The atmosphere buzzed as educators poured into Miami Lakes Educational Center’s auditorium, wondering what action items would be approved. The Florida State Board of Education meeting was hosted by board members Gary Chartrand, John R. Padget, Ada G. Armas and the newest member to the board, Rebecca Fishman Lipsey. Also sitting in on the board was Pam Stewart, the commissioner of education.

James Parker, MLEC’s principal, said, “It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to our wonderful school.”
MLEC, with its adult vocational program and high school academies was a hot topic of discussion at the beginning of the meeting.

Miami Lakes Educational Center has been an ‘A’ school for seven years now and has been a part of a district whose graduation rate has increased by 15% in just four years.

On the agenda of the school board meeting was a report on the Florida Standards. Stewart, on the issue of school grading, said, “I don’t think that suspending school grading is the right thing to do for students.”

Carvalho, on the other hand, when addressing an interviewer in Spanish, said he believed that suspending school grades for two or three years while the Common Core changes are being implemented seemed like a good idea. Instead, he wants to apply school report cards.

According to Stewart, the Florida Standards encompass more than those on the Common Core State Standards, which only include English and math. Lipsey stands behind teachers liking the CCSS.

While discussing assessments, Florida’s Value Added Model was brought up. Otherwise known as VAM, this model will set new standards for teacher evaluations. According to the new standards, evaluations will be based on the performance of the students, how the material is taught and how teachers and administrators handle their jobs.

The Superintendent said, “VAM is not understood by teachers. And if it is not understood, it is not trusted.”
The excitement that had surrounded MLEC’s auditorium culminated when Padget put Caravlho on the spot, questioning him about teacher’s raises.

John A. Colon, the fifth board member, was on call throughout the meeting, which started promptly at 9 am. Colon was tweeting during the meeting, quoting his fellow board members as they discussed Common Core Standards and school grading.

Among those recognized as a part of the commissioner’s report were Alberto Carvalho, the Florida Superintendent of the Year, and the Principal of the Year finalists, Eric Lundman, Barbara Shirley and Brian Kingsley, as well as Luis Espinosa, the 2013 Milken Educator Award Recipient.

Upon receiving the award Carvalho said, “I owe it all to Miami Dade, my beloved community.”

Alberto M. Carvalho, the Miami Dade County Superintendent, proudly boasted that Miami Dade County Public Schools had the highest ranking by College Board in Advanced Placement courses and exams, both in number and performance, even without the advantage of A.P Spanish, especially when more students speak Spanish in Miami.

The next Florida state board of education meeting be on February 18 in Orlando.