Carvalho Named Finalist For Top State Education Honor

MIAMI (CBS4) – The man usually congratulating other South Florida educators for winning awards may soon win a big award of his own.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was recently named one of five finalists for the coveted District Data Leader of the Year Award.

Finalists were selected for their exceptional leadership in using data to boost student achievement in their school districts.

Carvalho, who leads the fourth-largest school district in the U.S., was recognized for directing a Data Assessment & Technical Assistance/Coordination of Management (DATA/COM) process, which oversees the timely operational needs of the school district's most struggling schools. It also provides resources to address critical issues in an efficient and effective manner.

The other superintendent finalists include MaryEllen Elia of Hillsborough County, Alexis Tibbetts of Okaloosa County, Joseph Joyner of St. Johns County, and Michael Lannon of St. Lucie County.

The District Data Leader of the Year Award was created by the Florida Department of Education's Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement to honor school district leaders who play a pivotal role in encouraging the use of data and communicating its importance to school staff, administrators, parents, students and other external stakeholders.

The winner of the District Data Leader of the Year Award will be announced October 19th in Tallahassee.