Volusia County school leaders to discuss whether to opt out of school grades

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday, Volusia County school leaders will discuss whether the district will opt out of school grades.

The state grades measure student performance and can impact teacher evaluations, or even perception about the school.

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School districts were given the option to opt out as part of a state emergency order filed last week.

It can be done on an individual school basis, and the district can decide 30 days after the grades come out.

The state said that should be around July or August.

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School board member Ruben Colon said the data can be used to assess student progress and find learning gaps, but he does not feel it should be used for anything more than that.

“I believe the scores should not be held against the students given all the variations with the pandemic,” Colon said.

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Some parents feel with all the upheaval and uncertainty this school year brought it’s not likely the grades would offer a fair assessment of how students are doing.

“They should opt out this year and then next year start fresh at least we have a better understanding,” parent Lisel Vaga said.