The Orange County School Board today approved a resolution opposing Amendment 4 and approved Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to become a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) District for engineering, biomedical and technology based career and professional educational academies.
Amendment 4, which will appear on the 2010 General Election ballot, would amend the Florida Constitution to require that, before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or plan amendment must be voted on by the electorate of the respective counties.
In their opposition to Amendment 4, the Orange County School Board stated in the resolution that, it (Amendment 4) will “undermine the community’s long-term school planning needs and goals, including responsible growth and redevelopment initiatives, as well as the development of essential infrastructure.” The Board added that, it “will subject important school planning and siting decision to potentially misleading and inflammatory media campaigns.
See Resolution Opposing Amendment 4 Here.
In approving OCPS as a PLTW District, this will allow for the formation of partnerships among Public Schools, Higher Education Institutions and the Private Sector with the aim of increasing the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from the education system. The curriculum integrates all areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Research has found STEM literacy reduces dropout rates, increases attendance, and gives students foundational skills to continue on to post-secondary education.
