ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - School leaders in Polk County are doing some celebrating today.
The district increased its overall grade from a 'C' to a 'B' for the 2017-18 school year, according to results released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Education.
Polk has not had a 'B' grade since 2010.
“Our ‘B’ is the result of a huge amount of hard work on the part of every single student, employee, parent, and community supporter of our school district," Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said in a statement. "I am immensely proud of this grade and the huge steps forward our district is taking.”
Gov. Rick Scott touted this year's statewide results, which include more 'A' schools (1,027, up from 987 in 2016-17) and less 'F' schools (33, down from 43 in 2016-17), as a byproduct of "years of historic investment" in increased education funding by $4.5 billion since 2011.
"Our years of historic investment in Florida’s K-12 education system are paying off," Scott said in a statement. "The ability to get a great public education empowers our students to live their dreams in Florida."
School grades are based on up to 11 components, including student achievement and learning gains on standardized assessments and high school graduation rates.
The release of school grades are always followed by statements from school districts highlighting their successes:
Hernando - Maintained 'B' grade
"For the 4th year in a row, Hernando County Schools earned a district grade of “B” moving within 4 percentage points from an A –improving by 2 percentage points from 2017. Four schools, Challenger K8, Chocachatti, Eastside and Westside, received an “A”. Along with Eastside and Westside, two other schools moved up a letter grade including Winding Waters K8 from a “C” to a “B” and Moton Elementary, while remaining on the list of lowest performing schools, received a “C” grade for the first time in three years."
Highlands - Maintained 'C' grade
Did not release a statement.
Hillsborough - Maintained 'B' grade
"In a year where Hillsborough County Public Schools set an all-time graduation rate record, academic performance continues to shine with more schools earning A and B grades than last year. Our district is also excited to announce four schools that were set to be run by an external operator this fall are now off that list, earning a C grade. Two of those schools, Potter Elementary and B.T. Washington Elementary both went from an F to a C grade."
Manatee - Maintained 'B' grade
"Some highlights from today’s grades release include the fact that 90% of all Manatee District schools received either an “A, B, or C” grade; the fact that no school received an “F” grade for the second year since 2009; the fact that 11 of the Manatee District’s schools, including eight traditional public schools and three charter schools, remained “A” grades; the fact that the number of “D” schools was nearly cut in half, from 11 in 2016 to six in 2017; and the fact that 16 of our schools improved their grade from 2017 – including two schools, which improved their grade by two letters – Myakka City Elementary School and Visible Men Academy both improved from a “C” to “A” schools."
Pasco - Maintained 'B' grade
"Pasco County Schools state assessment results equaled or exceeded the state’s on all end-of course exams; in all but two grade levels on the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) English language arts (ELA); and in two grade levels on the FSA math and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards science exams. The percentage of students scoring Level 3 to 5 (considered on grade level) exceeded or matched the state on the grades 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 ELA; grades 6 and 8 math; grades 5 and 8 science; and the algebra 1, biology, civics, geometry, and U.S. history end-of-course exams."
Pinellas - Maintained 'B' grade
"Pinellas County Schools is a B district for the fourth consecutive year, gaining 22 total points from the previous year across the school grade categories. Additionally, Pinellas increased in 8 of 11 school grade categories. Pinellas County Schools is especially proud of the overall performance of our high schools and middle schools, and is pleased that a vast majority of schools throughout the district earned an A, B or C."
Sarasota - Maintained 'A' grade
"The Sarasota County School District has earned an A grade by the state of Florida for the 15th consecutive year since grading began in 2004. Sarasota was one of 20 school districts in Florida to earn an A grade for the 2017-18 school year. The school district saw improvements in eight of 11 categories and maintained scores in the other three. There were no declines. Sarasota County Schools’ overall scores improved by four percentage points compared to last year and the school district is ranked #3 in the state behind St. John and Lafayette who are both tied for #1."
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