'Dear Parents, Teachers, Administrators and Community Members,

            During the 2007-08 school year, we continue to make strides in the work that we do for children.  Parents, teachers, administrators, and community members at-large have kept the focus of our goals on teaching and learning.  Our accomplishments are apparent in many areas.  For example, the newly adopted K-5 Science textbooks, the continuation and enhancement of the K-12 Science plan, the 11th grade integrated science curriculum, and the establishment of essential labs for our K-12 students are helping to increase the focus on science throughout the District.  In our promotion of literacy, we are in the third year of working with our summer demonstration schools and we held our second annual Reading Rally for 11,000 elementary students.  Our secondary reading campaign, Get up and Read, encourages students to read for pleasure.  We have also been successful in attaining a range of grants that will have a universal effect within our school district for teachers and students; for example, the American History grant will provide 20 teachers with Master’s degrees and 180 teachers with quality professional development from notable scholars and instructors.  In addition, new mathematics and science standards will be rolled out during the 2008-09 school year.

            Looking at further achievements and accomplishments, we are extremely proud of this year’s implementation of Secondary School Reform; this reform is seeing an overwhelming response and increase in the number of participating schools.  Our Secondary School Reform initiative is currently in place at 11 model high schools in the District; these schools not only provide structures for the delivery of an eight-class schedule, but more importantly, they have restructured the delivery of services to students.  This restructuring effort is the blueprint of success as we provide our students with smaller learning communities, internships, and mentorships.  This important development may be among one of the most important tools in establishing and creating life-long learning careers and interests as students transition into adulthood.

            As we continue to enhance the many educational opportunities for all students of Miami-Dade County, teachers, parents, administrators, and the community must continue to provide a solid foundation of support for student achievement.  The motto for Miami-Dade County Public Schools is Giving Our Children the World.  With your assistance, we will continue to make good on that promise.

Best Wishes,

Mrs. Antoinette Dunbar
Deputy Superintendent