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 State of the Schools
Two years ago, the Duval County School Board
approved a formal strategic plan that will make Duval County Public Schools the top performing urban school district in America. The objectives include rigorous targets outlining the dramatic progress we expect. District staff reviewed the plan over the summer and made additional recommendations to the plan, building upon the progress of our original plan, and increasing our emphasis on areas for improvement.
The first goal of the Strategic Plan is to increase academic achievement for all students. We met our target in Writing and made positive progress in both Mathematics and Science. However, we still need to improve student performance in Reading, which remains one of my highest priorities. Our most challenged schools, which are called Turnaround schools, posted greater gains than our other schools demonstrating our intensive work is creating long term success.
Goal Two is to increase the percentage of students graduating ready for post-secondary education and work. Duval County's graduation rate rose 3.2 percentage points to 64.5% in 2009. While this is an increase, we certainly agree that more progress on the graduation and promotion rates needs to take place. For 2010/2011, all of our high schools have one or more Acceleration Programs, which allow students to earn multiple college credits while in high school. We continue to develop our Career Academy programs, and currently have more than 30, with five meeting rigorous national standards. These programs provide students personalized learning through career-related classes with focus on technical skills for a specific industry. Our work with the Learning to Finish coalition in creating Multiple Pathways to Graduation and the Achievers for Life early intervention program will further increase our graduation rates over time.
The focus of Goal Three is to attract and retain the most qualified teachers and principals. We exceeded the Strategic Plan target of having more teachers teaching in their field of study and have been working hard to place some of our strongest principals and teachers in our lowest performing schools. Professional development opportunities such as those at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership are available to ensure that all of our schools have high-performing staff. Principals have been directed to establish very high criteria when evaluating teachers, helping those who are struggling and not reappointing those who should be in a different career.
Goal Four focuses on establishing safe schools where all individuals feel safe and are respected and valued. Our code of conduct violations, as measured by the state, decreased by 37% over the past year. Additional staff training and awareness of disciplinary actions as well as the Alternatives to Out of School Suspension centers have assisted with a dramatic 49% decrease in suspensions.
Our efforts to engage parental, community and business support remained a priority, and are the target for Goal Five. We increased the number of mentor matches for our students and volunteers in our schools. This goal continues to be a major focus, especially as we begin to engage some of our larger businesses in school partnerships.
District support of schools is the objective of Goal Six. The district has continued to reduce costs, providing 84% of the funding we receive directly to schools. We continue to face dramatic funding challenges with the loss of federal stimulus funds and compliance with the Class Size Amendment, which was never fully funded by the state legislature.
Overall, we are headed in the right direction. We are committed to success, and it is our intent to make clear and measurable progress every year toward our long-term objectives. Through the commitment of our students, the dedication of our teachers and the support of the public, we strongly believe that together we will be successful.
Please take a moment and review and comment on our draft Strategic Plan 2.0.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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This year, 31 Duval County public schools were named Five Star Schools by the Florida Department of Education.
 This is the highest honor a school can receive in recognition of community participation. This symbol of achievement is presented annually to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary performance in family, school and community involvement.
In order to earn the Five Star school recognition, a school must have earned a grade of “C” or above for the 2009-2010 school year, and provided a portfolio to show that it has met the requirement of full engagement in these five areas: Business
Partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteerism, Student Community Service and School Advisory Councils.
Congratulations to Duval County's Five Star Schools!
Abess Park Elementary; Alimacani Elementary; Atlantic Beach Elementary; J. Allen Axson Montessori Elementary; Baldwin Middle/Senior High; Don Brewer Elementary; Brookview Elementary; Chaffee Trail Elementary; Chets Creek Elementary; Crown Point Elementary; Enterprise Learning Academy; Fort Caroline Elementary; Greenfield Elementary; Greenland Pines Elementary; Hendricks Avenue Elementary; Highlands Elementary; Jacksonville Beach Elementary; Lake Forest Elementary; Lone Star Elementary; Loretto Elementary; Mandarin High; Mandarin Oaks Elementary; Mayport Elementary; Merrill Road Elementary; Ortega Elementary; Sabal Palm Elementary; Sandalwood High; Louis Sheffield Elementary; John N.C. Stockton Elementary; Twin Lakes Academy, and Woodland Acres Elementary.
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Volunteers are an important part of student success in Duval County Public Schools. More than
20,000 volunteers support schools each year, and the number is growing. You can now apply online to be a volunteer.
What type of volunteers are needed in Duval County Public Schools?
School Volunteers
All volunteers are required to complete an application and undergo a criminal background screening conducted through the Community and Family Engagement Department. All principals have the decision-making authority regarding volunteers and volunteer opportunities at the schools. Approved volunteers are issued cards identifying them as authorized volunteers.
Volunteer Coordinators
Each school in Duval County is required to have a designated Volunteer Coordinator or Liaison. These Volunteer Coordinators/Liaisons are responsible for developing and encouraging strong partnerships with school volunteers and businesses.
Surrogate Parent Program
Duval County Public Schools Exceptional Education and Student Services Department is looking for volunteers to serve as surrogate parents. For program details and information, contact Judy Glendenning, FDLRS/Crown, Parent Services at 904-346-4601.
For more information, contact the
Community and Family Engagement Office.
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 Florida and Duval County Public Schools are participating in National School Bus Safety Week from Oct. 18-22, 2010, reminding all motorists to exercise caution as school buses hit the roads and highways each day. Schools and safety advocates throughout the Sunshine State are using the week as an opportunity to highlight the importance of school bus safety. Florida's theme for the week, Stop on Red, Kids Ahead, reminds motorists that they must stop when a school bus flashes its red lights and extends its stop arms.
For years, school buses have provided safe access to learning for Florida’s school children through secure and dependable transportation to schools. The safety of the yellow school bus is unparalleled by any other means of automotive transportation. School buses are equipped with more safety features than any other vehicle and are required to meet numerous safety specifications, including state and federal requirements. In addition, all public school bus operators receive rigorous, specialized training on a variety of topics before they can take the wheel behind the big yellow bus.
More than one million students ride the school bus in Florida each day, with more than 26 million schoolchildren transported in 480,000 school buses nationwide.
For useful tips for drivers and for students, visit
www.FloridaSchoolBusSafety.gov.
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Biennial Bookmark Contest
 The Jacksonville Public Library Biennial Bookmark Contest will kickoff October 18th with the announcement of the theme, which includes two new twists for library cardholders to get their creative juices flowing – combine art with poetry and conservation. The contest is open to all ages and artistic levels.
Download the
flyer here.
Special to this year's contest, the Library has partnered with the Language of Conservation (LOC) program initiative, which explores the use of poetic language at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens exhibits to encourage more meaningful consideration of wildlife conservation.
Check jaxpubliclibrary.org for updated information, to download entry forms and find out more about the LOC.
Teen Read Week
 The Jacksonville Public Library invites you to the Teen Read Week "My favorite book" video contest reception to view video entries and support your peers as the winner of the grand prize iPad is announced by a special video from Mayor John Peyton.
Talking Book/Special Needs Library
 The Jacksonville Public Library's Talking Book/Special Needs Library provides books, magazines and descriptive videos as a free service to school age children and young adults with a disability in Jacksonville.
Materials are provided through the mail to students and schools. Books are available from the kindergarten through the high school level. Students, as well as their schools, are encouraged to register for this service. If you have any questions or would like to request a staff member visit your school to speak with staff, please call 904-630-1999.
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Duval County has recently created an updated strategic plan that we are calling Strategic Plan Version 2.0, and we would like your input. This updated plan builds upon the successes of our original plan, as well as increases our emphasis on areas for improvement.
The DRAFT version, attached
here, has been reviewed with the School Board and they are considering if further changes are recommended.
In the meantime, we would like to invite you to review the DRAFT version and provide your comments either
online or by attending the upcoming Public Hearing regarding the Strategic Plan Version 2.0 which will be held at 1701 Prudential Drive, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1.
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October
19 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - Teacher Supply Depot, 3108 Lenox Ave., 10 a.m. |
20 |
Student Early Release Day |
25 |
Teacher Planning Day (No school for students) |
25 |
District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
November
1 |
School Board Meeting/Strategic Plan 2.0 Public Hearing - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 6 p.m. |
3 |
Student Early Release Day |
11 |
Veterans' Day (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
12 |
Weather Day |
16 |
Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, Cline Auditorium, 10 a.m. |
17 |
Student Early Release Day |
22 |
District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting - DCPS Administration Building, 6th Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. |
24 |
Weather Day |
25-26 |
Thanksgiving (Schools and District Offices Closed) |
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On June 13, 2008, Governor Crist signed into law Senate Bill 856, creating section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes, entitled "Disability History and Awareness Instruction." The legislation requires school districts to designate the first two weeks of October of each year as Disability History and Awareness Weeks.
For information about how DCPS is recognizing these weeks, visit our
website.
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Duval County Public Schools
1701 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
www.duvalschools.org
Superintendent
Ed Pratt-Dannals
School Board Members
Frequently Called Numbers
Main Line
904-390-2000
Transportation
904-858-6200
Human Resources
904-390-2840
School Board Office
904-390-2293
Community & Family
Engagement
904-390-2960
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News Update
Looking for the latest school and district news? Read our most recent news releases, visit our
Spotlight on Education section or tune in to dcpsTV for a detailed look into what's going on at DCPS.
Speakers Bureau Available
DCPS would love to speak to your group to discuss our financial resources, teacher effectiveness, and the academic programs and learning opportunities we provide. Call 904-390-2126 to request a knowledgeable speaker to address your organization or association.
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