Rick Scott presents $15M to Broward schools

Check presentation made at Piper High School

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Rick Scott presented a check for more than $15 million in School Recognition Program funding to Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie on Monday.

The check presentation was made at Piper High School in Sunrise.

"Piper High School is receiving funding from the School Recognition Program because they improved two letter grades from last year," said Scott. "Florida students and teachers were ranked 6th for educational quality, our fourth-grade students scored among the best in the world in an international reading survey, and we recently learned Florida students are number one for percentage of students taking an AP exam."

"I think it's also been a cultural shift each of those years and with the emphasis on career and college readiness, that's made a huge impact, as well as what students' goals are," said Enid Valdez, the principal at Piper High School.

READ: Broward School District total

Florida's School Recognition Program acknowledges the quality of public schools by giving financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an ‘A' school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year.

Runcie said 14 schools in the district received an 'A' school grade.

"We give students great opportunities within our school system, just working hard, and setting high expectations and doing better and better each and every day," said Runcie. "The School Recognition Program rewards our best teachers and I am proud to say that Broward has many in this category."

"We are excited that Governor Scott is visiting Broward County and recognizing our teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to improved student achievement," said Broward School Board member Katie Leach. "The School Recognition Program rewards people who are going above and beyond in the classroom and instilling the value of life-long learning in our students."

Schools in Miami-Dade County are expected to receive about $19.6 million.