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Front Page » Education » Alberto Carvalho keeps a pledge: graduation rate tops 90%

Alberto Carvalho keeps a pledge: graduation rate tops 90%

Written by on January 11, 2022
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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Alberto Carvalho keeps a pledge: graduation rate tops 90%

In 2021, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) had a graduation rate of 90.1%.

The graduation rate was 58.7% in the spring of 2007. Alberto Carvalho, who took over as superintendent in 2008, promised the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce that in 10 years, they would see that rise to 90%. Although it took longer than one decade, he beat his goal before he leaves for Los Angeles next month to become superintendent there.

“There are three critical factors in how the graduation rate increased,” Mr. Carvalho told Miami Today on Tuesday. The first is MDCPS’s focus on individual students. “The guidance counselors and staff are heavily trained on the students’ individual support,” Mr. Carvalho said. “This training is so important because the faculty aren’t just tools to schools, but to personalizing individual students’ support.”

The second factor is the guidance during the pandemic. “Where many districts couldn’t continue,” he said, “we pivoted quickly and adapted better than most districts to continue education and allows students to graduate.”

Finally, new digital tools were developed to keep better track of students’ classroom performance. “Policymakers could see microtrends on the schools’ performance. We weren’t just waiting until the end of the year to see who graduated. We were watching their performance throughout the year.”

MDCPS surpassed counterparts statewide with the 2021 graduation rates.

“All races are outperforming the state,” said Mr. Carvalho. From 2015 to 2021, Hispanic students improved 11.7% to 90.9%, black students improved by 15.2% to 85.6% and white students improved by 5.3% to 93.6%. Students with disabilities improved 18% to reach 83.6%, economically disadvantaged students improved by 13.8% to 89.1%, and English Language Learners improved from a 25.3% graduation rate to 86.8%.

The students’ improvement surpassed counterparts statewide in overall graduation, Hispanic, white, English Language Learners and economically disadvantaged students. “Our students outperform the state and show a faster rate of improvement,” said Mr. Carvalho. This graduation increase is a community-wide benefit, he said.

“These students ensure economic viability because a historic number of students are meeting requirements of secondary training,” he said. “As Miami is emerging as a technology hub, they graduate with a skill set necessary to dominate the economy.”

There are graduates who remain in Florida after graduation to go to college, secondary training or the workplace, but also students who study across the country. “We have students going to Harvard, MIT, Georgia Tech and Yale,” said Mr. Carvalho. “They’re recruited as freshmen and promised a rewarding future. Companies from New York and California are moving to Miami but bringing their talent with them.”

Mr. Carvalho insists on better living conditions to keep graduates in Miami. “They can work, live and play in Miami within a reasonable distance. But the transportation system and living affordability is a nut we need to crack.”

“It is rewarding to see that K through 12 cranking out the talent,” said Mr. Carvalho. “Now we must have these graduates stay in Florida for college or have the premiere conditions so they return.”

  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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