Partial state test results show increases in local math scores, slight decrease in language arts

Press release from Alachua County Public Schools

Initial state test scores released late this afternoon by the Florida Department of Education show increases in local math passing rates, particularly in Algebra, and a slight decrease in English Language Arts rates. Results for the science, civics, and history tests have not yet been released.

On the math FSA (Florida Standards Assessment), which is administered to students in grades 3 through 8, the percentage of Alachua County students scoring a 3 or higher in math rose from 51% to 52%. On the Algebra EOC (End of Course) exam, the percentage of students scoring 3 or above increased from 46% to 52%, which so far is the most significant increase in passing rates. For the Geometry EOC exam, the local percentage rose from 50% to 51%. 

Alachua County’s Algebra and Geometry passing rates are higher than the state’s rate of 49% for each test. The district’s math FSA passing rate this year was below the state’s rate of 55%.

Alachua County’s secondary school students did better than their state peers on the math FSA, particularly high school students. Their passing rate this year was 55%, compared to the state rate of 50%

For the English Language Arts (ELA) FSA, the percentage of local students who scored at 3 or above dropped slightly from 53% to 52%, which matches the state’s percentage. 

While the district is awaiting the release of the rest of the test scores, district and school staff are already reviewing the initial results for individual schools, grade levels, and students.

“We’ll be digging deep into the data so that we can see where students improved and where they didn’t,” said Jennie Wise, the district’s Chief of Teaching and Learning. “That information will drive our instructional strategies for the upcoming school year.”

Earlier this year the Florida Legislature, at the urging of Governor Ron DeSantis, eliminated FSA testing in favor of a new accountability system that would involve more ‘progress monitoring’ during the school year. Details about that new system are still being rolled out.