The concept of the Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) was first written into Florida state law in 1991 as part of the Blueprint 2000 plan for educational reform and accountability. In 1991, School Advisory Councils (SACs) were entrusted with assisting in the development of the School Improvement Plan.
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, embraced these state mandated bodies. In a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the United Teachers of Dade (UTD), adopted in 1996, the School Board renamed the School Advisory Councils and authorized them to provide all stakeholders with a role in decision making which impacts instruction and the delivery of educational programs. The Councils were renamed Educational Excellence School Advisory Councils (EESACs) in 1999 when Blueprint 2000 was revised to become Florida’s High-Quality Education System. At that time, the Councils were also charged with assisting principals in the development of school improvement plans as well as the schools’ budgets.
The EESAC is the sole body responsible for final decision making relating to school improvement and accountability. This authority is delineated in Florida Statute 1001.452, in Miami-Dade County School Board Rule Policy 2125, and in Miami-Dade County Public Schools/United Teachers of Dade Contract, Article XXVI, Section 5.
The EESAC’s additional responsibilities include the following:
- To bring together all stakeholders and involve them in an authentic role in decisions which affect instruction and the delivery of programs.
- To assist in the preparation and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) required from each school.
- To address all state and district goals and the authority to periodically review the SIP and amend it, as needed.
If you would like additional information regarding the EESAC, please visit the state website noted below.