Highlights Of The ‘State Of The School System Address’ Delivered By School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ‘STATE OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ADDRESS’ DELIVERED BY
SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR PERLA TABARES HANTMAN

Miami-Dade County School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman delivered an accounting of the progress and challenges of Miami-Dade County’s public schools during the 2012 State of the School System Address, last Wednesday at the board’s regular monthly meeting. The issues addressed in the 18-minute report included student performance and the fiscal outlook for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). The highlights include the following:

MDCPS posted the highest graduation rate in recent history - 77.7 percent - outpacing the state.
More than half of the schools received an A-grade from the state, with 70 percent of the schools having an A or B. For the first time in years, MDCPS does not have a single F-graded high school.
Chosen for the fourth time, from among 15,000 school districts nationwide, as one of four finalists for the prestigious Broad Prize, which recognizes growth in student performance and in closing the achievement gap for minority and economically disadvantaged students.
Recognized by the College Board as first in the nation for Hispanic students scoring high on advanced placement exams, and seventh in the country for African-American students.
Recognized for two consecutive years as a national leader on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Miami-Dade students scored higher than the average of students in other large urban school systems both in terms of scale scores and percentage of students scoring above basic in reading for grades 4 and 8, and in mathematics for grade 4.
Secured more than $9 million in federal funding for Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Projects, helping to ensure that students are safe as they travel to and from schools.
Had a 60 percent reduction in school-related delinquency last year, according to Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

Strengthened the District’s wellness policy for students and staff focusing on five goals: nutrition, physical education, physical activity, health and nutrition literacy, and preventive healthcare.
Stabilized the District’s financial position by improving its credit rating.
Reconfigured underutilized spaces to create cutting-edge programs such as Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy, focusing on science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Through the efficient use of capital dollars, the District has found ways to create opportunities for K-8 centers and to expand parental choice through new magnets.
Recognized last month by the Council of the Great City Schools with the Award for Excellence in Financial Management for safeguarding and protecting the financial integrity of schools.
Implementation, by Information Technology, of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for financial reporting, procurement, human resources and payroll. A significant accomplishment because MDCPS is the first major school district in the nation to make such a transition successfully.

Additionally, the District will continue to work towards preserving curricula that are integral for a world-class education, such as visual arts, music, performing arts and world-languages, while infusing classrooms with technology.