Legacy 2015 South Florida: Top Black Educators Issue | Page 6

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AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL

EXECUTIVE SUITE
By Zach Rinkins

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Meet Pamela Stewart: Florida’s Education Commissioner

Pam Stewart,
Florida Department of
Education Commissioner
Pam Stewart, Florida’s education
commissioner leads the Florida Department
of Education (FDOE), the single repository of
education data from school districts, state
and community colleges, universities and
independent post-secondary institutions.
FDOE has an operating budget of $18.6
billion; manages more than 2,400 full-time
positions; and oversees 28 locally-governed
public state colleges and 47 school district
technical centers.
“I have worked in Florida’s education
system for more than 30 years – as an
educator, principal and district administrator

and my single favorite part of my jobs has
always been seeing students reach and
exceed their goals,” Stewart affirmed. “As
Florida’s education commissioner, my goal
is to ensure every public school student
graduate has the skills and knowledge
they need to achieve their college, career
and life goals.” “Florida has made
significant strides in recent years. We can
credit that success to the department’s
commitment to working together with our
state’s college presidents, district
superintendents, principals, teachers,
parents and students to make sure we
institute policies and initiatives that give
our students the greatest chance at
making their dreams a reality.”
LM: Some critics feel the Florida
Standards Assessment is not a valid
assessment tool and that it’s culturally
biased. How does FDOE address these
claims for more equitable testing for
communities when English is not primary
language?
PS: “There are several methods the
department utilizes to ensure that there is
not a cultural bias on Florida assessments
and that accommodations are made for

students for whom English is a second
language. Regarding the FSA itself, test
assessment items are reviewed rejected
from consideration by Florida educators
and panels of Florida community
representatives to ensure that items are
free from cultural bias or sensitivity issues.
Every year item statistics are reviewed
further to ensure that they accurately
represent what students know and can do
with respect to Florida's standards.”
LM: What are the best ways for
minority businesses to compete for FDOE
procurement and business opportunities?
PS: “One of the most important steps
in conducting business with the State of
Florida is to ensure the company is
registered in MyFloridaMarketPlace
(MFMP). This is the prime vendor list that
all state agencies utilize when doing
business. When completing this
registration be sure to review the entire
commodities and services list. It is very
important to select commodity codes for
the product or service your company
provides.
Secondly, reach out to the State of
Florida Office of Supplier Diversity. If your

company meets certain criteria, you maybe
eligible to become a State of Florida
Certified Minority Vendor with the
Department of Management Services, Office
of Supplier Diversity.
Lastly, agencies have the ability to
procure products/services by using State
Term Contracts. These contracts are
administered by the Department of
Management Services and are required for
all agencies to utilize. You can contact the
Contract Manager of these contracts to
obtain more information or learn how you
may participate in future contracts.”
LM: How does the Division of Career and
Adult Education play a role in helping
residents increase their quality of life?
PS: “The Division of Career and Adult
Education has several roles in helping Florida
residents advance their education and
careers. Within the division there are four
separate areas of assistance: Career and
Technical Education; High School
Equivalency Diploma; Adult Education; and
Apprenticeship.”
For more information about
Commissioner Stewart or FDOE, log on to
www.FLDOE.org

Funding tomorrow one day at a time

The Florida Lottery
Over the past 27 years, as the Florida Lottery
has grown to become an industry leader, it
has remained a
dependable contributor to education in
Florida. More than $1 billion in each of the
past 12 fiscal years has
been contributed to education to help
support Florida’s students and schools. )