[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 130 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 
          ON THEIR RECOGNITION AS AN ``EXAMPLE OF EXCELENCIA''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE GARCIA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2013

  Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Florida 
International University's College of Education for their recognition 
by Excelencia in Education as an ``Example of Excelencia'' for the 
College's ``Creating Latino Access to a Valuable Education'' or CLAVE 
program. CLAVE is a truly outstanding program that aims to increase the 
number of graduate degrees awarded to Hispanic American teachers and 
administrators by providing scholarships to complete masters and 
doctoral degrees.
  It brings me great pride to represent a university that not only 
leads the nation in awarding bachelor's and master's degrees to 
Hispanic students but is also deeply invested in its surrounding 
community.
  After receiving a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of 
Education, CLAVE was created as a collaborative effort between the 
College of Education and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). The 
program targets low performing urban schools within the school district 
as a way to enhance the professional development of teachers working in 
challenging academic environments and ultimately enhance the 
performance of the students they serve. CLAVE selects teachers that 
come from schools where more than 50 percent of the student population 
is Hispanic and less than half of the faculty holds Master's degrees.
  The financial support offered by CLAVE doesn't only expand the 
educational opportunities of Hispanic Americans through direct 
scholarships. This program also provides the College with resources to 
expand its institutional capacity by improving its Student Support 
Services, enhancing its mentoring support at the graduate level, 
strengthening academic quality, expanding technological infrastructure, 
and targeting the professional development of faculty.
  While this project focuses on expanding educational opportunities for 
Hispanic Americans, all students attending the College of Education 
benefit as do the MDCPS students who will gain better trained teachers. 
The results of the pre/post test that is used to measure changes in 
students' performance resulting from improved knowledge and skills of 
participating teachers and administrators in the program prove the 
benefits of CLAVE.
  CLAVE is a vehicle to enhance access for Hispanic-Americans to post-
baccalaureate degrees, and like FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said, 
``it is a great example of FIU's commitment to Miami-Dade's public 
schools, its teachers and its students.''
  Mr. Speaker, FIU and its College of Education are truly ``Examples in 
Excelencia'', and more universities should follow suit.

                          ____________________