FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fri., Jan. 14, 2005

CONTACT: John Schuster Miami-Dade County Public Schools 305-995-1126

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ZONE READY TO ROLL

MIAMI - Approximately 44,000 students in 39 chronically low-performing schools will embark on a journey to academic excellence when Miami-Dade County Public Schools' School Improvement Zone officially opens its doors on Tuesday, January 18.

The School Improvement Zone is the cornerstone of Superintendent Rudolph F. "Rudy" Crew's efforts to reform education in all of Miami-Dade County's public schools and to give all students the quality education they need and deserve. The 39 schools include 19 elementary schools, one K-8 center, 11 middle schools and eight senior high schools. Dr. Irving S. Hamer, Deputy Superintendent of School Improvement, has been appointed to oversee the Zone.

Students will receive intensive support and a special academic program that places a strong emphasis on literacy. They will benefit from uniform, high quality teaching materials at every elementary, middle and senior high school. Additionally, special teams of experts known as Student Development Teams will help students in grades pre-kindergarten to second, as well as all retained third-graders, boost their reading and writing skills. In the secondary schools, these teams will address the needs of students in grades 6 and 9 who are performing two years or more below grade level.

To give Zone students more time and opportunities to learn, the school day has been extended by one hour and the current school year by five days. Activities for elementary school students include storytelling, creative writing and computer literacy exercises. Secondary students will have the chance to explore such activities as computer and Internet courses, personal and career development, broadcast communications, intensive reading, intensive math, and multimedia production.

A special School Improvement Zone hotline has been established for parents at 305-995-READ (7323). Staff will be available to take calls in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-recorded messages will provide general information about the Zone and about the extended day and the extended school year. More information can also be obtained at http://thezone.dadeschools.net.

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05-LJG/108/TEL

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