Charlie Crist Makes Education Task Force Appointments

On Thursday, Gov. Charlie Crist announced the appointment of members of the states Task Force on Educational Excellence to examine teacher pay and development, student competitiveness and focus on technology changes.

These committed Floridians understand that student achievement and teacher effectiveness are keys to strengthening Floridas talent pool of graduates entering our work force, said Crist. Its vital that every teacher in our state has the resources they need to prepare our students for the future.

Crist named Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho as the chairman of the task force. Carvalho led the states successful efforts to win federal monies through the Race to the Top competition.

This task force is a great opportunity to take bold steps toward improving the confidence and long-term success of Floridas students and teachers, said Carvalho. Education must be a top priority to secure a prosperous future for Florida.

The task force includes familiar faces in Tallahassee, like Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah, Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, Commissioner Eric Smith of the state Department of Education andAndy Ford from the FEA. Marshall Criser, the president of AT&T Florida is also on the task force. It also includes local education administrators, teachers, figures from higher education and parents.