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Governor Jeb Bush has recommended $1.5 million for the Council’s statewide PASS program in his budget released on Feb. 1. The recommended allocation is an increase of $580,000 over last year’s funding level. The Council wants to thank the Governor, the Council Board and PASS partners who advocated for PASS funding. The next step is legislative approval. This funding will help the Council to scale-up the program to serve more schools. There are 55 current and alum PASS models and programs. PASS is partnered by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and sponsored by corporate and philanthropic leaders.
The Boca Ciega High School PASS partnership was launched on January 30 with a special event at the St. Petersburg school. It is sponsored by Council Board member Dr. Akshay Desai, the CEO and Chairman of Universal Health Care. Dr. Desai is working with Principal John Leanes on increasing student achievement at the school. Florida Commissioner of Education John Winn, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Pinellas Superintendent Clayton Wilcox were among the 300 plus guests attending. Later that evening, Dr. Desai hosted a dinner to celebrate the launch and the Council’s work in the Bay area.
On January 27th, there was a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hialeah Elementary School to launch a new student computer lab. The lab was funded by Jeffrey Miller, Hialeah PASS business mentor and Council Board member. Mr. Miller is the CEO of Weeks Gas and the Barbecue Superstore. He has funded both a PASS model and a PASS enhancement model for a Parent Academy at the school. The computer lab has 32 top of the line computers, a roof mounted projector, an interactive white board, two color copiers and a laser printer. The lab will be used by students to help improve their literacy skills, prepare them for the FCAT, and expose them to technology and its use. Mr. Miller partners with Hialeah Elementary Principal Carolina Naveiras. Some fifteen of Mr. Miller’s employees, including top management, also volunteer at the school and have logged over 300 hours during this school year.
Applications for the 4th annual $10,000 Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award are now available online at the Council’s website: www.changeeducation.org. Applications will also be sent to eligible candidates in the Council’s statewide network of schools. Eligible candidates include Principals in a current or former Council program. More information follows in this update.
On January 27th, Council President and Executive Director Dr. Elaine Liftin presented highlights of Council work in the FLDOE’s DELTA Program for School Leaders. The meeting focused on the initiative progress and future plans of the DELTA partners. Council DELTA work in 2005 served more than 500 school leaders. It included the Florida Leadership Academy, three Assistant Principal Leadership Forums, online administrator preparation, and online professional development tools. In 2006, Council work will include expanding online tools; licensing of two new modules in Diversity and Ethical Leadership for 2,000 users; two Leadership Academies; and three Assistant Principal Leadership Forums. The FLDOE granted the Council $1.2 million for 2006 DELTA work.
Florida’s Chancellor of Education Cheri Yecke was a special guest at the Council’s Board meeting on Jan. 18. The Chancellor and the Council Board discussed some of the Chancellor’s priorities including: aggressive recruitment and retention of new teachers; alternative certification of Principals from fields outside education; middle school reform; and a potential arts assessment.
On January 9th more than 120 Miami-Dade school-based leaders attended a follow-up session to the Instructional Leadership Academy originally held from June 20th-24th, 2005. The Academy is a partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Professional Development Office, headed by Dr. Ava Byrne. The follow-up Academy session included intensive work in student performance data analysis and application of information to tailor student learning led by national expert Dr. Julie Hansen.
Dr. Elaine Liftin met with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Pinellas Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox, and their key leadership staff, to explore further Council program and partnership opportunities in the region. The meeting was held on Feb. 2. Presently, the Council works with Mayor Baker and Superintendent Wilcox on the Municipal PASS program started by Mayor Baker. There are seven area schools in the Municipal PASS program. Mayor Baker tapped local corporate and community sponsors to support the program and to serve as program mentors. PASS is partnered and funded by the Florida Department of Education.
Look for your application for the Fourth Annual
$10,000 Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award 2006
Mr. Leonard Miller
The Award has benefited from the generous sponsorship of:
the Cobb Family Foundation, Edward W. Easton, and Richard & Susan Finkelstein.
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PRINCIPALS currently or formerly in a Council for Educational Change program will receive an application for the fourth annual, statewide $10,000 Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award. The $10,000 award is for the winner’s personal use. Semifinalists will also receive a monetary award — last year’s 4 semi-finalists received a $5,000 award. A special event will celebrate the winners’ achievements.
ABOUT THE AWARD
It commemorates the legacy of Council founder, Leonard Miller. He believed that outstanding Principal Leadership is the catalyst to increase student achievement. He believed that excellence and exemplary performance should be rewarded.
CRITERIA
The Award recognizes a Principal who has:
- raised student achievement
- empowered staff
- partnered with business and community
APPLICATION
Available online for download here, the form is brief and requires evidence of assertions . Applications will also be mailed to eligible candidates. If you wish to receive Award email notices, please forward an email address, and include contact information, to thastings@changeeducation.org. Applications will be accepted from June 1 and no later than August 1, 2006 to allow for inclusion of 2006 FCAT data.
2005 Principal Leadership Award Winner
2005 Winner Jacqueline “Jackie” Byrd
Principal of Reynolds Lane Elementary, Duval County
“Under the leadership of Principal Jackie Byrd, Reynolds Lane moved from a D to an A. The teachers give her full credit for leading them with all of the qualities of great character. The results are clear in the accomplishments of her students.”
Russell Newton, PASS Partner
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Jacqueline Byrd, Reynolds Lane Elementary, Duval
Accomplishments
- Raised school grade from a D in 2000 to an A in 2005
- Increased no. of students testing at level 3 & above in reading by 34%
- Instituted bi-weekly professional development training on teaching reading strategies
- Partnered with business community to provide students and parents with a Health Fair and an after school program
2005 Principal Leadership Award finalists
Kimberley Emmanuel, Poinciana Park Elementary, Miami-Dade
Stacey Mancuso, Design & Architecture Senior High, Miami-Dade
Cindy Massarelli, Choctawhatchee High, Okaloosa
Winston Whyte, Howard D. McMillan Middle, Miami-Dade
2004 Principal Leadership Award winner
Patricia Penn Dixon, Dillard Elementary, Broward
2003 Principal Leadership Award winner
Bart Christie, Bent Tree Elementary, Miami-Dade
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