Florida B.E.S.T. Standards Complete Guide 2024-2025
Florida B.E.S.T. Standards Complete Guide (2024-2025)
The Operational Shift
The 2024-2025 academic year marks full accountability for B.E.S.T. Standards in ELA and Mathematics. Science and Social Studies continue under NGSSS. Common Core was officially eliminated in Florida by Executive Order 19-32 in 2019.
Standards Coding Scheme
ELA Coding: ELA.Grade.Strand.Standard.Benchmark
- Example: ELA.3.F.1.3 = ELA, Grade 3, Foundations strand, Standard 1, Benchmark 3
Math Coding: MA.Grade.Domain.Standard.Benchmark
- Example: MA.3.NSO.1.2 = Math, Grade 3, Number Sense & Operations, Standard 1, Benchmark 2
ELA Strands
| Code | Strand | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| F | Foundational Skills | K-5 Phonics, Fluency (Science of Reading) |
| R | Reading | Prose, Poetry, Informational Text |
| C | Communication | Writing, Speaking, Conventions |
| V | Vocabulary | Morphology, Context Clues |
| EE | ELA Expectations | Habits of Mind (K-12) |
Math Domains
| Code | Domain | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| NSO | Number Sense & Operations | Place value, arithmetic |
| AR | Algebraic Reasoning | Patterns, equations |
| GR | Geometric Reasoning | Spatial reasoning, proofs |
| DP | Data Analysis & Probability | Statistics |
Mathematical Thinking & Reasoning Standards (MTRs)
These must be embedded in every math activity: - MTR.1.1: Actively participate in effortful learning - MTR.2.1: Represent problems in multiple ways - MTR.3.1: Complete tasks with mathematical fluency - MTR.4.1: Reflect on mathematical thinking of self and others - MTR.5.1: Use patterns and structure - MTR.6.1: Assess reasonableness of solutions - MTR.7.1: Apply mathematics to real-world contexts
Key Instructional Shifts
ELA Shifts: - Elimination of three-cueing (PROHIBITED by Florida law HB 7039) - Focus on complex, grade-level texts for all students - Explicit, systematic phonics instruction - Civic literacy integration (founding documents in ELA) - Literary periods exposure (Classical, Renaissance, Romantic, Contemporary)
Math Shifts: - Standard algorithms introduced earlier - Heavy emphasis on computational fluency - Conceptual understanding supports procedural fluency - No calculator reliance in early grades
Grade-Level Complex Texts
Florida mandates grade-level complex texts for ALL students during Tier 1 instruction. Leveled readers may only be used during small-group intervention, not core instruction.
Civic Literacy Integration
ELA instruction must include founding documents: - Declaration of Independence - Constitution - Bill of Rights - Federalist Papers
Students encounter vocabulary of liberty and governance as part of reading instruction.
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