| The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) has | | | | significant improvement in Orange County Schools. |
| recognized Florida's Orange County Schools for | | | | Results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment |
| significant improvement in raising student test scores | | | | Test (FCAT) for writing show improvement in every |
| in math and reading. The CGCS is the only national | | | | grade level to which it was administered. Fourth |
| organization dedicated to the advancement of large, | | | | grade scores improved by 6%, 8th grade scores by |
| urban public schools. It comprises 66 separate | | | | 5%, and 10th grade scores by 4%. These results put |
| districts. Orange County Schools were one of only 9 | | | | Orange County Schools above 5 of its 6 neighboring |
| big school districts to surpass state averages in math, | | | | counties. Only Broward County Schools outpaced |
| and one of ten to do so in reading. Orange County | | | | Orange County Schools by 1%. The Orange County |
| Schools view this as evidence of progress in closing | | | | School that showed the greatest improvement was |
| the wide achievement gap experienced by minorities | | | | Ivey Lane Elementary, which showed a 33% rise in |
| around the country. With 177,000 students in about | | | | test results. Orange County Schools employ a |
| 170 schools, Orange County Schools operate the 11th | | | | number of different methods to help improve |
| largest public school in the nation. Part of the | | | | academic success and close the achievement gap. |
| challenge for Orange County Schools is to address | | | | Among the most notable are the different school |
| the issues of diversity that often result with minority | | | | choice options. Charter schools, magnet schools, and |
| students lagging behind. Students attending Orange | | | | contract schools are all offered. There are also |
| County Schools come from 179 different countries | | | | opportunity scholarships available to allow children in a |
| and speak 137 different languages and dialects. One | | | | failing school to attend a more successful private or |
| way Orange County Schools are trying to address | | | | public school. With its large minority population, |
| issues of language diversity is by encouraging all | | | | Orange County Schools continues to seek innovative |
| students in foreign language fluency. Magnet | | | | ways to provide students with practical opportunities |
| programs in immersion and dual language are offered | | | | for success. As with any large, urban district Orange |
| starting at the elementary school level in French, | | | | County Schools have areas in need of improvement. |
| English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Immigration issues | | | | But the numbers indicate that they are on the right |
| and education are a hot topic nationwide. Yet Orange | | | | path. |
| County Schools remain among a minority of public | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, |
| schools to offer immersion programs at the | | | | providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and |
| elementary level. Statewide test results also show | | | | private K-12 schools. |