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Alberto Carvalho Named State's "Superintendent Of The Year"

TAMPA (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho has been named the state's Superintendent of the Year.

The announcement was made during the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS) during their 68th annual joint conference in Tampa.

Carvalho served as keynote speaker for the event, using the theme "The Miami Miracle", a phrase used nationally to describe the unprecedented academic turnaround of the country's fourth largest school district.

"Those who choose the path as a public school superintendent do so not for the glory but rather the opportunity to make a positive difference in children's lives, and Superintendent Carvalho has certainly proved this time and again as he has diligently worked to raise the educational bar for Miami-Dade County Public Schools," stated FADSS Chief Executive Officer and Florida Senator Bill Montford. "Alberto is not only an exceptional superintendent with a proven track record of success; he is a true servant leader committed to educational excellence and he is very deserving of this award."

Carvalho has served as Miami-Dade County Public Schools' leader for five years.

Under his leadership, high schools that were threatened with closure by the state were transformed from D and F schools into A, B, and C schools, earning a visit from President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. His administration also was able to retain money in their budget for art, music and language offerings which flourished in the county school system while those same programs were cut by other districts.

Carvalho was named by Scholastic Magazine as one of "The Fantastic Five" educators making a difference in America and has been honored repeatedly for his work in education and business management.

Last year, Carvalho accepted the coveted 2012 Broad Prize for Education on behalf of the educators, parents and volunteers who helped close the achievement gap for Miami-Dade's minority students.

Carvalho will represent the Sunshine State for consideration as national superintendent of the year.

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