[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALLEN B. WEST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. WEST. Mr. Speaker, I realize education is essential for every 
child in our nation. Education is the great equalizer and with a sound 
education any child can live the American Dream.
  As a former teacher in Broward County, Florida, I am proud to 
congratulate Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) for the 11 high 
schools in their county receiving top national ranking in the 
Washington Post.
  The Washington Post named 11 Broward County high schools in its High 
School Challenge list of top 1,900 public high schools in the nation. 
The schools were Fort Lauderdale (109), Marjory Stoneman Douglas (238), 
Nova (285), Miramar (355), Cooper City (376), Stranahan (431), J.P. 
Taravella (507), Flanagan (554), Plantation (739), Coral Springs 
Charter (983) and Pembroke Pines Charter (1,108) high schools join an 
elite group of public high schools nationwide. The Washington Post list 
represents only seven percent of schools across the United States.
  Fort Lauderdale High School placed top among Broward high schools, 
with a national ranking of 109 and a state ranking of 24. According to 
the Washington Post, the Challenge Index's formula is to divide the 
number of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or 
other college-level tests a school gave in 2010 by the number of 
graduating seniors.
  The Washington Post advises that while the index is not a measure of 
the overall quality of the school, the rating can reveal the level of a 
high school's commitment to preparing average students for college. 
With a few exceptions, public schools that achieved a ratio of at least 
1.000, meaning they had as many Advanced Placement and International 
Baccalaureate tests in 2010 as they had graduates, are noted on the 
national list.
  The Broward County Public School System is the nation's sixth largest 
public school system and the largest fully accredited district with 
over 234,600 students in more than 230 schools and education centers. 
The Broward County Public School System is committed to giving all 
students access to a college-ready, job-ready curriculum that meets 
rigorous expectations which prepares students for post-secondary 
options and also ensures that students are able to be successful and 
complete post-secondary schooling once they begin.
  To ensure student's can succeed in the 21st century, I will always 
focus in Congress on what's best for students, parents, teachers, and 
communities. This means helping children achieve their full and unique 
potential by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in 
the 21st century workforce. I believe the Federal Government must 
restore local control, empower parents, let teachers teach, and protect 
taxpayers. These principles should guide our efforts to reform federal 
education policy and protect the rights and responsibilities of states 
and local communities when it comes to educating the next generation.

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