FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 14, 2015

CONTACT: Daisy Gonzalez-Diego
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-2060

SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR FETED FOR HER IMPORTANT
BILITERACY EDUCATION WORK

School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman was honored by The Jose Marti Foundation and The Hispanic Education Committee at the recent Florida Dual Language Leadership Awards Luncheon.   

Ms. Hantman was recognized with The Seal of Biliteracy Leadership Award for her outstanding leadership in strengthening and providing support to the expansion of bilingual and biliteracy skills among students, staff and community.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” said School Board Chair Hantman, “I firmly believe the hard work this School Board has done to provide quality biliteracy programs will enrich the lives of our students and their families and prepare them for today’s global marketplace.”

The School Board recently approved the Seal of Biliteracy Initiative, which recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The purpose of the Seal of Biliteracy is to encourage students to study languages, certify attainment of biliteracy, provide employers with a method of identifying an individual who has language and biliteracy skills, and promote world language instruction in public schools.

Last school year, approximately 132,000 students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools participated in a foreign language program promoting bilingual and bi-literate education. The District offers more than 30 specialized language programs, which include Extended Foreign Language, Dual Language and International Studies programs promoting bilingual education, enhancing cognitive and social growth, competitiveness in a global marketplace and understanding of diverse peoples and cultures.

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 15-DGD/070/DF

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