Relevant, Rigorous & Innovative Academics Drive M-DCPS’ Bold 2021-2022 Programs, Initiatives

Students and employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) will begin the 2021-2022 school year with a multitude of bold, cutting-edge programs that build on the District’s goals of providing classroom innovation, academic rigor, innovative choice programs, mental health guidance, access and equity, as well as increased efficiencies in operations. Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho unveiled the District’s new programs on Wednesday during a School Board Committee meeting. A number of these initiatives address the priorities of School Board members, and most are being undertaken with the use of supplemental funding, existing resources or leveraged community partnerships.

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools is one of the highest-performing school systems in the nation due to our ability to reinvent ourselves with a host of innovative programs to help each student reach their full academic potential,” said Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “This unwavering commitment is partnered with our pledge to provide students and employees with safe, healthy and supportive learning and working environments.”

The District’s 2021-2026 Strategic Blueprint, also known as Infinite Possibilities, is comprised of five sections or pillars. These pillars are aligned with our Means to Accelerate Performance (MAPs), which are launch pads for innovation and improvement.

Pillar I – Relevant, Rigorous & Innovative Academic

ETO RAMP UP (Re-engage, Accelerate, and Maximize Performance through University Partnerships) establishes and expands partnerships with local colleges, universities, and community organizations to enhance the educational experience for all learners in the District’s most fragile schools.

What’s Your Scoir?? gives students a comprehensive college and career planning tool to find the college that is the right fit for them and provides them with a network of support and greater access to post-secondary planning resources.

Advanced Placement Virtual Master Classes provides interested students at targeted schools with virtual AP Master classes that will be taught throughout the school day, offering them additional opportunities to participate in advanced academic coursework in Physics, Calculus, Biology Chemistry, Computer Science and Art History.

DEEP: Dual Enrollment Expansion Project? boosts and expands dual enrollment opportunities at top-ranked colleges and universities around the country including Ivy League schools for underrepresented students across the District through partnerships with the National Equity Lab and the Miami Bayside Foundation. ?

Tech 305 (Pre-Apprenticeship Program in IT) offers IT pre-apprenticeship opportunities at seven high schools in conjunction with Miami Dade College and Florida International University (FIU) to train students in the Information Technology Industry sector and allow them to apply their learning in a real-world setting.

Bilingual-Biliterate: Seal Your Future!  ?Florida Seal of Biliteracy Awareness Campaign will provide students in grades 6-12 and their families with information on the requirements and necessary coursework for graduating with a Florida Seal of Biliteracy. ?

STEAMing from the Start! promotes STEAM integration programs for our youngest learners in pre-kindergarten to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow through high-quality teaching and learning experiences that promote higher-order thinking skills.

ELLs as Agents of Change – United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Project develops a global sustainability mindset in the English Language Learner (ELL) classroom for students to learn about the 17 UN SDGs, focusing on creating awareness campaigns or action plans in support of a selected goal. 

The Write Brain: Write One, Give One? empowers and transforms ELLs students of all proficiency levels enabling them to become published authors of their own original children’s book.  

M-DCPS/FIU Inspicio Content Repository? develops an effective supplemental and digital instructional tool highlighting impactful people, local artists and leaders for secondary school teachers through a collaboration with FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA).

STEM Flying Classroom? is a supplemental PK-12, digital STEM+ (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum aligned to national/state standards and based on the global expeditions of Capt. Barrington Irving, an M-DCPS alumnus who won the world record for being the youngest person to pilot a plane around the world solo.

VEX-Go STEM Robotics enhance the impact of the current robotics program by supporting 34 elementary schools with teacher training, VEX-Go Kits, and Vex-Go competitions for some of the District’s youngest students in grades 1-3.

Electric Mobile STEAM Labs will replace the current three gas-powered STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) mobile labs with a fleet of four electric buses to support the District's sustainability goals and the integration of STEAM.

Pop 'N’ Prep Homework Help Line provides K-12 students with the opportunity to seek out academic support after the school day from teachers via a virtual platform for assistance Mondays through Thursdays between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

GradTrack provides both students and parents with an individualized graduation progress summary report reflecting each student’s high school course grades and their status in meeting other graduation requirements. This new tool will give families easy access to information that is reflected on a student’s high school transcript.

AB¢ of Financial Literacy?Education ?is a curricular initiative designed for students to gain the knowledge and skills?to be responsible money managers and graduate financially literate.?

Chess2Think? will increase the number of students exposed to chess by providing virtual access in all schools. This initiative supports core subject areas and improves critical thinking skills to better prepare students for post-secondary education and/or career development.

Infinite Mathematical Possibilities provides personalized instructional support for students struggling in math in grades K-12 through customized digital action plans and virtual tutoring opportunities.

Transition G.P.S – Gearing Up for Post-Secondary Success will help students transitioning from middle to high school, and from high school to post-secondary settings, by increasing access to transition services, programs, community agencies, and post-secondary opportunities. This initiative will allow students with disabilities to obtain meaningful employment skill opportunities in varied career paths.

Reading Success Academy? offers additional support to students who have either been identified with a Specific Learning Disability or who exhibit foundational reading deficiencies.?

Miami-Dade Virtual School (MDVS)? provides students with the opportunity to continue with virtual learning via a blended model that will service grades K-12 and employ M-DCPS teachers to deliver instruction. MDVS will open as a choice school with no boundaries and will serve all students in Miami-Dade County.?

Quantum Leap furthers the investment in technology by supporting the continuous transformation of teaching and learning, fostering educational innovation and providing learning opportunities that promote digital literacy and position students for success.

Schoology – Learning Together? – M-DCPS’ Learning Management System (LMS) will serve as the hub for both the District’s vast collection of digital resources and for the delivery of instructional content. As a resource hub, the LMS will streamline content creation and the distribution of resources by bringing all applications and services into a single location. As a learning hub, it will provide a platform for content delivery, communication, collaboration, and professional development.

Pre-K Blooms!? opens an additional 56 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) classes, providing our young learners in the community with a high-quality instruction in an earlier educational setting.

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Connecting the Dots (Closing the Career Gap)? establishes new career pathways through feeder patterns between secondary schools and M-DCPS Technical Colleges to ensure equitable access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.?

Principles of Agribusiness & Management enhances the existing program at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School by affording students in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Career Cluster the opportunity to develop leadership, entrepreneurial, and critical thinking skills.

Young Entrepreneur Programs continue to focus on preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving workforce by infusing Entrepreneurial Thinking into existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at the middle and high school levels.

Cloud Computing Program provides rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare students to be future ready as Network Support Technicians, Cloud Specialists, and Cloud Virtualization Engineers in the Information Technology career cluster.

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools is an expansion of the current program to increase student interest in STEM subjects and careers, teacher and student proficiency with technology, student engagement and confidence, student academic performance and problem-solving skills, and student communication and collaboration skills.

Verizon Innovative Learning Labs are dedicated spaces where students will be able to craft their own educational experiences while exercising the ability to think, collaborate, and solve problems.

Engineering Education Hubs have been developed at three schools, one in each geographic region, to expand programs offered in the field of engineering. Through inquiry-based learning, students will engage in critical thinking and help solve a series of real-world, societal problems using an engineering lens.  

Multi-Lingual Studies Preparatory Academy offers all Coral Way K-8 Center students educational excellence in Spanish or French and programming languages that include block coding, JavaScript, and Python.

Science, Technology, and Arts (STArts) will engage students in new Science, Technology, and Arts themed programs, to foster ingenuity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative expression through a well-rounded lens. This program is designed to provide a seamless K-12 continuum through encouraged articulation into successful, rigorous, and similarly themed STEM and Arts Magnet middle and high schools.?

Teens for Food Justice focuses on hydroponic farming and food justice education with the goal of having students champion food justice issues; resulting in communities benefiting from fresh food that is grown locally at school farms.

Pillar II – Safe, Healthy & Supportive Learning Environments

Breathe Clean? will upgrade indoor air quality of schools throughout the District with the addition of air quality improvement devices to existing and new HVAC equipment that will remove pathogens such as viruses or bacteria from the air.?

TALENTS After-school Academic Enrichment Program expands after-school academic enrichment opportunities that include intensive interventions, academic advancement, test preparation and homework assistance as well as Dance, Ballet and other activities.

Faith in Partners secures faith-based partnerships in schools within each region to provide after-school programming to include religious clubs, mentoring, tutoring, beautification projects, food pantries, participation in career day activities and more.

Counsel 305: The Heart of Education provides enhanced counseling services at every school site. Each school will have one additional counseling position allocated to hire either a school counselor or TRUST counselor.

Healthy Thinking provides enhanced social, emotional, and mental health support to schools based on students’ needs following the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional 25 mental health coordinators will provide wraparound services for students who may be experiencing serious mental health or behavioral challenges.

SEL Strong: Student Seminars and Roundtable Discussions offer seminars and roundtable talks to students in grades 6-12 beyond the school day with topics that focus on social isolation, increased exposure to violence, loss of loved ones, poor nutrition, substance abuse, difficulty reacclimating to school and post-secondary goals.?

Mindfulness Champions? will be designated at each M-DCPS school to lead mindful practices and activities,? in partnership with the Miami Heat, Florida Blue, and Mindful Kids Miami.

Be Kind to Your Mind supports the mental well-being of all employees through a partnership with the National Basketball Association for the use of the Headspace app, which provides a wealth of resources for stress, anxiety, meditation, and more. The app also offers access to resources for K-12 teachers to integrate mindfulness in the classroom.?

M.A.S.T.E.R Mind and Heart School Awards is a recognition program designed to help further cultivate and support a positive and nurturing learning environment by giving schools the opportunity to learn from one another as best practices in creating supportive environments for students are highlighted.

Safety and Service First? enhances the support provided to students on matters related to victimization and mental health. An additional mental health professional will be hired to facilitate the ongoing collaboration between the Department of Mental Health Services and the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department.

Junior Police Explorer Program offers students in grades 6-8 personal awareness of the criminal justice system while promoting personal growth through character development, respect for rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship, and patriotism.?

Pillar III – Highly Effective Teachers, Leaders & Staff

LAUNCH - Leaders Attaining Understanding for New Central-Office Hires? affords District administrators early in their careers the opportunity to participate in a one-year program to receive support, build capacity, and strengthen their leadership skills.

No Pride in Prejudice provides Districtwide sensitivity training and guidance for support personnel with direct student contact on the rights of LGBTQIA+ students and employees.

Unlocking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? supports M-DCPS’ efforts at promoting a sense of belonging among students and staff, as well as fostering an inclusive environment that values and effectively leverages diversity to improve the experience of our students, employees, and families.?

Micro-credentialing CAMP (Competency-based Attainment and Mastery Pathways)? creates pathways and enhances career opportunities for the workforce by developing micro-credentials for signature professional development programs that focus on critically important skills.?

Project REDI - Recruiting, Empowering, and Developing Inclusive Male Teachers and Leaders? increases and builds the men of color educator talent pool. It is designed to recruit, engage, and provide program participants with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professional learning activities, career guidance and networking opportunities.?

Pillar IV – Informed, Engaged and Empowered Stakeholders

 Alumni 305? enhances alumni relations efforts as a way for alumni to give back either through volunteering or financially; connects the organizations where alumni work with M-DCPS as partners; and builds networks amongst alumni that strengthen our community's economic vitality.?

theHub@MDCPS? offers an online space that highlights employees’ achievements and successes, provides them with useful information and a centralized location with the latest District news, employee video profiles, human interest stories, helpful links, plus much more.?

Connect for Success seeks to procure a two-way communications and attendance tracking system between school and home that will provide families with the ability to receive and respond to timely information regarding their child’s attendance and academics via SMS, email, and phone as well as allow parents to connect with their child’s teacher in their preferred language.?

TPA LIVE? expands parent education offerings in three languages (English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole) and supports family engagement practices with additional opportunities to strengthen families’ capacity to support their children and connect with available District and community resources.?

Pillar V – Effective & Sustainable Operational Practices 

Expansion of Employee Health Centers? validates the District’s commitment to provide employees with high-quality, on-site health care at a lower cost, with the addition of an Employee Health Center.

Dismantle Disparity? establishes mandatory goals for African Americans and Non-Minority Women in the procurement of goods and services.  By recognizing principals and District leaders who utilize budgeted funds with certified firms, M-DCPS will promote the importance of stimulating our local economy.?Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!? reduces the District’s carbon footprint by expanding the existing recycling plan to include educational programming that - educates students and staff on environmental stewardship. 

Construction Waste Recycling? requires contractors to sort and recycle construction waste materials, which will divert them from local landfills. The District will also increase efforts to salvage and reuse demolition materials where possible.?Know Your Energy? identifies and pursues additional energy savings opportunities through an energy management and accounting software that will track, manage, process, report, benchmark and analyze energy bills.

In With the New – GOB provides safe and healthy learning environments with new construction projects at several schools to support our nationally ranked educational programs.??

Same Place, New Space? provides for the renovation and remodeling of existing campuses and enhancing them with new building additions to provide inviting, inspiring spaces for students and teachers. ?

?Facilities Reimagined? proactively assesses all facilities for efficient utilization with a carefully considered criteria that takes into consideration the District and community needs. The ultimate goal is to provide new state-of-the-art facilities and eliminate inefficiencies. ?

Supercharging the Network - Network Bandwidth Expansion? facilitates the buildout of the District’s network infrastructure to support 100 GB of Internet traffic, an increase from the existing 40 GB, providing users within our facilities improved speed as they work, teach, and learn

Sign-On Cyber Safe – Improving Security Related to User Authentication enhances and applies stricter identity controls to better protect students, staff, and the District’s network infrastructure.?

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