"Superintendents Unplugged," hosted by Strategos Group’s Partner and former District Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), Addison Davis, offers an exclusive look into the journeys, challenges, and successes of superintendents nationwide. Through in-depth conversations, the podcast fosters a community where leaders can exchange ideas and best practices, ultimately inspiring and empowering educators, students, and stakeholders as they navigate the ever-evolving education landscape.

In this special episode, recorded at the 68th annual Council of the Great City Schools conference in Dallas, Texas, Davis welcomes Alberto M. Carvalho, renowned educational leader and current Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD). Together, they explore the impact of data-driven decision-making, leadership risks, and a shared belief in doing everything possible to raise the bar of schools to achieve equitable student success.

Data-Driven Leadership and Proven Results

Carvalho’s 14 years as superintendent of the fourth-largest district in Miami Dade and now leading the second-largest district in the U.S. in LA Unified have demonstrated the importance of data-driven best practices that lead to better educational outcomes. Structured accountability processes, like the Data Dialogue Process implemented in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, are paying dividends in today’s LAUSD.

"You have to deploy and apply the true and the tested that has produced results elsewhere with similar demographic profile students. Honest data-informed conversations where the principals sit with the executive team and me at the cabinet table to explain their data, strategy, and goals," Carvalho stated. According to Carvalo, “that’s the magic sauce” in district climates where urgency is heightened. Leadership and schools deserve solutions with answers revealed and applied immediately in real-time, especially in struggling schools. In his opinion, the difference maker is assembling a team of individuals with the perfect balance of belief, skills, and will. 

The hard work has resulted in robust recent achievement data for Los Angeles, showing a historic increase in student performance across all tested grade levels and subjects, particularly among underperforming student groups. “There was a 500% rate of growth improvement in LA Unified compared to the state of California in reading and 300% in math,” Carvalho enthusiastically revealed. “And where was that improvement seen in the most significant way? With the historically lowest-performing schools. Grades 3,4 and 5 improved at 3-5 times the rate of improvement of the district. Guess what else? African American students, English language learners, Latino students, and socioeconomically depressed students outperform their counterparts across the state for the very first time.” 

In Carvalho’s eyes, leadership should be hands-on, especially in struggling schools. "That is done by, number one, bringing the leader closer to those schools and bringing those schools closer to leadership," he explained. By differentiating funding, elevating accountability, and intensifying support, districts can create an environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed.

The Power of Risk and Equity in Leadership

A key component of Carvalho’s leadership philosophy is the willingness to take calculated, thoughtful risks to enact meaningful change. "If you don't take big risks, the reward will never happen. You get fired for lack of results. So my bet is, risk being fired," he asserted. His approach reflects the belief that bold decision-making yields transformative results grounded in data and best practices.

Equity remains at the heart of Carvalho’s leadership. "I've never met broken kids, but I've met systems that break their spirits, dreams, and aspirations," he said. His mission is to fix systemic inefficiencies that hinder student achievement. Resource allocation, leadership selection, and targeted interventions help historically underserved communities excel beyond expectations.

Davis added that the achievements in LAUSD under Carvalho strongly signify the importance of strong team building and commitment to student success. "Selecting the right principals, giving them the resources, and the tools they need... all these things are a part of it," Davis said, reiterating leadership’s role in creating sustainable improvements.

Lessons for Aspiring Superintendents

Carvalho offered words of wisdom for those looking to step into or advance within the role of superintendent: "Know your vision, know who you are, know your why, develop your how, perfect your practice, and learn from the best practices out there." He also emphasized the need for collaboration and mentorship, encouraging superintendents to seek guidance and support from experienced leaders, something Davis found invaluable when he led a district. 

"Superintendents don’t do that enough. We do not lean on one another sufficiently," Carvalho noted, urging leaders to embrace continuous learning and professional growth. “No matter how high your position or career level, you can continually refine and improve. Adapt practices that work and abandon those that don't. Sometimes, the best way to do that is by having a voice available to you to independently and objectively advise you.” he said. 

Davis lauded Carvalho for his many years of commitment and inspiration through grace and action. His work has inspired many education leaders, including Davis, during his tenure as a superintendent. “For me, it's personal, just like it is personal to you. I see myself in the eyes of the kids I serve,” added Carvalho. “As an immigrant to this country, education saved and made me. I went from being a poor, homeless kid in this country, sleeping under a bridge blocks away from the office that years later I would occupy as superintendent in Miami. Moving to Los Angeles, the place of “the stars,” felt like a dream, but it was not a dream. The belief, skill, and will I discussed earlier can turn anyone's impossible into everyone's inevitable. It happened to me. It must happen for the millions of people we educate across America. That's why I do what I do.”

To hear more from this uplifting conversation, watch the episode of Superintendents Unplugged, part of the Strategos Podcast Network (SPD).