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State Law – Florida’s A+
Plan, School Grades: School Grades
are based on how well students have mastered
the Sunshine State Standards – the skills
Florida teachers determined our children
must learn at each grade level – which are
measured by the Florida Comprehensive
Assessment Test (FCAT). Student scores are
classified into five achievement levels,
with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the
highest. Schools earn points based on three
things: how well students are doing, how
much progress they are making (learning
gains), and how much progress struggling
students are making in reading and
mathematics.
Federal Law – No Child Left
Behind Act: requires each subgroup
(all ethnic groups, students with
disabilities, students learning English, and
economically disadvantaged students) in
schools, districts, and the state as a whole
to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) in
reading, mathematics, writing, and
graduation rate. Schools that do not make
enough progress for two years in a row are
in need of improvement, and must provide
alternatives to parents – such as
transferring to another school or
participating in a different program within
the school. Schools that need improvement
two years in a row (do not make AYP for 3
consecutive years) must provide tutoring.
Staying informed as a parent:
For additional information on school grades,
adequate yearly progress, and school choice
options, please visit the Department of
Education’s website at www.fldoe.org
or call 1-800-447-1636.
Information on all schools – including
which groups of students need to make more
progress under federal guidelines – is
also available at www.schoolresults.org.
Some questions and resources for
parents:
Is your child being challenged at his or her
school?
Has your child’s school given and
explained your child’s grades and test
results?
Have you asked your child’s teacher if
your child is on grade level in math and
reading?
Have you asked for a specific list of skills
your child needs to learn?
Information on the Sunshine State
Standards is available at www.fldoe.org.
Have you talked with your child’s
teacher about his or her progress?
Have you asked specific questions about your
child’s reading ability and needs?
How can you help your child become a better
reader?
Helpful information is available
at www.justreadflorida.com
or www.justreadfamilies.org.
Is your child on track for graduation?
Is your child on track for being prepared
for college?
If not, what needs to be done?
Speak to his/her guidance counselor and
register on-line to track his/her progress
at www.facts.org.
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