Elementary schools get A’s

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

The Osceola County School District’s grade rose from a C to a B thanks to revisions by the Florida Department of Education.

Due to an increase in grades for Partin Settlement, Westside and Pleasant Hill elementary schools, all of which rose from a B to an A, the district’s overall grade improved. The changes were announced July 20 by the Education Department.

“These new grades for several Osceola schools and our overall district reflect the hard work and progress that our students and teachers are making in the classrooms,” Superintendent Melba Luciano said. “Our schools will remain focused on ensuring that each and every child is successful.”

The three Osceola County elementary schools joined 210 other schools statewide whose grades were revised, according to the Education Department.

“School grades are important to students, parents, teachers, principals, administrators and the community,” Commissioner of Education Gerard Robinson said in a press release. “And, while I am pleased that the continuous review process has resulted in better grades, we will continue to look for ways to improve the grade calculation process.”

The A to F school grades report for Florida’s elementary, middle and combination schools (not including those with high school grades) were calculated by the department, validated independently by Florida State University and released July 11.

It was during the routine continuous review process of the grades that the department identified preliminary revisions for both schools and their districts, resulting in increases.

“These changes were identified during the review process that occurs between the time initial school grades are released and final school grades are published after an appeals process has been completed,” an Education Department press release stated. “This phase of the school grading process, which involves district validation, is important because it provides transparency and helps ensure the final grades are correct.”

Osceola County was one of nine counties whose district grades were increased.

“The fact that 8 percent of school grades will increase not only affirms the hard work of Florida’s students, teachers and district leadership, it demonstrates the value of the continuous review process,” Commissioner Robinson said. “The strength of our accountability system depends on the partnership between school districts and the department, and these revisions are a direct result of that process.”

Final school grades will be released in September.