In January of 2020 Dr. Avossa launched K-12 LeadershipMatters (www.k-12leadershipmatters.com). As an executive consultant he has been supporting school districts across the country to improve outcomes for kids while driving efficiencies that lead to further investment with the most fragile children. Robert ran the largest and most respected special education group – LRP National Institute for 2 years – creating SEL frameworks, competencies, and communities of practice as well as editorial content and training materials ensuring schools were complying with all IDEA and Federal laws. Dr. Avossa spent 25 years as a teacher, principal, executive leader, and school superintendent in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. Robert ended his career in public education as school superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools, the 10th largest district in the country with a student enrollment of nearly 200,000 students. The annual budget exceeded $2.5 billion, and the district employed nearly 25,000 employees.
The District made rapid gains in student achievement under Dr. Avossa’s leadership. For the first time in many years, Palm Beach County had NO “F” rated schools and earned an overall district rating of A from the Florida Department of Education. The District outperformed all other Florida large urban districts by ranking first or second in state accountability categories for English Language Arts, Science, Math, Civics, and U.S. History. In total, 61% of all Palm Beach County schools were rated “A” or “B” schools.
Dr. Avossa is a Broad Academy Fellow and a member of Chiefs for Change, an esteemed network of state and district education chiefs. He has served locally on the boards for the American Heart Association and Center for Creative Education, and he speaks nationally on education issues.
