Florida Department of Education to lose another top official

MAY 19, 2009

Yesterday we learned that Florida's top testing official, Cornelia Orr, will leave the Department of Education to head the Nation's Report Card project.

Next out, the person who runs the state's teacher credentials department, including the much hyped myfloridateacher.com Web site, where you can check out state-level disciplinary actions against teachers.

Deputy chancellor for educator quality Pam Stewart (left) heads to St. Johns schools to become assistant superintendent of curriculum and learning, the St. Augustine Record reports.

Stewart was a principal in Marion schools before joining the Florida department of ed in 2004. Said St. Johns superintendent Joe Joyner:

"She has statewide background in all aspects of the educational
process, from teacher preparation to evaluation, and has experience as
a highly successful principal at both elementary and high schools. I
feel confident she is the right person to move our district forward and
continue the St. Johns County tradition of excellence."

The DOE is undergoing a transformation of sorts, faced with the same budget cuts as other state agencies. Others who are leaving or have left the department lately include deputy chancellor Iris Wilson and personnel director Teva Hightower. We'll keep you updated.

Posted by Ron Matus at 10:24:00 am on May 19, 2009 in

State Board of Education

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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