Posted on June 9th, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
More Kudos for Citrus from Edu. Commissioner
This week once again Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart issued a special Press Release congratulating Citrus County along with three other Tampa Bay School Districts on improving student performance on FCAT Reading, Mathematics and Science. (see FL-DOE Press Release: http://www.fldoe.org/news/2014/2014_06_06-2.asp)
The press release stated that, “Citrus County improved in five of the seven assessment areas announced today, including a six percent increase in fifth grade science.”
Commissioner Stewart said, “I applaud teachers and school leaders for their focus on increasing student academic performance.” She went on to day, “As we transition to new standards and assessments next year, I am confident students will continue to succeed.”
We are so proud of these great results by our students, teachers, staff, administrators, district staff, and leadership of the executive team. We also know that our schools don’t accomplish this without wonderful volunteers, parents, family members and community members that each contributed greatly to these successes.
Comments Off on More Kudos for Citrus from Edu. Commissioner
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on June 6th, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
Frustrated Florida Public School Parent Letter to Gov.
I would encourage you to read this letter to Florida Gov. Scott, FL-DOE Commissioner Pam Stewart as well as a superintendent, and school board members from an understandably frustrated Florida public school parent from Seminole County. Follow this link to letter: http://www.lynnerigby.com/blog/2014/05/why-i-am-pulling-my-kids-from-public-elementary-school-a-letter-to-the-powers-that-be/
This letter reflects what parents, students, educators, school district leaders and board members have been expressing for several years now. While I personally feel for me Citrus public schools is still the best academically educational option for my own children, I can understand why some parents are looking at alternatives for their students. What is doubly frustrating is that the general public does not understand that it is NOT educators such as classroom teachers that are proponents of these high-stakes testing, but rather in Florida it is the State Educational Board, Department of Education and most especially the Florida Legislator that is. Often the very political groups that are now upset, angry and supportive of non-traditional public schools are the very people that were the architects of high stakes testing for public schools. These people will often defend their actions by saying “high-stakes testing is about accountability”. I say, “Hog-wash”! They have always had an agenda with high-stakes testing and it was not about what is best for students.
I am proud that on July 10th, 2012, that I along with the rest of the Citrus County School Board at the time unanimously pass a resolution opposing overemphasis on high-stakes testing. (Follow this link to see resolution: https://thomastalks.org/ccsb-on-high-stakes-testing/)
Comments Off on Frustrated Florida Public School Parent Letter to Gov.
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on May 24th, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
Posted on May 23rd, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
Citrus is High Performing School District for 2014
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart gives special congratulations to teachers and students in Citrus
It is with great excitement that I share that the Florida School Board of Education that the Citrus County School District has been designated as one of only eleven districts in Florida as an Academically High Performing District for 2014.
In addition Citrus County scores improved so much in Grade 8 writing (by 4% points) and Grade 3 reading (by 1%) that Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart issued a special press release congratulating teachers and students in Citrus County for notable gains on FCAT 2.0 Writing and Third Grade Reading and Mathematics. (Click here to read the press release)
There are even more detailed successes for Citrus County but these were a couple I wanted to share with you as soon as possible.
To be an Academically High Performing District, a district must maintain (but is not limited to) the following:
- The district earns a grade of “A” for 2 of the last three years
- Has no district-operated school that earns a grade of “F”
- Complies with class-size requirements
- Has no material weaknesses or instance of material noncompliance noted in the annual financial audit conducted
I am so proud of the great work by our students, teachers, staff, administrators, district staff, executive team, volunteers, parents, family members and community members that each contributed greatly to this success. GREAT WORK!!
Comments Off on Citrus is High Performing School District for 2014
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on May 19th, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
WE DID IT, 987 PETITIONS!!
While I spent more time getting the petitions collected then in 2010 in the end we had about twice as many volunteers then in 2010. WOW YOU ALL ARE AWESOME! We even had many signed petitions to spare.
Thank you to everyone who collected signatures, signed petitions cards and were supportive and encouraging.
I feel so blessed to serve Citrus County students and schools.
Comments Off on WE DID IT, 987 PETITIONS!!
Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on May 13th, 2014 by
Thomas Kennedy
Chronicle Editorial Board’s Column in support of CTE/WTI
Thank you to the Chronicle Editorial Board’s Column in Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 in support of CTE. I so appreciate the Chronicle for their support of CTE and for kindly including me in their article. The blog post the Chronicle is referring to that I wrote was, “National Technical Honor Society at WTI” (April 15, 2014) which you can read in it’s entirely by following this link https://thomastalks.org/?p=5970.
Below is an excerpt and link to the Chronicle’s Editorial article.
WTI students — they’ve got skills
THE ISSUE: WTI students shine in statewide competition.
OUR OPINION: Technical education a great road for the future.
In a time when jobs are tough to find, doesn’t it make sense to think about an education/training program with a very high placement rate? That’s what about 550 students a year have been doing right here in Citrus County.
Withlacoochee Technical Institute offers 21 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. A state rule requires WTI to track and meet standards for course completion rates, placement rates and licensure rates. The school far exceeds standards in all categories.
For job-seekers, it’s the placement rate that matters — that is, what percentage of students completing the programs get jobs in a related field? At WTI, the most recent report shows that 10 programs have 100 percent placement rates. Of the other programs, the lowest placement rate is 75 percent, and most are in the 80s and 90s. We call those pretty good odds.
Comments Off on Chronicle Editorial Board’s Column in support of CTE/WTI
Filed under: News & Updates
This week once again Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart issued a special Press Release congratulating Citrus County along with three other Tampa Bay School Districts on improving student performance on FCAT Reading, Mathematics and Science. (see FL-DOE Press Release: http://www.fldoe.org/news/2014/2014_06_06-2.asp) 
