Florida TaxWatch Releases Findings of 2019 Roundtable Discussion with Top Principals and Education Leaders

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch (FTW) today released its Education Leadership Roundtable Summary Report, which explores ways to improve the overall quality of Pre-K - 12 education by examining the “best practices” of some of the state’s most effective public-school principals. The summary report includes key strategies for success discussed during the Friday, May 24 FTW Education Roundtable in Orlando, along with supporting research and key takeaways.

Roundtable participants included business leaders, past and present winners of the TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards, former state Representative Dr. Keith Arnold and former Florida Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Ray Monteleone. The participants discussed the obstacles to effective leadership, ways to attract and retain high-quality teachers, professional development for principals, how to get the most from educators and the benefits of principal autonomy.

“Florida TaxWatch is honored to have created this transformational program, the only one of its kind in the nation. We have partnered with great public and private entities to promote solid learning environments that will guarantee a bright future for the state of Florida and its next generation of leaders,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Thanks to feedback from outstanding educators, elected officials and community leaders, the Education Leadership Roundtable Summary Report is more than just a takeaway of observations and experiences shared. This insightful report represents the foundation for a successful school and for creating an environment in which not only schools, but all students can thrive. The PLA program transforms students’ lives and their respective communities throughout Florida.”

The FTW summary report identifies several best practices that were common among the principals, including:

• Knowing the name of every student;
• Being the first staff member students see each morning;
• Stressing parent involvement, and having an open-door policy;
• Caring about each student, to the point where they can recall a personal interaction with the principal;
• Being consistently involved and engaged in the classroom;
• Using data prominently in developing learning curriculum; and
• Creating a collaborative environment where teachers feel their voices are heard and respected.

Read the full Education Roundtable Summary Report here.

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for forty years, the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch, works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.