Rick Scott Presents $15 Million in School Recognition Funds to Broward County Schools

Florida Gov. Rick Scott today acknowledged Broward Countys public schools that sustained high student performance or demonstrated substantial improvement in student performance by presenting a check totaling more than $15 million in School Recognition Program funding to Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. The check presentation was made before an audience of educators and community leaders at Piper High School in the city of Sunrise.

According to a release issued by Scott's office, schools can use their award dollars for faculty or staff bonuses, to purchase educational equipment or materials, or hire temporary staff to help maintain or improve student performance. Statewide, school recognition funding totals more than $134 million.

Florida students and teachers were ranked sixth for educational quality, our fourth-grade students scored among the best in the world in an international reading survey, and we recently learned Florida students are No. 1 for percentage of students taking an AP exam," Scott said in a statement. "In conjunction with our proposed $1.2 billion in educational funding as part of theFlorida Families First budget,the school recognition funding will allow our teachers and students to continue on their path of success.

Floridas School Recognition Program disburses financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an "A" school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year. Alternative schools that increase their school improvement rating or are rated improving also qualify for awards. The school staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award.