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MIAMI-DADE OUTPERFORMS STATE WITH PERCENTAGE OF “A” HIGH SCHOOLS Miami-Dade County Public Schools outperformed neighboring counties as well as the state in the percentage of high schools with performance grades of A, according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. For the first time in many years, no traditional public high school in Miami-Dade was rated F. Four years ago, seven district high schools were rated F. “This is the most dramatic academic performance improvement in the history of our school district,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “From three years ago, we doubled the number of A’s from 15 to 31, increased the number of B’s by 33 percent, decreased the number of D’s by 43 percent and eliminated F high schools, many of which reside in some of our most challenging and impoverished communities. Our principals and teachers deserve this community’s gratitude, respect and congratulations.” Under the state’s expanded high school grading system, which takes into consideration student outcomes including graduation rates as well as student participation and performance in advanced coursework, 49 percent of Miami-Dade’s full-component high schools received performance grades of A this year compared to 31 percent statewide. An additional eight schools in Miami-Dade receive grades based only on FCAT scores; when those schools are factored in, the percentage of A-rated high schools rises to 53 percent. “The data demonstrates that our schools are succeeding at preparing students for college and for the work force,” said Carvalho. “These outcomes are a precursor to the future economic viability and development of our community.” # # # 12-JJS/246 |
