Rick Scott Comments on $119.6 Million in Delayed 'A'-School Recognition Checks

Gov. Rick Scott's office weighed in on the state's ongoing delay in issuing $119.6 million in recognition bonus money to "A" schools.

Spokeswoman Amy Graham released this statement Wednesday:

"Governor Scott appreciates the hard work and dedication of all Floridas teachers. The Florida Department of Education works diligently each year to provide public grades for elementary and middle schools as soon as possible following the end of the school year.

"Since the implementation of the new high school grading formula last year, the department now incorporates more components to ensure that the work of the entire student body is included and representative of graduation rates and performance on advanced coursework that helped prepare students for college or a career.

"The data collection for these new, required high school grade calculations takes longer than elementary and middle school grading. In fairness to all Florida public schools and their outstanding work, school recognition dollars will be distributed to elementary, middle and high schools all at the same time once the full amount of the awards is determined," Graham's statement concluded.

The governor's office did not address a possible shortfall in the $119.6 million school recognition account -- a concern raised by Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson.

Neither the governor's office nor the DOE explained why high-school grades are coming in so much later this year than in 2010, the first year of the new grading standard.

Robinson's office said high-school grades for the 2010-2011 academic year that ended in June are not expected until mid-December. Adding a month-long appeals process, that means recognition-award checks will not be issued until at least mid-January.

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