Most Florida schools earn top grades
Published: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:12 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 11:12 a.m.
For the second straight year, more Florida high schools earned higher grades, according to results released by the state today.
Statewide, 78 percent of high schools earned an A or B grade for the 2010-11 school year, up from 71 percent the previous year. The number of failing schools dropped from 14 percent to just 6 percent.
"It's great to see more of Florida's high schools trending upward," said Gov. Rick Scott in a news statement. "Education is critical to improving lives, preparing students for a job and attracting employers."
But locally many high schools continue to struggle with nine schools earning lower grades and only four schools ranking higher than last year.
In Sarasota County, both Venice and Booker high school dropped to B grades. Suncoast Polytechnical, which has yet to graduate a senior class, rose to an A.
In Manatee County, Bayshore High School fell one letter grade to a C and Palmetto High School dropped to a D. There was better news for Manatee High School, which earned a A grade for the second time in three years. Southeast High rose two letter grades to a B.
But results were disappointing in Charlotte County where all three district high schools dropped by one letter grade. Charlotte and Lemon Bay high schools both fell to a B while Port Charlotte High School dropped to a C.
Half of a school's grade is based on student scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The remainder depends on the school's graduation rate, improvement by lower-performing students, and how many students take and pass tougher courses such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual enrollment classes.
The change in the formula that was introduced last year led schools to push thousands of students into tougher courses.
This year state officials have tweaked the formula so there is less weighting for participation and more for actual achievement.
In addition to a school's reputation, a good grade means extra money for schools. Those that earn an A or improve by at least one letter grade earn recognition funds of about $70 per student.
Source: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120104/article/120109851
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