STARLA VAUGHNS CHERIN, Florida Courier
- Florida has more “A” rated schools than ever, but inner-city, predominantly Black schools are still struggling with “D” and “F” ratings. Of the 2,889 schools graded this year, 2,125 are considered to be high performing (receiving either an “A” or “B” grade), according to school test results for 2008.
Additionally, the number of schools considered to be low performing decreased significantly compared to last year. There are 154 schools that earned a “D,” a decrease of 62 schools compared to last year. This year, instead of 89 schools receiving “F” grades, there were only 45, a decrease of 38 schools compared to last year.
But the picture is misleading, especially when it comes to actual students’ progress. This year only 24 percent of Florida schools made the federally mandated Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). Last year, 34 percent made the mark. Based on the No Child Left Behind initiative, it doesn’t matter if the school is rated “A” or “F”—it’s the smaller sub-groups within a school that determine whether its AYP is met.
