OKALOOSA AND WALTON COUNTIES (FLORIDA) REMAIN AT THE TOP FOR THE STATE

As reported, Okaloosa and Walton Counties continue to remain at the top of the heap when it comes to educating our students and just another reason, why folks flock to our area. Great job by the school districts and wish continued success.

Area high schools see boost in grades
KATIE TAMMEN
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4440 ktammen@nwfdailynews.com  
Almost every local high school met or exceeded new state standards used to calculate school grades. The Florida Department of Education released the results Tuesday morning that now base school grades on student performance in several areas in all grade levels rather than just FCAT scores. “It’s a very comprehensive, intensive set of criteria that are in place this year,” said Guyla Hendricks, Okaloosa County’s curriculum coordinator. In both Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties, the high schools earned four A grades and two B grades. “I think we knocked it out of the park,” said Santa Rosa County Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. “It just validates what we’ve been doing.” The district saw its greatest improvement at Milton High School, which raised its grade from a D to an A. Okaloosa County saw a similar improvement at Choctawhatchee High School. The Fort Walton Beach school went from a C to an A. “I’ve never been prouder of a group of people,” said Choctaw Principal Cindy Gates. She said the improvement was the result of 16 months of hard work by teachers, students, parents and administrators. In addition to encouraging more collaboration between teachers, the school identified students who were struggling and worked with them on an individual basis. “It wasn’t just about the school grade, it was that we wanted to make sure our students were where they needed to be,” Gates said. The new criteria for rating high schools is intended to ensure just that. In addition to FCAT scores, the new system looks at how many students are taking accelerated courses, such as Advanced Placement and dual enrollment; college readiness, based on scores on the SAT or the ACT; and graduation rates. The change is part of a national trend to streamline high school education across the country and at the same time raise the bar for students. “Research has shown … raising the rigor results in a greater opportunity for success for the students,” Hendricks said. Schools in Walton County schools received two A grades, a C grade and a D. Superintendent Carlene Anderson couldn’t be reached Tuesday afternoon for comment. The high school grades come about four months after the release of grades for elementary and middle schools. All three districts performed well in those grade levels as well.