Pam Stewart Named as Florida Commissioner of Education
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Pam Stewart Named as Florida Commissioner of Education
~ State Board of Education takes action at meeting in West Palm Beach ~Tallahassee, Fla., September 17, 2013 - At today's State Board of Education meeting in West Palm Beach, Board members voted unanimously to name Pam Stewart as the Commissioner of Education. Board members expressed confidence in Stewart's ability to work through the critical education issues facing Florida.
"I've had a chance to work closely with Pam," said State Board Chairman Gary Chartrand. "I think we are at a critical time, so we are going to look to her to work diligently to see us through these issues. There is a lot of work to be done and I am fully confident of her ability to make the right decisions for Florida's children."
"I appreciate the support of the Board and I can assure you I am cognizant of the times we are in and the critical nature of the work," said Commissioner Stewart. "I've spent 32 years in public education and I remain fully committed to the students of Florida. This is the time to look forward and get this critical work right for our students."
In other action today, Board members approved the 2014-15 Legislative Operating and Fixed Capital Outlay budget request.
Members also approved revised implementation plans for focus and priority schools as part of the state's differentiated accountability system for school improvement and approved comparative and concordant scores for the statewide assessment program. The Board also supported revisions to existing state board rule to identify industry certifications deemed sufficiently rigorous academically to qualify for full-time equivalent funding.
On agenda items related to the Florida College System, the Board established test scores that students must achieve to demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework and approved a number of new baccalaureate degrees at state colleges.