For Immediate Release:   April 25, 2008

 

BPS Aims to Achieve

‘First in the Nation’ Status

 

            VIERA—Brevard Public Schools is moving forward with an aggressive plan to increase student achievement, enhance district operations and position the district as one of the best school systems in the country. BPS is developing a new strategic plan, “From First in Florida to First in the Nation.”

            “This is the next logical step to build upon the success that our school district continues to achieve,” said Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. “Since the ‘First in Florida’ strategic plan was introduced in the spring of 2001, the district has reached the next level of performance—and arguably is the highest performing district in the state. Last summer, the district was awarded the 2007 Governor’s Sterling Award for organizational performance excellence and outstanding results, only the second district in the state to receive the award and the first since 1993. Even in a difficult budget environment, it is now time to set our goals even higher.”

            Increased student achievement has been the cornerstone of the district’s success to date. Faculty development and overall school system enhancement have also been key. Some examples:

  • 96% of Brevard County’s schools are ‘A’ or ‘B’ schools. 88% are ‘A’ schools.
  • 11 of 15 high schools in Brevard are ‘A’ schools. BPS has 13 high schools in the top 100 in Florida, and five in the top 25. All middle schools have been ‘A’ schools for the past two years.
  • In 2007, Brevard ranked in the top seven districts in the state in 18 of the 22 FCAT data points for reading, math, science and writing…up from nine of 22 data points in 2002.
  • BPS is first out of 67 school districts in the state for graduation rate, and has the third lowest dropout rate in Florida.
  • BPS is by far first in the number of Music Demonstration Schools in the state, with 23 of the 31 schools in Florida.
  • BPS is third in the nation in the percentage (11.3%) of National Board Certified Teachers.
  • BPS is recognized as 1 of 50 AARP Best Employers in the United States; the only school district so honored. BPS has received this award for three consecutive years.

            DiPatri said that as district employees actively pursue continuous improvement, it is essential to raise expectations and set higher performance goals for the organization. In addition to the core strategic plan ideals that currently exist in the “First in Florida” initiative, the new “First in the Nation” plan will include a series of “stretch goals” driving the district to even higher levels of performance. Those goals will be refined in coming months, but will address issues like improving test scores, recruiting employees with additional credentials, and further enhancing the technology resources available in schools.

             BPS is soliciting community comment to help guide the new plan. In May and June, community members are encouraged to log on to www.brevardschools.org to share their input. The district hopes to refine the new strategic plan between now and the fall, introducing the final plan to the School Board in September.

 

-BPS-