Browning Supports 'Safety Net' For School Grades

The state Board of Education narrowly voted to prevent annual school grades from dropping more than one letter. Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning believes the controversial decision was the right one.

“This is a good start, and assuring that we have stability as we transition to Common Core State Standards is essential to the credibility of Florida’s School Accountability System,” Browning said in a statement posted on the district website. 

This is the second year in a row grades have been prevented from slipping more than one mark. The decision means 108, rather than 262 schools, in the state will receive an F, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The state board adopted the “safety net” at the suggestion of Education Commissioner Tony Bennett. 

Why? Student scores slipped this past year on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT, which was changed to help students meet the demands of Common Core, a new set of standards that will go into effect in 2014-15, according to TBO.com. 

Opponents of Florida’s “safety net,” however, say it amounts to shameless padding of grades. 

What do you think? Do you agree with Browning? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments section below.