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Orange County School organization that works to bring human resources   Communities In Schools (CIS) of Sangamon County, Inc. is an organization that works to bring human resources from the surrounding community together with individual schools to "fill the gaps" where services and programs are needed. Our objective is to bring together the people who can help children be successful in school and in life by meeting social, emotional and health needs. With a human resources safety net in place right in the school, teachers are able to focus upon teaching and students are ready to learn. Essentially the school becomes a hub in the community, creating a stronger learning environment where everyone benefits “ and all at no cost to the schools.The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) has recognized Florida’s Orange County Schools for significant improvement in raising student test scores in math and reading. The CGCS is the only national organization dedicated to the advancement of large, urban public schools. It comprises 66 separate districts. Orange County Schools were one of only 9 big school districts to surpass state averages in math, and one of ten to do so in reading. Orange County Schools view this as evidence of progress in closing the wide achievement gap experienced by minorities around the country. With 177,000 students in about 170 schools, Orange County Schools operate the 11th largest public school in the nation. Part of the challenge for Orange County Schools is to address the issues of diversity that often result with minority students lagging behind. Students attending Orange County Schools come from 179 different countries and speak 137 different languages and dialects. One way Orange County Schools are trying to address issues of language diversity is by encouraging all students in foreign language fluency. Magnet programs in immersion and dual language are offered starting at the elementary school level in French, English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Immigration issues and education are a hot topic nationwide. Yet Orange County Schools remain among a minority of public schools to offer immersion programs at the elementary level. Statewide test results also show significant improvement in Orange County Schools. Results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for writing show improvement in every grade level to which it was administered. Fourth grade scores improved by 6%, 8th grade scores by 5%, and 10th grade scores by 4%. These results put Orange County Schools above 5 of its 6 neighboring counties. Only Broward County Schools outpaced Orange County Schools by 1%. The Orange County School that showed the greatest improvement was Ivey Lane Elementary, which showed a 33% rise in test results. Orange County Schools employ a number of different methods to help improve academic success and close the achievement gap. Among the most notable are the different school choice options. Charter schools, magnet schools, and contract schools are all offered. There are also opportunity scholarships available to allow children in a failing school to attend a more successful private or public school. With its large minority population, Orange County Schools continues to seek innovative ways to provide students with practical opportunities for success. As with any large, urban district Orange County Schools have areas in need of improvement. But the numbers indicate that they are on the right path.The Orange County Schools ’ Special Education Alliance was created by the 28 districts in Orange County in . The primary goal of the Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance is to meet the need for a countywide system that can focus on special education. This includes offering staff development and training to school employees, creating leadership in advocating for legislative and administrative change, overseeing the decisions and rulings rendered by administrative agencies, offering a way to fund the litigation and appeals of administrative and judicial decisions and rulings especially when the outcome has a countywide significance or precedent setting in its implications for all students. The Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance was created with the intention of addressing all the concerns of all students regardless of if the student has any manner disability. Any student that is not receiving the full services they need changed because of lack of funding to support mandates created under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The main problem that Orange County Schools faces with meeting this federal mandate is drawing funds from the regular education program. Funds are often taken from the regular education program to support the needs of special education students. Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance aims to provide the services all students need to be successful in meeting academic standards. Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance plans to accomplish this goal by providing staff development to its practitioners, use the legislative process to seek adequate funding to provide these high quality services, and when necessary, support litigation to achieve these goals. Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance also encourages staff members, parents, advocates and organizations to get involved by using their voices and contact the local officials and hold them accountable for promises and mandates for which regular education and special needs children are entitled. Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance is lead by an Executive Committee that is composed of Superintendents from different school districts across Orange County. The actual carrying out of the goals is the responsibility of the Review Committee.   The Review Committee is comprised of five Superintendents regionally nominated, Orange County Schools’ legal counsel, two private attorneys representing school districts in special education matters, two SELPA directors, and one business administrator. The Review Committee has been working hard for the past two years in order to try and meet the goals of the Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance. Even though the focus of the Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance is in the areas of legal and funding, it tries hard to work closely with teachers and staff members so that its members are informed about the needs of the schools at root levels. Since the Orange County Schools’ Special Education Alliance was created it has accomplish a great deal to meet the needs of the school districts across Orange County.The School Choice Program in Pinellas County Florida has gained popularity over the last few years. Parents have the opportunity to help choose which school their child will attend in the Tampa Bay area. Schools are narrowed down by zoning into smaller categories and you can choose your schools from that selection. In Pinellas County there are so many great schools to choose from parents often find themselves torn between multiple schools. In northern Pinellas County in areas such as Palm Harbor, and East Lake there are many top rated schools to choose from. These parents have a tough choice. Brooker Creek, Cypress Woods, Leila Davis and Garrison Jones Elementary are some of the top choices in this area. These schools excel in attendance, teacher retention, FCAT testing and parent support. For older students, Palm Harbor University High School, Countryside High and East Lake High School are excellent at academics, athletics and the arts. Many of these students go on to college or higher education. In the middle of this county are cities such as Largo, and Seminole. Seminole High School remains a top choice for this area and has an excellent parent involvement group, athletics, marching band and arts department. Osceola High School is the only Fundamental High School in the county and attracts students from miles away to attend this popular institution. For younger students Bauder Elementary as well as Oakhurst and Orange Grove Elementary are wonderful places to start your education. The parents are active, the schools are clean and in safe neighborhoods and children thrive in these schools! In the southern side of the county, St. Petersburg High and Boca Ciega High are schools that attract students for many magnet programs. Some of the most popular include St. Petersburg's International Baccalaureate (IB) program for gifted or top ranked students, Boca Ciega has a strong focus on medical and engineering, and Gibbs High School has an excellent theatre program. These schools appeal to students from miles away who wish to get an advantage in certain subjects that will help them pursue their higher goals later after high school. No matter which school you choose, you can be sure that Pinellas County maintains high standards in all their schools. Teachers are constantly challenging themselves and their students and testing shows where they can improve if their school is lacking in any way. This county strives to remain a great place to educate and raise your children.
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