Miami-Dade’s Public Schools Post Stronger Than Expected School Performance Grades

MIAMI-DADE’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS POST STRONGER THAN EXPECTED SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES

Miami-Dade County’s public schools turned in significantly stronger than expected school performance grades today, faring better than state averages in a number of areas, according to information released by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) this morning.

Last year the FLDOE transitioned from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to FCAT 2.0 using a new assessment. The FCAT 2.0 measures new standards that have been used for the past two years. In addition, the State developed a new formula for grading schools. Based on all these changes, school performance grades were expected to drop this year, and did, according to information released by the state today. In spite of the drastic changes to the grading formula, Miami-Dade’s schools fared better than expected in the following areas:

The percentage of A schools in Miami-Dade decreased by only 11 percent, while A schools across Florida fell by 15 percent. Regionally, Miami-Dade compares favorably to neighboring school districts that saw a 20 percent decrease in A-rated schools.
The percentage of D schools in Miami-Dade increased by only 3 percent; D schools across Florida increased by 4 percent.
The percentage of F schools in Miami-Dade did not increase, while F schools across Florida increased by 1 percent.

“This year’s FCAT data demonstrates that in the face of dramatically increased standards and demands, our students and educators delivered results beyond anyone’s expectations. I commend our community’s efforts in improving quality education in Miami-Dade,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “This fact is also supported by student performance on national assessments such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress – Trial Urban District Assessment (NAEP-TUDA). M-DCPS has been recognized for the fifth time as a Broad Prize finalist for progress in closing the achievement gap among students.”

It must be noted that the State recalibrated the school grading formula in a way that corrects elementary and senior high schools. The formula, however, overcorrects middle schools in a very punitive manner, which is evident in the significant increase in middle schools across the state earning an F this year.

Miami-Dade was able to lift all schools that earned an F last year, except for one, demonstrating that in the harshest school grade calculations, it is still possible to advance student achievement and school accountability. Even with an increased number of F schools this year under the State’s tougher standards, the number of F schools is still lower than in 2008.
High school grades will be released later this year, to allow for the inclusion of graduation data.