'A'-School Awards Delay: Florida Education Chief Cites Concern About Possible Shortage of Funding

Florida Education CommissionerGerard Robinson responded Monday to Sunshine State News' story about the delay in awarding more than $100 million in recognition to "A" schools.

His statement:

The School Recognition Program rewards high-performing schools for their efforts in raising or maintaining high student achievement.While it is true that the Florida Department of Education has delayed providing recognition funds to schools that received an A or improved a letter grade last year, I want to emphasize that the primary reason is a matter of fairness.

Since the implementation of the new high school grading formula last year, the department has worked diligently to provide public grades for elementary and middle schools as soon as possible following the end of the school year.

"The high school grading formula now incorporates more components to ensure that the work of the entire student body is included and representative of graduation rates as well as participation and performance on advanced coursework that helps prepare students for college or a career. The data collection for these new components for the high school grade calculation does not fall within the timeline that we have grown accustomed to.

With high schools receiving their grades in late December and not within a time frame that allows schools and districts to utilize the appropriate appeals process, we simply cannot provide funding to one group of schools and not the others.

"In addition, the Legislature appropriated $119,596,643 through the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund for the school recognition program. Following the appeals process for high schools, the department will know if the appropriated funds are sufficient to fully fund the awards at $70 per FTE student.

All of our teachers are to be commended for their tremendous efforts in helping their students perform successfully. Without them, our students would not be accomplishing the level of proficiency they have shown.

"In fairness to all our schools and their outstanding work, school recognition dollars will be distributed when we are able to determine the full amount of the awards.

See Sunshine State News' story here.