Florida High School Grades Announced

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

DOE Press Office (850) 245-0413

Florida High School Grades Announced

Tallahassee - Florida's high schools increased in the number and percent of schools achieving high marks for the 2010-11 school year, according to results released today from the Florida Department of Education. Results show that 78 percent of the state's high schools earned either an "A" or "B" grade, an increase from 71 percent last year. These grades are based on the high school grading formula that was used for the first time in the 2009-10 school year.

"It's great to see more of Florida's high schools trending upward," said Governor Scott. "Education is critical to improving lives, preparing students for a job and attracting employers."

Statewide, the greatest average increase in high school grade component points earned in 2010-11 was for student performance on accelerated coursework measured by AP, IB, AICE and industry certification examinations, as well as dual enrollment courses.

"I want to commend Florida's students, teachers and school leaders for their hard work in helping students achieve academically," said Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson.

"Florida's strategy of raising expectations and expanding opportunities for academic growth continues to yield successful outcomes for our high school students. The $1 billion in education funding proposed by Governor Scott would give school districts additional resources to help students perform at even higher levels."

Of Florida's 474 graded public high schools (including combination schools serving high school grade levels) earning "A" through "F" grades for the 2010-11 school year:

• 147 earned an "A" (31 percent), compared to 145 schools (31 percent) last year.
• 224 earned a "B" (47 percent), compared to 188 schools (40 percent) last year.
• 72 earned a "C" (15 percent), compared to 69 schools (15 percent) last year.
• 25 earned a "D" (5 percent), compared to 57 schools (12 percent) last year.
• 6 earned an "F" (1 percent), compared to 11 schools (2 percent) last year.

The expanded high school grading system, first used for the 2009-10 school year, focuses on a broader set of student outcomes, including graduation rates and student participation and performance in advanced coursework. The high school grade is earned based on two major elements: 50 percent from the performance of each school's students on the FCAT, and 50 percent from factors that include the following:

• The school's graduation rate.
• The performance and participation of students in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and industry certification.
• The postsecondary readiness of high-achieving students as measured by the SAT, ACT, or College Placement Test (CPT).
• The high school graduation rate of at-risk students.

School districts have an opportunity to appeal the grade through February 3, 2012. Based on the results from that process, school recognition funds will be determined and will reward schools that have sustained high student performance or demonstrated substantial improvement in student performance.

For detailed information on the 2010-11 high school grades, visit http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/. An informative press packet, complete with graphic displays of the results is available at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/pdf/1011/HighSchoolGradesPressPacket.pdf (PDF).