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SCHOOL DISTRICT TO JOIN FORCES WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAM MIAMI - Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and the cities of Hialeah, Homestead, Miami, and Miami Gardens, and Univision are joining forces to benefit Miami-Dade’s public schools. The entities have entered into an agreement to apply for federal i3 funding to support a “Schools of Innovation” (SOI) program at selected schools. “This is an unprecedented example of a municipality and industry working with a public school district for the benefit of our youth,” said Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “This collaboration offers great potential for the benefit of everyone involved, but particularly, for our students.” Schools of Study will organize students and staff into personalized learning environments designed to support all students’ achievement in meeting high academic standards; promoting successful quality postsecondary transitions; and utilizing an integrated curriculum design that supports and structures a learning climate focused on correlating student needs and development with established workforce and postsecondary educational needs. Schools of Study will create a college and careers climate by developing a career-themed, integrated curriculum that supports all students in successfully completing high school and successfully transitioning to college and/or the workforce. Additionally, Schools of Study will create a professional environment that fosters a sense of collective responsibility for student achievement, supports the collaborative work needed to design the individual school’s curriculum model, supports the implementation of best practices, and encourages a sustainable commitment to the shared vision of the school. A public awareness campaign will allow community stakeholders - parents, business, government agencies, postsecondary institutions, and youth - to articulate a shared vision for all high school students and establish a network of accountability that ensures progress toward achieving the shared vision. Schools of Innovation seeks to improve student achievement, increase attendance, reduce the dropout rate and promote an environment that fosters preparedness for and graduation from two- or four-year colleges (postsecondary education) for students. The program will prepare students for college and careers. M-DCPS has Career Academies, in various states of implementation, throughout the District and has partnered with the National Academy Foundation (NAF) and the National Career Academy Coalition because their research-based, career academy frameworks have proven track records locally, and at the state and national levels. A district-wide Secondary School Reform Plan is in place. Additionally, William H. Turner Technical Arts High School (Turner Tech) is a nationally recognized model of school reform. They implement a whole school, Career Academy model in which all students follow structured four-year programs of study that include opportunities to earn “College-Ready” diplomas and industry certifications. Two other highly successful Career Academy schools, Miami Lakes Educational Center and Robert Morgan Educational Center, were designed using the Turner Tech model. All three schools are rich in professional development, strengthened by use of Continuous Improvement Models (CIM), foster strong parental involvement, and have strong partnerships with business, industry and postsecondary institutions. These schools are representative of the demographics of the District and serve students who have disabilities (SWD), are limited English proficient (LEP), and come from diverse cultural backgrounds. They are all Title 1 schools. The students’ plans include four to six courses in their chosen programs of study.
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