The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) on Monday released school grades for the 2022-23 school year.
As a part of Florida’s first-in-the-nation transition to using progress monitoring instead of traditional high stakes testing, grades for the 2022-2023 school year serve as a baseline and carry no negative consequences, according to a news release.
Using these results as a baseline, schools and districts can work toward improved performance in future years, school officials said.
For the full report, click here.
FDOE developed a new test, Florida’s Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST). Unlike end-of-year high stakes testing, FAST is a progress monitoring system that provides teachers, students and parents real-time, immediate and actionable data at the beginning, middle and end of the school year to drive student improvement.
Spectrum Bay News 9 has reached out to school districts in the area for statements and reaction to the results. We’ll be posting them below.
CITRUS COUNTY (GRADE: B)
“The positive outcomes we’re witnessing are a direct reflection of the persistence and dedication of our students, teachers, and instructional staff. We’re incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our schools!”
HERNANDO COUNTY (GRADE: B)
According to today’s report, the Hernando School District (HCSD) earned 58% of the total points possible, maintaining a district grade of B. This marks the 6th year since 2015 the school district received a B grade by FLDOE. Hernando Schools did not receive grades for 2020 and 2021 because of the impact of Covid on schools. In contrast to the state’s former assessment, the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) scores, the FAST scores did not include the calculation that awarded additional points for student learning gains.
“We were concerned at first” said Sonsee Sanders, Director of Research & Accountability for HCSD. “But it is remarkable that despite not having the learning gains calculation as part of the grade calculations that the district increased our total points earned from 56% to 58%.”
Five of Hernando’s schools improved a full letter grade. Brooksville, Deltona, Moton and Westside Elementary moved from a C to a B. But it is Eastside Elementary, the district’s only “turnaround school,” that can mark this year as a notable achievement, moving their school from a D to a C.
“We are so thrilled for these schools!” said Gina Michalicka, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. “The ultimate goal for all of our schools is increased student achievement. Our teachers and administrators pour over student assessment data and spend long days refining their instructional practice together. To be recognized in this way is so validating to their hard work.”
Read the school district’s full response by clicking here.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (GRADE: B)
“Over the summer we anticipated what school grades might look like with the state’s new grading formula. When schools opened in August, our schools immediately began taking necessary steps to help build capacity and provide guidance on systems and structures based on the needs of each school. We are seeing some positive results. Many of our students are improving their proficiency in ELA and Math. While that may not be reflected in this year’s school grades, we anticipate positive results next year when student learning gains are again included in the school grades.”
– Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres
MANATEE COUNTY (GRADE: B)
NOTE: We have not heard from the school district about its results.
PASCO COUNTY (GRADE: B)
Pasco County Schools maintained a B grade for 2023 according to the district grades and school grades released Monday by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). These are informational baseline grades. Pasco has maintained a B grade since 2017.
“I’m pleased to see what our schools have accomplished, and 2 (50%) of our schools are no longer at an F status,” said Kurt Browning, Pasco Superintendent of Schools. “Now that we have the baseline grades, our teachers and administrators are focused on these data and planning for greater accomplishments based on this mid-year reflection. These data will help us to make informed decisions about improvements for the remainder of the year.”
Seventy-seven percent of Pasco schools earned an A, B, or C grade, and half of Pasco’s schools earned A’s and B’s. 26 of our 94 schools received A’s. Three of our schools moved up from B’s to an A. Other highlights this year include 12 schools increased their overall grade.
Six of our schools received an I [incomplete] Pasco County Schools will be looking at appeals for these schools and will know more info about why they received an “I” once we receive the data file. Often, an “I” is given to schools that do not meet the participation rate.
PINELLAS COUNTY (GRADE: B)
“I am proud of the results of our schools and district during this initial, baseline year for school grades. Student success guides the daily and long-term work of the district. Schools are the heart of that transformation and their results during the 2022-23 school year are tremendous.” said Superintendent Kevin Hendrick.
The district focus on the middle school experience is evident with 10 middle schools improving their school grade. Tyrone Middle School earned a C, rising from the district’s only F the previous year. The commitment and effort of the school teams to improvement is clear across the district. The Transformation Zone continues to focus on student proficiency, long-term progress and supporting any schools demonstrating the need for more focused intervention. To read the school district’s full statement, click here.
POLK COUNTY (GRADE: C)
NOTE: We have not heard from the school district about its results.
