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PRESS RELEASE

July 29, 2004

MacKay Jimeson
(850) 245-0413

Education Commissioner Horne Announces Results of 2004 School Grade Appeals
More transparent process leads to efficient school grading and reduced appeals

TALLAHASSEE — Education Commissioner Jim Horne today touted the Department of Education's (DOE) more transparent process in school grading under Governor Bush's A+ Plan and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) designations under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), resulting in fewer appeals and grade changes. While appeals and grade changes were down, Florida increased the number of 'A' schools and saw a rise in schools making AYP.

"We continue building on the integrity of our school grading system," Commissioner Horne said. "By developing a more effective process in determining the progress of our schools, we are reducing inaccuracies and broadening accountability in public education. Today's final results continue to show Florida is on the right track."

DOE has worked more closely with school districts, reducing errors in data reporting and developing a more efficient grading process. This year a total of 63 appeals were filed with DOE, 38 school grade appeals and 25 adequate yearly progress designations, compared to 452 appeals filed, 112 school grade appeals and 340 adequate yearly progress designation appeals the previous year.

This year, only five appeals resulted in a school grade change. Three schools went from a 'B' to an 'A' and two schools went from an 'F' to a 'P' (points only). These changes bring the statewide total of 'A' schools to 1,262, the largest amount in the state's history. Of the 25 schools submitting an appeal for AYP, five resulted in a change in a schools designation from No to Yes. Nearly 64 percent of schools met at least 9 out of 10 AYP criteria, with 23 percent meeting all criteria.

2003-2004 School Grade Distribution AFTER Appeals

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