Florida Board of Education
The Florida Board of Education also known as the State Board of Education (SBE) is a committee composed of members appointed by the Florida Governor to guide and direct public K-12 & Community College education in Florida.
History
Since Reconstruction, the Commissioner of Education had been a Cabinet-level position, elected by the people and directly responsible for public education in Florida. The 1998 Constitutional Revision Commission proposed a rewrite of Article IV, Section IV of the Florida Constitution that reduced the Florida Cabinet from six elected officials to three. The voters approved the changes and it became effective January 7, 2003. The Florida Commissioner of Education became an appointed position and the FLDOE became the overall responsibility of the Governor. The revised constitution also created a new Florida Board of Education with seven members (one of whom is the Commissioner of Education), appointed by the Governor. The Florida Commissioner of Education manages the day-to-day operations of the FLDOE. The current commissioner is Dr. Eric J. Smith, appointed in 2007.
Mission
According to the Board’s website, their mission is to:
[...] increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by providing them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities, and to maintain an accountability system that measures student progress toward the following goals:
- Highest student achievement
- Seamless articulation and maximum access
- Skilled workforce and economic development
- Quality, efficient services.
— Florida Department of Education, [1]
Members
| Name | Position | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Gary Chartrand | Chairman | 12/31/2014 |
| Mr. Roberto Martinez | Vice-Chairman | 12/31/2012 |
| Mrs. Sally Bradshaw | Member | 12/31/2013 |
| Dr. A.K. Desai | Member | 12/31/2013 |
| Mrs. Barbara S. Feingold | Member | 12/31/2014 |
| Mr. John R. Padget | Member | 12/31/2012 |
| Ms. Kathleen Shanahan | Member | 12/31/2013 |
| Ms. Pam Stewart | Commissioner | (interim) |
Meetings
The Florida Board of Education meets at least bi-monthly in Tallahassee; more often if issues require it. Public hearings are also held periodically at locations throughout the state.