FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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

SUPERINTENDENT CARVALHO ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW OFFERINGS
FOR 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR

Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho shared the new product roll-out for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) at today’s School Board meeting. The new offerings represent a comprehensive line of products to enrich and enhance the education of the school district’s students, families, employees and the community.

The offerings include:

  • New Choice/Magnet Programs: Forty-two new choice/magnet program offerings will be created in 38 schools with strands that include: Cambridge, Science, Mathematics, Legal Studies, Information Technology, and the Arts.
  • iPrep Math: This program will fuse technology with personalized student learning to create a true 21st Century educational experience in this critical content area in 49 middle schools.
  • Teen and Police Service Academy: School Police will be launching clubs in up to five schools, pairing officers as club sponsors with at-risk teens.  Participants will engage in public service projects, peer-to-peer counseling and other activities designed to reduce youth crime and truancy and increase positive relationships and successful school outcomes
  • GrandChampions Program: This program will provide outreach activities and support designed specifically designed to engage grandparents as active members of the school community through volunteer recruitment, Parent Academy Workshops, special events, and other support services.
  • Computer Refresh and Mobile Device Initiative: The District will be investing in new computers and mobile digital devices for student use.  As part of the District’s Digital Conversion, this endeavor will broaden technology access, leveraging the new wireless infrastructure provided through last year’s E-Rate funded wireless initiative
  • WiFi Zones: Students will be able to access the web and educational content anywhere they carry their digital devices, and schools will be transformed into “virtual” neighborhood hubs with the capacity to provide free internet access, particularly in underserved communities.
  • STEM Mobile: A self-contained high end science lab will be added to the District’s fleet of rolling classrooms.  Serving students in 5th and 8th grades and high school Biology students, this mobile lab will bring hands-on Biology focused activities to schools across the District.
  • Technology-based, indoor, fitness trail for elementary school recess: This innovative program will motivate students and teachers to embrace physical activity as a lifelong habit.
  • Districtwide Accreditation: This rigorous process involves a comprehensive external review of the district’s schools, performance, practices, and policies. The accreditation process culminates with the granting of Accreditation by AdvancED and certifies to the community that M-DCPS is a High Quality School System committed to continuous improvement.
  • M-DCPS – FIU Transition Center: This program will provide support to students with disabilities as they transition from high school to college with the goal of increasing the number of students with disabilities who enroll in college and successfully graduate.
  • Adult Education Student Portal: The portal will offer a unified web presence where individuals can easily access information, curriculum, records, schedule appointments, and even take care of any financial obligations
  • International Student Academy – China Partnership: This program will broaden the District’s cultural landscape and create real-world connections for our students by providing opportunities for first-hand exchanges of information and ideas among peers from vastly different backgrounds.
  • Leading Edge Certification - Digital Educator: Miami-Dade teachers will have the opportunity to receive training aligned to national benchmarks, indicators, and competencies associated with the effective use of educational technology
  • iHeat Peer Assistance and Review Program: Designed as a complement to the District’s teacher evaluation system, iHeat will allow teachers in selected schools to participate in peer observations, receive job-embedded support and professional development, and get feedback that will lead to performance improvement.
  • Data DashBoard: The DashBoard, an at-a-glance tool that will inform the decision making process by helping to easily identify strengths and weaknesses within the organization, will provide real time access to information on a variety of Key-Performance Indicators related to both academic and business performance
  • Owners Control Insurance Program: This program will provide better coverage to protect the District, while saving money and providing expensive and often difficult to procure coverage for micro/small/minority sub-contractors as a component of District’s initiatives.
  • Schools 21st Century Banking Transformation Initiative: The District will use SAP technology to automate and reduce school site tasks related to cash collection, payment processing, recording and reconcilement of financial transactions
  • Food Acquisition and Distribution program:  By leveraging economies of scale, it is anticipated that the District will save at least $1 million in food costs annually while still providing outstanding quality and nutrition.
  • Wellness Education and Awareness Program: The District will continue to engage employees in conversations and activities intended to improve the overall well-being of our workforce

  • e-VALUE Custodial Training Program and Evaluation Guide: The guide will ensure that high standards are uniformly applied district-wide, and that the District’s custodial staff receive training and access to educational opportunities that will enhance their professional skills.

 

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13-JJS/168/VVL

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