Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 6-30-17

Local
School Grades Improve Overall, Some Still Below Standards
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Education re- leased the school grades for the 2016-2017 year. The report shows that some schools have shown overall improvement.
In addressing the issue, Gov- ernor Rick Scott said he ap- plauded students and educators for contributing to significant improvement over last year.
According to statewide statis- tics, 1,834 schools improved their grades to an “A” or a “B,” an increase of 57%. Elementary schools showed the largest point increase in “A” schools with a 30% increase.
In Hillsborough County, 51 traditional schools earned an “A,” 38 earned a “B,” and 15 im- proved their grades from a “D” to a “C.”
Four schools in Hillsborough County received “F” grades. Those schools are: Potter Ele- mentary, Washington Elemen- tary, the Patricia Sullivan Metropolitan Ministries Partner- ship, and King’s Kids.
There are also 39 elementary schools that remain on the state’s “300 Lowest Performing Ele- mentary Schools” list. Potter El- ementary, Washington Elementary, and King’s Kids have all received “F” grades for three consecutive years.
Ms. Tanya Arja,
spokesperson for the Hillsbor- ough County Public School Dis- trict said the list of the 300 lowest performing schools will be
re-evaluated by the state. After that takes place, the state will issue a new list prior to the be- ginning of the new school year.
“It’s based on more than just school grades, there are other things that are considered. Some schools may be removed from the list, it’s too early to tell. But after the list is re-evaluated, then we will determine the next step for those schools.”
Some schools who received “F” grades last year have im- proved their grades. Forest Hills and Edison Elementary Schools improved their grades from “F” last year to “D” this year.
Miles, Shaw, and the Village of Excellence Academy improved their grades from “F” last year to “C” this year.
Several other schools on the list maintained their “D” grades from the year. They include: Sheehy, Kimbell, Cleveland, Dover, Folsom, Mango, McDon- ald, Mort, Oak Park, Palm River, Pizzo, Robles, Sulphur Springs K-8, and James Elementary Schools.
Superintendent Jeff Eakins said, “We are committed to stu- dent success. The school grades show we are doing something significant in the way students are learning and how they are achieving. We have people in our schools who are creating the right culture in our schools, ad- vocating for students, and build- ing relationships.”
The 2016-2017 school grades, district grades, and school im- provement ratings are available at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A