Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart spoke at an Argus Foundation luncheon Thursday.

SARASOTA — At a time when school security may be on the minds of every Floridian, nearly two months after 17 students and teachers were shot in Parkland, Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart did not mention the topic and instead praised the state’s education system for ranking in the nation’s top 10 at an Argus Foundation luncheon Thursday, although she did not specify what rating system she was discussing.

Stewart, appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott in 2013, said her top priority is to close the achievement gap, an oft-stated phrase that refers to attempting to eliminate the differences in academic performance between students of varying racial backgrounds and socioeconomic status.