New school accountability system now in place in Florida

JUNE 11, 2009

School grades still matter. But for many schools, what now matters more is how they rate under a "differentiated accountability" system that Gov. Charlie Crist quietly made official when he signed HB 991 into law yesterday.

The new system, which the Department of Education unveiled last summer, combines the state grading system with the federal rating system under No Child Left Behind. The result is a very technical hybrid that state officials hope will be more effective in improving struggling schools.

Last summer, many schools were put into one of five new categories under the new system, which brings escalating levels of oversight and intervention. When school grades and adequate yearly progress results are announced in a few weeks, look for the new categories to share the spotlight.

Ron Matus, state education reporter

Posted by Times education at 10:30:00 am on June 11, 2009 in

Florida Education Policy

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

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