Studer Community Institute

Graduation rates on the rise

December 18, 2014
/ Reggie Dogan
/ education

Santa Rosa County’s graduation rate rose to 82.8 percent, a 3.9 percent point improvement over last year and 5 percentage points since 2011. Tim Wyrosdick, Santa Rosa schools superintendent, was pleased with the work the teachers and students put in to help boost graduation rates. “The grades reflect their effort,” Wyrosdick said. “I’m excited and pleased with their success.” Escambia County’s graduation rate climbed two percentage points from last year, with 66.1 percent of students receiving a high school diploma in 2014. The Florida Department of Education on Thursday released statewide graduation, showing Escambia County’s graduation rate is 11 percentage points higher than it was in 2005, when 55 percent of students graduated from high school. Malcolm Thomas, Escambia's superintendent of schools, was unavailable for comment. Statewide, the graduation rate statewide increased to 76.1 percent, an 11-year high, the education department reported. The graduation rate increased by half a percentage point. School grades for high schools also were included in the education department reports. A-to-F grades for elementary and middle schools were released during the summer. They were based entirely on test scores. Three of nine Northwest Florida schools that increased their school grades this year were in Santa Rosa County. Gulf Breeze and Pace high schools increased their grades from a B to an A in 2014. Central School — a K -12 school — increased its grade from a C to a B. “This is truly a testament to Florida’s hard-working teachers, principals and administrators who helped our students achieve success,” said Pam Stewart, state Education Commissioner. “My congratulations to the three Panhandle districts for increasing their graduation rates and to the nine schools that increased their grades.” The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within fours years of their first enrollment in ninth grade. The rate is calculated for an adjusted cohort of students — a group of students on the same schedule to graduate — taking into account those who enter or exit the group. The number of state high schools earning an A or B dropped in 2014 to 71 percent, down 12 points from last year. State rules mandate that if more than 75 percent of schools earn an A or B, then the grading standards become more difficult. Less schools earned A or B grades, but that’s likely because the grading scale became even more difficult. The 2014 grades are the final ones that are based on the current grading formula and mostly on FCAT scores. The state next year will roll out a new standardized test, the Florida Standards Assessment, that will replace most of FCAT, and a new grading formula. Educators believe the new test will be harder than FCAT, so scores and school grades are expected to drop even more. Superintendent Wyrosdick said hopes lawmakers step up to streamline the accountability process and make it easier for everyone to understand. "It's frustrating," he said. "Here we are in December and now just getting information for August 2013. This is not a good system, and I hope the governor will look at it." There’s room for improvement, Stewart said, but she’s proud of the increasing graduation rates. “As we have increased requirements of graduation, we have more students meeting that higher expectation,” Stewart said. “I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and confident that our state’s educators will continue providing that high-quality education in order to maintain this momentum we’ve had.” Highlights of education report by the two-county area: Escambia County high school grades in 2014: West Florida: A (2013 : A) Washington: B (2013: B) Tate: B (2013: B) Pensacola: C (2013: B) Escambia: C (2013: C) Pine Forest: C (2013: C) Northview: C (2013: B) Santa Rosa high school grades in 2014: Milton: A (2013: A) Gulf Breeze: A (2013: B) Pace: A (2013: B) Navarre: B (2013: A) Jay: B (2013: A) Central: B (2013: C) Preliminary 2014 Grades for High Schools and Combination High Schools statewide: Number Percent A 188 36% B 180 35% C 126 24% D 17 3% F 9 2% Total: 520

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Graduation rates on the rise

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