FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

John L. Winn

Commissioner of Education

F. PHILIP HANDY,

Chairman

T. WILLARD FAIR,

Vice Chairman

Members

DONNA G. CALLAWAY

JULIA L. JOHNSON

ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ

PHOEBE RAULERSON

LINDA K. TAYLOR

June 16, 2005

MEMORANDUM

TO: School District Superintendents

Members, District School Boards

School District Principals

Community College Presidents

Boards of Trustees, Community Colleges

State University Presidents

Board of Trustees, State Universities

FROM: John L. Winn

SUBJECT: Frank Newman Award for State Innovation

It is my distinct honor to announce that in recognition of Florida’s outstanding progress in

providing a high quality education for its children, the Education Commission of the States will

bestow the Frank Newman Award for State Innovation on Florida Governor Jeb Bush. The

award, jointly shared by Utah Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, will be presented during the 2005

National Forum on Education Policy in Colorado in July.

Florida students have made tremendous academic progress under the leadership of Governor

Bush. The A+ Plan for Education, enacted in 1999 during the Governor’s first term in office,

ensures that every student gains at least a year’s learning for each year in school. The hard

work of Florida’s teachers and school leaders, parents, and community have made these

learning gains possible and I am extremely proud of their performance.

Please accept my gratitude and praise for a job well done. As partners in the mission toward

high academic standards, we each played an integral role in forming the policies and strategies

students and their future.

JW/la

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