Student Achievement Remains Our Bottom Line

There are numerous issues that we all confront and manage on a daily basis in a school district of this size. However, the bottom line for all of us, regardless of everything else that comes through our doors, is student achievement. It is a focus that we must keep constantly in front of us, because we all play a role in making it happen.

As I write this column, some of our FCAT scores for the 2006/07 school year have already been released by the state. And they indicate an overall steady escalation in our student achievement. The FCAT Writing + results mark the sixth consecutive year that our students’ scores have either equaled or exceeded state averages.

Our third grade FCAT reading and math scores were also released recently. While the math results showed a steady increase over the previous year, the reading scores were lower than last year’s. We are currently working with Florida Department of Education officials to determine if an anomaly associated with last year’s test may account for the upward spike in last year’s reading scores. The fact of the matter is this year’s scores are more in line with previous year’s results and indicate a gradual escalation in performance in keeping with previous years’ results.

Our student performance was singled out for the sixth consecutive year by the Council of the Great City Schools in its annual “Beating the Odds” report. The Washington, D.C.-based organization represents about sixty of the largest public school districts in the country. The group’s annual report praised Broward County Public Schools for escalating student performance on state comprehensive reading and math tests at or beyond state averages.

We attribute this excellent performance mainly to our hard working teachers and principals. Although, all District employees played a vital role in this effort. Obviously, not all of us spend our days in front of classrooms teaching students. But all employees play an essential role in supporting student achievement by providing services and support that enhance and facilitate the teaching and learning that goes on everyday in our schools.

As the 2006/07 school year comes to a close, our School Board and Senior Leadership thank each and every one of you for your teamwork and dedication. All of you make a difference that is evident in our bottom line – student achievement.