The Florida Department of Education on Friday released school grades for more than 3,000 schools across the state with the bad news that the overall number of schools with “A” grades declined, according to the report.
The Florida Standards Assessment introduced a more difficult grading system a few years ago and schools haven’t responded quickly.
Schools in the Bay Area did well, despite the number of “A” schools being down across the state.
Pinellas County Schools, for example, made major improvements.
The number of “F” schools dropped from seven to two. Among elementary schools in the county, 91 percent earned an “A,” “B” or “C” grade. According to the report, 86 percent of Pinellas County middle schools earned an “A,” “B” or “C” grade. All high schools received an “A,” “B” or “C” grade.
“Even as standards become more rigorous and assessments become more difficult, there is much to celebrate in Pinellas with the state’s 2016 school grades,” Superintendent Michael A. Grego said. “It is evident that we are turning a corner with our turnaround work, and our expectation of having all high performing schools is driving improvement district wide.”
Polk County Public Schools maintained an overall “C” grade with 19 “A” schools, 19 “B” schools, 50 “C” and 28 “D” schools. The number of “F” schools decreased from seven to six in the previous year.
To find your child’s school and read the report, click here.
