ORLANDO, Fla. — New grades released for Florida schools on Friday show fewer F schools, but many schools also reported lower grades.
The release shows fewer Fs, but also fewer “A” marks across the state compared with last year.
The Department of Education said the number of F schools statewide dropped from 204 to 103 from last year. But results from Orange and Seminole counties also showed many schools dropped by at least one letter grade.
Grades for Central Fla. schools: EXCEL DOC | PDF DOC
Read: Link to all Florida scores | Department of Education results packet
Superintendents from across the region sent out statements on Thursday warning parents that a tougher scoring formula this year could lead to lower scores. This year’s scores include “learning gains,” a measure of student progress that wasn’t included last year because the Florida Standards Assessment was brand new.
“Even as we have continued to raise the bar for student performance and implemented more rigorous standards by which schools are graded, Florida’s educators and students have continued to excel,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said in a news release.
Eighteen schools in Seminole County went from an A school to a B school.
“To us, this is a baseline year. It's the first year where we have learning gains on the calculation utilizing the FSA,” said Seminole County Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin.
“We knew Seminole County had good schools. I think that is something to think about. It’s a huge thing for that area,” said parent Kelly Urbanik.
Kathleen Oropeza of Fund Education Now said “Really, what is most important is what happens in the classroom; how the district takes care of the teacher and the students, and how the students are doing on a day to day basis.”
The scores can have wide ranging impacts on a community, affecting everything from property values to financial awards. Schools that earn an A can get extra money; schools that perform poorly can be placed under special review.
The state told Channel 9 that the districts can appeal an individual school's grade if they submit backup material to argue their case. But even then, the commissioner gets the final say.
Lake County Schools Superintendent Susan Moxley, Ed.D said in a statement: "I know our students and teachers have worked extremely hard and done well. Regardless of what the school grade report says, I am proud of the great work happening in our classrooms every day. Test results and school grades do not tell the whole story."
Orange County superintendent Barbara Jenkins said in a statement: "It is important for our community, especially our parents and students, to know that learning gains are now more difficult to attain. If we see a decrease in school grades, it will likely be because of the new and complicated learning gains structure."
Seminole County superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin said, "We believe the new calculation of learning gains implemented in this year's formula will result in school grade drops for many schools compared to the inflated grades that were released last year. The learning gains calculation is complicated and confusing. It needs to be overhauled and completely revised."
Marion County Superintendent George Tomyn said, "I firmly stand behind the hard work of our students, teachers, and administrators. Great things happen in our classrooms every day of the school year, and the school grading system does not adequately reflect that."
Brevard County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Desmond Blackburn said in a statement: "I have consistently stated that there are two worthwhile tests to place before our students: those that inform us of student difficulties to help us adapt our practices to the student's needs and those that demonstrate successful completion of a program of study that ultimately results in a credential. However, placing a test in front of any student with the primary purpose of evaluating a teacher has limited, if any, benefit to the child. The FSA, the foundation of school grade calculations, is this type of test."
Volusia County Superintendent Tom Russell said "The formula used to determine learning gains has changed dramatically this year, making learning gains more difficult to attain. This may negatively impact our district with drops in school grades. I am particularly concerned with the calculation of learning gains for level 1 and level 2 students and am beyond frustrated for our students, teachers and school communities."
The Central Florida Public School Boards Coalition said, "Superintendents stand firmly behind the hard work of their students, teachers and administrators. Potentially lower grades will misrepresent what happens in our classrooms and in our school districts every day during the school year."
The Coalition will “continue to advocate for a more accurate and improved accountability system where schools are not simply labeled with a single letter grade.”
Cox Media Group
