The number of Florida schools receiving an “F” letter grade for the 2015-2016 school year was cut in half from last year, but the number of "A" schools was also down significantly, according to a new report released by the the Florida Department of Education Friday.
The department said the number of schools earning the lowest possible letter grade -- an “F” -- dropped by approximately 50 percent from 204 in 2014-2015 to 103 in 2015-2016.
The report also found 58 percent of schools that earned a “D” or “F” in 2014-2015 improved by at least one letter grade in 2015-2016.
In total, over 1,130 schools held onto their “A” grade or increased their grade in 2015-2016, but fewer schools actually received an “A” letter grade than last year, with only 741 schools receiving that letter grade.
Each year, the department gives each school a different letter grade based on a variety of factors. Earlier this year, the department revised its grading scale, which now includes up to 11 different components.
There are four achievement components, four learning gains components, a middle school acceleration component, as well as components for graduation rate and high school acceleration.
Achievement components are made up of how students perform on standardized tests, including the state’s comprehensive assessment test, End-Of-Course tests and Florida Alternate Assessments.
Each component is worth up to 100 points in the overall calculation of a school’s grade. Educators statewide said they feared a drop in letter grades due to a more rigorous grading formula.
Miami-Dade School District, which serves nearly 400,000 students each year, saw over half of its schools -- 53 percent -- receive an “A” or a “B” letter grade this year. Smaller districts like Monroe County had no schools receive a “D” or an “F” letter grade this year.
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart remained steadfast in her support of the more rigorous grading formula, saying students and teachers would push themselves to achieve more when expectations were elevated.
"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," said Stewart. "It is clear that our focus on Florida’s most struggling students is paying off, especially in our ‘D’ and ‘F’ schools, 58 percent of which increased their grade in 2016. The great benefit of our state’s accountability system is that it constantly shines a light on areas that need improvement. I applaud the schools which improved, and I encourage all schools to pursue excellence persistently."
School Board members from around the state expressed support for this year's grading process.
“This year shows a truer picture of learning now that progress is included,” said Florida Coalition of School Board Members (FCSBM) President Erika Donalds. “We must not be complicit in dishonest measurement of academic progress. Nothing gets better if you don't look at it honestly, which is why we are proud to support the reasonable accountability taking place and applaud the DOE and State Board for their courage in setting appropriate learning gains.”
To see the full grade breakdown, click here.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
