Daily News: No School Grades

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz have repeatedly touted that Florida has one of the best – if not the best – public education systems in the country.

However, the Florida Department of Education has yet to publish the 2023 grades for the school districts and individual schools. The original timeline had grades being announced in June or July, which is how it has been for over a decade.

The timeline has had this message for over six months: “Due to the transition from FSA to BEST, School Grades, District Grades and ESSA Federal Percent of Points Index baseline information will be released in the Fall/Winter.”

Are the grades too bad to publish?

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The Escambia Children’s Trust staff is recommending its board approve renewing 16 Out-of-School Time grants, totaling almost $4.7 million. This will be more than a third of the ECT’s entire tax revenue. See agenda.

Valerie’s House has terminated its ECT contract, effective immediately. The nonprofit will focus on its core services.

ECT staff has recommended not renewing contracts with Urban Development (YouthFirst Century) and the Children’s Theater.

The agenda packet has no data to show if any of the programs have improved students’ grades or school attendance. The board will blindly trust the staff analysis and roll the dice another year with taxpayer dollars.