New Florida TaxWatch report explores best practices in educational leadership

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -

Florida TaxWatch recently convened some of Florida’s top educational leaders to discuss improving the leadership in our public school principals and today a summary report of that discussion in available publicly. The summary report, released today, includes the discussed strategies, a review of related educational literature, and a number of takeaways for consideration by policymakers and education professionals.

The nine current winners recognized by the TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards program – which recognizes principals whose schools achieve significant gains in student learning from some of Florida’s most challenging schools – were joined by three past program honorees, the Chair of the State Board of Education Marva Johnson, Representative Byron Donalds, former Representative and former Chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission Ronald Brisé, and a number of business and community leaders from across the state. In addition, the discussion was moderated by former Chief Financial Officer and Senate President Jeff Atwater.

Participants discussed obstacles to effective school leadership, ways to attract and retain high-quality teachers, professional development for principals, how to get the most from teachers, and principal autonomy.

“Florida TaxWatch has taken the lead on encouraging high performance and dedication to the state’s education system through the prestigious Principal Leadership Awards,” said former Senate President and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. “I applaud TaxWatch’s continuous effort to ensure that Florida has a bright future ahead. It was a privilege moderating this roundtable discussion with this remarkable group of educators and policymakers.”

"When Florida TaxWatch first established the Principal Leadership Awards five years ago, the ultimate goal was to recognize and reward Florida's highest-performing principals whose schools draw from predominately at-risk populations in order to encourage transformational practices throughout the state," said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. "The education roundtable discussion served as a part two of an already successful first of its kind program. However, this is also intended to be a starting point for further discussion and examination. We look forward to continuing the discussion with Florida lawmakers, our next Governor, the state board of education, colleges, universities, and school districts across the state during the 2019 legislative session and beyond."

“As Vice Chair of the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee and as a parent, I was honored to be a part of this imperative discussion with some of Florida’s finest principals,” said Representative Byron Donalds. “I am looking forward to applying what I’ve learned from this event and from Florida TaxWatch’s research towards making effective policy decisions in the Legislature.”

“Regular discussions between educators and lawmakers are crucial when deciding what is best for Florida’s future leaders,” said Center for Educational Performance & Accountability Advisory Board Chairman Ronald Brisé. “I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this conversation and to work with Florida TaxWatch to advocate for sound education policy and promote high academic achievement.”

Read the Education Roundtable Summary Report here. To learn more about Florida TaxWatch's Principal Leadership Awards program, click here.