Every Child Matters. Every Child Learns. Every Child Succeeds.: Opinion Piece in Orlando Sentinel on Elected Chair

Opinion piece published in the Orlando Sentinel on October 21, 2008.

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2008 Profile of Orange County Public School

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is the 11th largest school district in the nation, and the 4th largest in the state of Florida. It serves nearly 170,000 students, who originate from 179 countries and speak 132 languages and dialects. Over 50% live in low-income households and 50% are highly mobile, moving from school to school in a year's time. 20% are learning English and 20% are receiving special education services.

I hope that the progress made during 2004-2008, a legacy of which I am proud, is used by future school boards and superintendents as a foundation for further improvements-

The former School Board, on which I had the opportunity to serve, and Superintendent Ron Blocker's administrative team established a new vision to be the "top producer of successful students in the nation," and a strategic plan with measurable goals and an aligned superintendent's evaluation

OCPS is currently rated an "A" school district by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE)

Nearly 3/4 of schools are now high-performing "A" and "B," surpassing similar large districts in Tampa and Jacksonville, and nearing Palm Beach

16,367 Advanced Placement (AP) tests were taken in 2007-08; Since 2004, 96% more students earned a passing grade on AP tests; Over 500% more Hispanic students and over 600% more Black students have taken AP tests since 2001

Developed in 2005, the League of Educational Excellence is a cutting-edge model for middle and high school reform built on a framework of rigorous college-preparatory and career/technical instruction

In 2008, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs were accredited at Lee, Robinswood, Carver, Jackson and Memorial Middle Schools, and Jones and Evans High Schools, adding to those at Glenridge Middle, and Winter Park, University and Cypress Creek High Schools

Florida's 2008 Teacher of the Year was Rick Ellenburg, science teacher at Camelot Elementary, and Jennifer Bohn, IB coordinator at Evans High School and Orange County's 2009 Teacher of the Year, was a Florida top-five finalist

Helped by the 1/2 penny sales tax approved by Orange County voters in 2002, 61 existing schools have been or are being renovated; the remaining 78 will be renovated over the next ten years; since 2001, 37 additional schools have opened

Per FDOE, OCPS is currently the 7th lowest in administrative costs per student among Florida's 67 school districts, and lowest among Florida's 7 largest districts; over this period, OCPS has maintained A1, AA- and A+ financial ratings for its new school construction bonds; Standard & Poor's current Financial Management Assessment of OCPS is "Strong"

Every Child Matters. Every Child Learns. Every Child Succeeds.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Opinion Piece in Orlando Sentinel on Elected Chair

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2008 Profile of Orange County Public School