Two Broad Prize Co-Winners!

Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia's largest school district, was named a co-winner of the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education, with Orange County Public Schools in Florida.  

"Both of these districts show that it's possible to make sharp, sustained progress with a large, diverse population," says Bruce Reed, president of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, which sponsors the competition.

Mr. J. Alvin Wilbanks, chief executive officer and superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools attributes the district's success to effective educators. Gwinnett County has focused on leadership development and providing teachers with data, such as student achievement and attendance information to improve their instruction.

The districts will evenly split the $1 million prize - the largest award given in public education - and dole the money out as college scholarships for high school seniors.

Gwinnett County won the 2010 Broad Prize and was a finalist for the award in 2009.

Congratulations to GCPS! Great students... great teachers... great team! It's great to be a two-time winner!