Florida's school grading formula could become a little easier to understand when the State Board of Education meets next week. According to a proposal online, the new formula would simplify the grades.
Florida's school grades were intended to be an easy-to-understand way for parents to know how their child's school is performing. But educators have complained the formula has gotten too complicated as state officials added more and more components to the formula.
State schools chief Pam Stewart wants to simplify things a little.High school grades now are comprised of a dozen components. That would be reduced to 10 components under the new formula. In addition, Stewart wants to eliminate bonuses and penalties which can effect grades. Those penalties mean two schools could have different grades despite scoring the same number of points.
Stewart also is asking that low-performing schools not be penalized next year as the state switches to a new exam.
The board will debate the proposal Tuesday in Orlando.