Florida Department of Education releases annual school grades
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Florida Department of Education has released school grades for the 2017-18 school year. This year’s scores demonstrate continued school improvement.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s schools are continuing to achieve increased success thanks to the hard work of our students and teachers. Our years of historic investment in Florida’s K-12 education system are paying off. The ability to get a great public education empowers our students to live their dreams in Florida. This is why since 2011 funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $4.5 billion. I’d like to congratulate Florida’s students and teachers on another year of success.”
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart said, “The school grades announced today are the result of hard work by our students, parents, teachers and leaders. I am extremely proud that Florida’s accountability system continues to ensure all students have access to the high-quality education they deserve and that it prepares them for college, a career and life.”
The Florida Department of Education calculates school grades annually based on up to 11 components, including student achievement and learning gains on statewide, standardized assessments and high school graduation rate. School grades provide parents and the public an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school and understand how well each school is serving its students.
Statewide Highlights
- Florida now has more than 1,000 “A” schools (1,027 schools) up from 987 in 2017 and 763 in 2016. The percentage of schools earning an “A” increased to 32 percent, up from 30 percent in 2016-17.
- The percentage of schools earning an “A” or “B” grade increased to 58 percent compared to 56 percent last year.
- A total of 1,408 schools maintained an “A” grade (793 schools) or increased their grade (615 schools) in 2017-18.
- High schools had the largest increase in the percentage of schools improving their grade, with 26 percent (115 schools) moving up one or more letter grade.
- The number of “F” schools decreased by 23 percent (10 schools), from 43 schools in 2016-17 to 33 schools in 2017-18.
Low-Performing Schools
- Ninety-six percent of schools graded “F” in 2016-17 improved their grade in 2017-18 by one or more letter grade (23 of 24 schools).
- Sixty-eight percent of schools that earned a “D” or “F” grade in 2016-17 improved by at least one letter grade in 2017-18 (159 schools).
- Sixty-two percent of schools in the second or third year of implementing their turnaround plan improved their letter grade (23 schools).
In addition to school grades, the department also calculates district grades annually based on the same criteria.
- Nine districts improved their district grade from a “B” in 2016-17 to an “A” in 2017-18;
- Five districts improved their district grade from a “C” in 2016-17 to a “B” in 2017-18;
- Two districts improved their district grade from a “D” in 2016-17 to a “C” in 2017-18;
- Fifty-three of Florida’s 67 school districts are graded “A” or “B,” up from 48 in 2016-17; and
- Twenty districts are now graded “A” in Florida and there are no districts graded “D” or “F”.
For more information about school grades, click here.
