Raising Standards and Higher Accountability Lead to Increased Student Performance

Raising Standards: 1999 = first year of school grades with increased performance criteria. 2002 = learning gains added to the calculation, after 2001 expansion of FCAT to grades 3-10. 2005 = expansion of the measured tested population to include all students with disabilities and LEP students in the learning gains component. 2007 = addition of science to proficiency component + inclusion of math in the learning gains for lowest 25%; plus inclusion of reading and math performance of grade 11 and 12 retakes for possible bonus points. Experience suggests that 2007's increase in the number of "F" schools will be followed by improved school performance in succeeding years.