State Makes Error in Fla. School Grades

The state said the mistakes were a technical error that involved scores for children performing at lower levels because of disabilities or language issues

Jose de Diego Middle School in Wynwood received a grade-D rating when the Florida Department of Education first issued school grades two weeks ago.

But as the principal has learned, that was a mistake.

“As a former employee of the Department of Education, it's a bit embarrassing but the correct and accurate grade came out. We are a C school on our way to be a B or an A next year,” said principal Yaset Fernandez of Jose De Diego Middle School.

In Miami-Dade County, 31 schools had grade changes, more than any other district in the state. Officials say 13 schools went from grades B to A, nine from C to B, seven from D to C and two failing schools went up to a D grade.

“I am not glad the state made an error but I am glad somebody caught it,” said Nautilus Middle School Principal Allyn Bernstein.

The state said the mistakes were a technical error that involved scores for children performing at lower levels because of disabilities or language issues.

According to Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, “Simply put, if these children somehow demonstrated learning gains growth that exceeded one full year of instruction they should get an extra credit, extra points.”

That was a rule change that the state forgot to include in its calculations. As a result, Broward Public schools has 17 grade changes. According to the results, 11 schools went from B to A grades, two went from C to B, three from D to C and one failing school moved up to a D grade.

Getting an A grade means more funds for the school.

The following schools received grade changes in Broward County:

• 11 school grades changed from a B to an A (Challenger Elementary, Forest Glen Middle, Paragon Charter Elementary, Perry Middle, Renaissance Charter of Coral Springs, Riverside Elementary, Silver Lakes Elementary, Somerset Academy East, Somerset Neighborhood School, Sunrise Middle and Village Elementary).
• 2 school grades changed from a C to a B (Bethune Elementary and Northside Elementary).
• 3 school grades changed from a D to a C (Eagle Nest Charter Middle, Charter School of Excellence at Riverland, Somerset Village Academy Charter Middle School).
• 1 school grade changed from an F to a D (Imagine Charter of North Lauderdale).

The following schools recevied grade changes in Miami-Dade County:

• 13 schools improved from B to A: Ruben Dario Middle, Sylvania Heights Elementary, Seminole Elementary, Peskoe K-8, Olinda Elementary, Miami Springs Elementary, Melrose Elementary, West Hialeah Gardens Elementary, Howard Drive Elementary, Chapman Elementary, Downtown Miami Charter, Keysgate Charter High and International Studies Charter Middle
• 9 schools improved from C to B: Richmond Heights Middle, Country Club Middle, Nautilus Middle, Lake Stevens Middle, W. Homestead Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Benjamin Franklin K-8, Campbell Drive K-8, and Aspira Charter
• 7 schools that improved from D to C: North Dade Middle, Horace Mann Middle, Jose de Diego Middle, Cutler Ridge Middle, Hibiscus Elementary, Florida City Elementary, Citrus Grove Elementary
• 2 schools that improved from F to D: Allapattah Middle and Florida International Academy.

For a complete listing of all results, click here.

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