GOV JEB BUSH AND ED COMMISS ANNOUNCE 2003 SCHOOL GRADES -- 600% increase in ‘A’ Schools

FL Dept of Education ^ | June 18, 2003 | State of FL

[summer]

WOW! This is FANTASTIC news coming out of FL today!!! And, kindly note: the biggest news is right here --

"Those schools that improved their performance by one or more letter grades or maintained a grade of ‘A’ will receive School Recognition Funds. Of the schools graded this year, 60 percent will receive School Recognition Funds.

More than 40 percent of the schools that will receive School Recognition Funds this year have student poverty levels of 51 percent or higher."

As most of you know, I am a FL public school teacher, and, in the FL public school where I teach, we earned an "A" grade from the state -- and, more than half of our student population is minority and in poverty. (BTW, less than a handful of our students failed the FCAT.)

In short, the big story in FL continues to be this piece of great news: The academic gains are happening in many types of schools, including those schools where the students are black or Hispanic or other minority, and poor -- and such students were never expected to achieve as much in the past.

Gov Bush's tough stance and refusal to back down has made a very positive difference in this state -- which is exactly what I have been telling you folks on FR for several years now! :)

PS To find your FL public school's grade (and, BTW, "learning gains" were again measured this year, as part of the school's grade), scroll down to the middle of this page HERE.

[summer]

I know -- I could have skipped a few commas up there; however, I was so excited to see our school did so well!!!! :)

[Husker24]

You wont be hearing this in the news any time soon.

[Joe Boucher]

Jeb Bush is my governor. I voted for him twice and think he is doing a fabulous job.
Would support him again if he ran for anything.
Keeps govt spending in control and makes the education system be accountable.
You go there Jeb.

[summer]

This should be front page news everywhere, throughout FL. BTW, I am currently attending a summer institute for teachers, and everyone (and I mean: EVERYONE) was hunched over a computer today, looking up their school's grades. Every so often you'd hear a loud and happy shout! :)

[MattAMiller]

More than 40 percent of the schools that will receive School Recognition Funds this year have student poverty levels of 51 percent or higher."

That's incredible. Well done Florida.

[summer]

THANK YOU FOR TAKING NOTE OF THE BIG NEWS HERE, Matt! :)

[windchime]

Congratulations, Summer! Your post indicates the level of enthusiasm and dedication it took for your school and Governor Bush's program to succeed.

[summer]

Thanks, windchime! :)

[MattAMiller]

Here in California we did away with an ESL system that did nothing to teach kids English and switched to a more English immersion oriented approach. Latino kids have made HUGE gains. But you never hear about it.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

Re your post #10 - FL ESOL students are required to take the same tests as their English-speaking peers, and those ESOL student scores count just like everyone else's scores in the school grade. We have a number of Hispanic students in our school, and some of them speak no English, yet they too are making gains in English. It's really an exciting time to teach in Florida! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Lightnin]

Well done Jeb and the FL schools. Too bad the good news won't be carried by the St. Pete Times and its liberal cohorts throughout the state.

[summer]

FYI! :)

[summer]

Yes; I know what you mean. I am waiting to see how the FL newspapers will spin these FACTS. :)

[liberalnot]

bttt.

[summer]

FYI! :)

[summer]

If you'd like to teach in Florida, check out this FL Dept of Ed recruiting web site to find a teaching position and more info:

www.teachinflorida.com

[Lizavetta]

If there had been a 600% increase in the number of 'A' schools here in California, it would only have meant that the standards for being an 'A' school had taken a nosedive.

I hope Florida's improvements are actually honest ones.