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.