EDUCATION
Florida Tops 60% Proficiency Mark; Escambia Middle Schools Post Biggest Gains
Statewide scores hit record highs in both reading and math, and Escambia County’s middle schoolers are closing the gap faster than almost anyone else.
For the first time since Florida launched progress monitoring, more than 60% of the state’s public school students are now performing on or above grade level in both English language arts and math, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday, June 26.
It’s a milestone three years in the making, and Escambia County’s data shows the same trend, with some grades — particularly middle school — improving even faster than the state as a whole.
The Statewide Numbers
Between 2023 and 2026:
- ELA proficiency rose 12 percentage points, from 49% to 61%
- Math proficiency rose 9 percentage points, from 53% to 62%
“Florida did not become the Education State by accident. We got here by setting high expectations, empowering parents, supporting teachers, and refusing to settle for the status quo. For the first time ever, more than 60% of Florida students are now performing on or above grade level in both English language arts and mathematics. This success demonstrates that our education reforms, like progress monitoring, are delivering real results for our students.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis
How Escambia County Compares in ELA
Escambia County hasn’t caught up to the statewide ELA average yet, but its year-over-year improvement has outpaced the state in several grades, especially in middle school, where gains of 16 to 20 points are far above the statewide 12-point bump.
| Grade | 2026 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Grade | 57% | 45% | +12 pts |
| 4th Grade | 67% | 57% | +10 pts |
| 5th Grade | 56% | 48% | +8 pts |
| 6th Grade | 54% | 36% | +18 pts |
| 7th Grade | 58% | 38% | +20 pts |
| 8th Grade | 53% | 37% | +16 pts |
Figures reflect ELA progress monitoring scores. Only public schools take the assessment.
What Changed: Progress Monitoring
Florida became the first state in the nation to scrap traditional end-of-year-only testing in favor of a progress monitoring system. Under the old model, a student could struggle for an entire school year before teachers and parents got any data showing it.
Progress monitoring instead gives teachers, students, and families real-time insight into where a student stands, allowing instruction to be adjusted before problems compound. Since the system’s rollout in 2023, performance has climbed steadily across grade levels and student subgroups, both statewide and in Escambia County.