2017 School Grades: How Tampa Bay Area Districts Fared

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Department of Education’s release of school and district grades was a mixed bag for counties across the Tampa Bay area and nearby. Sarasota County once again earned coveted A-grade status from the state while most districts in the region earned solid B ratings.

Across Florida, the number of schools earning A or B grades rose to 57 percent, up from 46 percent in the 2015-16 academic year. FDOE also reported that the state’s elementary schools saw the largest percentage point increase in A-graded schools with some 30 percent, or 542 schools, earning top ranking in 2016-17. The number is up from 386 schools, or 21 percent from 2015-16.

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“When I was growing up, I had access to a great public education which helped me achieve my goals and build a great career,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement announcing the grades. “Every student in Florida deserves the same opportunity. Floridians should be proud of the continuous improvement of our K-12 schools. I am thankful for the dedicated teachers, students and parents who work every day to advance education in our schools.”

The state’s grades are based on 11 different factors that include student achievement, learning gains statewide, high school graduation rates and standardized tests, among others. Grades are intended to “provide parents and the general public an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school and understand how well each school is serving its students,” a state media release said.

Here’s how school districts in the Tampa Bay area scored in 2017 versus 2016:

• Hillsborough County – 2017 Grade, B; 2016 Grade, B
• Manatee County – 2017 Grade, B; 2016 Grade, C
• Pasco County – 2017 Grade, B; 2016 Grade, C
• Pinellas County – 2017 Grade, B; 2016 Grade, B
• Polk County – 2017 Grade, C; 2016 Grade, C
• Sarasota County – 2017 Grade, A; 2016 Grade, C

To find out more about how schools in individual districts fared, check out these related stories:

• Hillsborough County's 2017 School Grades Released
• Manatee County’s 2017 School Grades Released
• Sarasota County’s 2017 School Grades Released
• Pinellas County’s 2017 School Grades Released
• Pasco County’s 2017 School Grades Released
• Polk County’s 2017 School Grades Released

To find out more about school grades across the state, visit the Florida Department of Education online.

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