LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
October 31, 2017
Established 1915
BROWARD
County Public Schools
Robert W. Runcie, Superintendent
Whether you are a student, parent, District employee or community member, now more than ever it is important that we
all work together to defend and support our public schools.
At the heart of our democracy is the belief that every child deserves a free, public education regardless of individual life
circumstances or social economic status. Education is the great equalizer, allowing our youth to turn their dreams into
reality. Each day, in Broward County alone, more than 271,500 students rely on our Districts outstanding teachers,
administrators and staff to provide a high-quality education that will prepare them for their futures.
This is a tremendous responsibility, and one that our District takes seriously. We are working hard every day to provide
all students with safe, secure and innovative educational environments that motivate our students in ways they want to
learn. I am extremely proud of the work we are doing across Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) to support our
students. We are making great progress, with increased academic achievements, graduation rates that are the highest
in five years, and advanced placement pass rates that are the highest in a decade.
In 2011, when I became Superintendent of BCPS, our District was facing enormous challenges. Public trust had
deteriorated, the District was facing a potential $66 million fine for not complying with Class Size Reduction, BCPS led
the entire state of Florida in student arrests and expulsions, and student enrollment had declined by more than 8,100
students between 2008 and 2011. In addition, state budget cuts, skyrocketing healthcare costs and operational
inefficiencies created a bleak financial situation, causing the District to implement layoffs and furloughs for employees.
Fast forward six years, with the support of a dynamic School Board, effective leadership, dedicated employees, and
incredible community support, we are moving forward on the right path. We created and recently recalibrated our
Districts strategic plan, maintaining our focus on high-quality instruction, continuous improvement and effective
communication. Through our strategic efforts, we are changing perceptions, increasing expectations and creating bright
futures for our children.
BCPS has come a long way since 2011. Inside this booklet is a snapshot of just some of our Districts incredible
accomplishments over the past six years. I am extremely humbled and proud of everyone involved in the success of
our students from our teachers, administrators and staff to our parents, volunteers, and community and business
partners. Every child has a gift for the world; lets continue working together to help them unwrap it.
Sincerely,
Look inside for
#BCPSProud Highlights
Robert W. Runcie
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent
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#BCPSProud
October 31, 2017
Established 1915
BROWARD
County Public Schools
50,000+ STUDENTS
engaged in computer science and more than
IMPROVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE 1,000 teachers trained in computer science.
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) browardschools.com/browardcodes
graduation rate is the highest in five years.
BCPS school grades show continued ENHANCING LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
improvements. In 2016/17:
In 2013, BCPS became the first district in the
96 percent of schools earned an A, B or nation to partner with Code.org to increase
C. students access to computer science. BCPS is
now a national model for computer science in
95 percent of schools maintained or
schools with courses, curriculum and activities in
increased their letter grade.
100 percent of District schools and reaching
59 schools earned an A, an increase from 50,000 students in 2017/18.
41 in 2016. Of these schools, 39 maintained
their A from 2016. The Digital Classrooms Initiative, launched in
2013/14 with 27 schools, now includes 100
13 schools increased by two or more letter elementary schools, offering a blended and
grades. personalized learning environment to maximize
learning.
BCPS reduced the number of schools earning
a D or F. Only two schools earned an F, More BCPS middle schools are now offering the
compared to 10 in 2016. Six schools earned Global Scholars program, with 19 schools in
a D, compared to 29 the prior year. 2017/18. This program connects BCPS students
with their peers around the world as they share
information and learn about cultures and
important global issues.
LARGEST DEBATE INITIATIVE IMPROVING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
in the nation - with approximately The Advanced Placement (AP) pass rate is the
12,000 elementary, middle and high highest in more than 10 years.
school students participating in 2017/18. In 2016/17, more than 9,200 industry certifications
browardschools.com/debate were earned by middle and high school students.
BCPS technical college students also earned the
most industry certifications in the state.
EXPANDING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS 2017/18 marks the third year that BCPS is
More District schools now offer Dual Language offering SAT testing day for all 11th grade
programs, increasing from four schools in students, allowing them to take the college
2011/12 to 41 schools in 2017/18. admission assessment during the school day at
no cost.
BCPS is the largest school district in the nation to
offer chess for every second grade student to
develop critical thinking skills, plus resources for
chess clubs for grades K-12.
BCPS is the only school district in Florida invited
by the Presidents Committee on the Arts and
Humanities to participate in its Turnaround Arts
Programs. This initiative uses the arts to improve
student achievement.
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#BCPSProud
October 31, 2017
Established 1915
BROWARD
County Public Schools
The District offers Naviance Family Connection, The SMART technology initiative reflects an
an interactive online planning tool, to all middle investment of more than $67.5 million.
and high school students and their families, to
help students develop career goals through Since the start of the SMART program, 33,127
academic planning, and college and career instruments and musical equipment items have
exploration. been delivered to District schools, with 24,259
more items ordered and on the way to schools.
INCREASING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS This represents an investment of more than $17
million to ensure BCPS students have the
BCPS is now a national leader for school instruments they need to develop and enhance
discipline reform for ending zero tolerance their music education.
policies for nonviolent offences in schools and
for increasing the Districts focus on appropriate, MAXIMIZING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES
targeted interventions and mentoring programs.
For the past three years, BCPS has remained in
The District transformed itself from having the compliance with Class Size Reduction
highest number of school-related arrests in the requirements, with no financial penalties from the
state in 2011, to having one of the lowest rates of state. In 2011, the District faced a potential $66
arrest in the state. Between 2014 and 2016, million fine for noncompliance.
school-related arrests across BCPS decreased
by approximately 78 percent. In addition, since BCPS has significantly improved student
2011 suspensions have been reduced by more transportation services, while simultaneously
than 60 percent. reducing operating costs by more than $9 million
from 2011-2016.
The Superintendent and District staff continue to
Since transitioning to a self-insured medical plan
receive invitations from around the country,
including from The White House and Federal in 2013, BCPS has saved more than $30 million
Office of Civil Rights, to share details about the and employees have not had to pay a
historic reforms instituted in BCPS. contribution for employee only medical premiums.
The District received the highest bond ratings in a
decade from Standard & Poors and Moodys.
SAFETY
SMART BOND PROGRAM
is moving forward and on track to be CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY
MUSIC & ART
ATHLETICS
RENOVATION
completed within five to seven years as Over the past six years, District leadership and
TECHNOLOGY originally promised. staff have spent thousands of hours attending
and hosting town hall-style meetings, and parent,
browardschools.com/smartfutures student and community engagement events and
activities to provide updates and to receive
MOVING FORWARD WITH THE SMART (SAFETY, feedback on the Districts initiatives and priorities.
MUSIC & ART, ATHLETICS, RENOVATION AND
TECHNOLOGY) PROGRAM
1,191 school facilities projects are in progress or
complete as of September 30, 2017. This reflects
an investment of more than $844 million and 87
percent of all SMART facilities projects.
The SMART technology initiative is now
completed, under budget and ahead of schedule,
with schools receiving new infrastructure/network
equipment, wireless access points, and more
than 83,000 new computer devices.
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FIRST FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT BCPS NAMED A 2017 GREAT DISTRICT
to earn the prestigious Districtwide Accreditation from FOR GREAT TEACHERS
AdvancEd in 1962. BCPS proudly earned re-accreditation by the National Council on Teacher Quality.
in 2016/17.
LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL 271,500+
6 th SYSTEM
in the nation
diverse pre-K 12th grade students
LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL 191
2 nd SYSTEM
in Florida
different languages spoken by BCPS
students from 204 countries
234 34,000+
innovative schools, centers and dedicated employees, including more
technical colleges than 15,000 instructional personnel
N AV I A N C E BCPS Mobile App
FA M I LY C O N N E C T I O N With the free BCPS mobile app, you
can see student grades and much
Start planning for your students future through this more! See your childs information
online college and career planning tool available through your smart device anytime,
to all BCPS middle and high school students. Visit anywhere. To register, visit
browardschools.com/naviance. browardschools.com/mobileapp.
Our District values include Strategic Plan
the tenets that all students Progress Report
learn when their individual The Strategic Plan Progress
needs are met, that the Report 2016/17 (Year One)
diversity of our community is provides a summary of the
Immigrant Support Resources valued and embraced, and
implementation status of key
the assurance of equitable initiatives associated with the
education and resources. To learn more, visit Literacy and Early Learning focus area. To learn
browardschools.com/immigrantsupportplan. more, visit browardschools.com/stratplan.
Connect with BCPS:
@browardschools facebook.com/browardschools browardschools.com
The School Board of Broward County, Florida Robin Bartleman Heather P. Brinkworth Abby M. Freedman Patricia Good Donna P. Korn Laurie Rich Levinson
Ann Murray Dr. Rosalind Osgood Nora Rupert Robert W. Runcie, Superintendent of Schools
The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race,
religion, sex or sexual orientation. The School Board also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Individuals who wish to file a discrimination and/or harassment complaint may contact the Director, of the Equal Educational
Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department & Districts Equity Coordinator/Title IX Coordinator at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), may contact the Equal Educational Opportunities/ADA Compliance Department at 754-321-2150 or Teletype Machine (TTY) 754-321-2158. browardschools.com
