Using a literacy framework, this case study explores parents' assessment literacy in South Florida (United States). Data were collected using focus-group interviews of public-school parents (N = 32) and a document artifact. Findings illustrate how parents drew upon verbal and virtual information and social interactions to learn about the…

Approximately 26 million Americans have no access to broadband's social and economic benefits. A persistent level of non-adoption stems from adults' lack of perceived need or benefit. Florida's unique move to all digital instructional materials and required online learning by 2015 may make home broadband essential for maintaining a learning…

This study examines the role of content professionalism and public outreach, along with partisanship in the availability of online local public information. Comparing county and school board websites in Florida, the author suggests that online public records serve as a proxy for the entity's overall level of transparency. A content analysis of 134…

In its broadest sense, open content refers to material published under a license that allows any user to edit, adapt, remix, and distribute it. It is distinct from free content, which is in the public domain and has no significant legal restrictions on its modification. In a much-publicized action in January 2008, Florida became the first state to…

FloriNet--the Florida Library Online Resource Information Network--was first envisioned by a Florida Network Planning Task Force in 1994 as the aggregate of networked information in Florida libraries, including library networks, independent libraries, statewide databases, Free-Nets, and as-yet unimagined information resources. This document is a…

This report is part of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Educational Technology Cooperative's ongoing study of state educational networks. The current report is based on a study of statewide educational networks in three SREB states during May-September 1998, including a review of published materials obtained from network and agency…

Florida's Broward County Library is acknowledged for skill and innovation in the development of symbiotic partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions. Director Samuel F. Morrison comments on the library's mission; growth; operational style; and projects such as the Southeast Florida Library Information Network,…

A collection of short essays by Alphonse Trezza, Edwin Beckerman, Albert De Caprio, Marilyn Gell, Ed Sayre, Elizabeth Hage, and Shirley Echelman on the development of library networks and the possible implications of the establishment of metropolitan library authorities.

The Assessing Quality on Digital Reference team conducted two site visits at Florida Libraries in August 2001. The objectives of these visits were to: document how digital reference services are currently being planned for, delivered, and evaluated in libraries; understand how "quality" in digital reference is defined in these…

In Florida, as in the rest of the country, there is a paradigm shift within libraries. Increasingly, the information necessary to respond to user needs is available electronically--sometimes only or most conveniently in electronic form. For librarians to be most effective in the electronic revolution, they need to link their libraries into a…

Under the Teacher Education Center (TEC) Act in Florida, the state's universities, colleges and public school districts were placed into a collaborative working relationship. Using money allocated by the state, school districts can contract with one or more universities or colleges for the delivery of inservice. This paper illustrates strategies…

As part of a multi-phase, Florida state-mandated study of state-wide higher education data resources and systems, this study focused on the use of student information for inter-sector policy analysis and decision making. In particular the question of whether to establish a master student-level database was explored. Through interviews with…

This report outlines success factors and challenges identified in a study of the educational electronic communications networks in three selected Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) member states (i.e., Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma) and through discussions of the SREB's Educational Technology Cooperative. The report is organized in sections…

This report addresses three uses for computers in instruction: (1) as tutor; (2) as learning tool; and (3) as educational management tool. Policies, standards, and guidelines which are fundamental to an environment where computers support instruction are presented. A "people" network is proposed to provide an infrastructure for…

SUNLINK, available on CD-ROM or the Internet, is Florida's public electronic catalog of 10 million holdings in the state's public school library media centers. This article describes how SUNLINK started and works, benefits to schools (sharing resources, developing information skills, meeting student needs and state standards, creating…