra I (state 33%); with a goal of 100% by 2014

Among our 2010 graduates:

  • 67% took an AP exam (state = 46%)
  • 52% were awarded a passing score on their AP exam (state = 41%)
  • 95% completed a rigorous high school math course (state = 57%)
  • 90% completed a rigorous high school science course (state = 58%)
  • 93% scored FCAT Math Level 3+ (state = 80%)
  • 72% scored FCAT Reading Level 3+ (state = 50%)

If you are interested in helping P.K. Yonge and the College of Education at the University of Florida contribute to national improvement efforts in K-12 education, please contact P.K. Yonge Director, Dr. Lynda Hayes | lhayes@pky.ufl.edu