While the requirements for achieving exemplary status are extensive, we do already meet much of the criteria; namely having structured and assessed curriculums for the teaching of African-American History.  However, the district will also need to address several other benchmarks.  They include but are not limited to:

• establishing a program of professional development focused on strategies for teaching African-American History that is K–12 and cross-disciplinary;
• establishing a partnership with a university to provide professional development and curriculum support;
• seeking out grant funding with our partner and establishing parent/community partnerships.

The Commissioner of Education's African-American History Task Force is an advocate for Florida's school districts, teacher education training centers, and the community at large, in implementing the teaching of the history of African peoples and the contributions of African-Americans to society.  The Task Force works to ensure awareness of the requirements: identify and recommend needed state education leadership action, assist in adoption of instructional materials by the state, and build supporting partnerships.