Marion County Public Schools Drops to “C” Grade Despite 46 Percent More “A” and “B” Schools

The district's drop was attributed to a tougher grading scale from the Florida Dept. of Education, and MCPS did improve on unique school and student testing scores.

MCPS sign with motivational message on grassy roadside in Ocala under partly cloudy skies.

352todayThirty-one schools in the district increased their overall points in the past year.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Department of Education just gave Marion County Public Schools an overall “C” grade, despite public schools in the district garnering 46 percent more individual “A” and “B” grades than in the previous year.

So how could such a thing happen?

“The MCPS district grade decreased primarily because new state requirements raised the grading threshold. Previously, a district needed 57 points for a “B” grade; now 60 points are needed. MCPS scored 59,” read a release from the district. “Of MCPS’ traditional public schools, all are now graded ‘A,’, ’B’, or ‘C.’ This year, 31 schools increased their overall points earned including 22 elementary, six middle, one high, and two combination schools.  As well, 14 schools improved their letter grades, 31 maintained, and only one school dropped.”

The school which dropped a grade was not named in the announcement.

Marion County Schools grade breakdown:

8 “A” grades (up from 6 last year) 
14 “B” grades (up from 9 last year) 
26 “C” grades (same as last year) 
0 “D” grades (down from 5 last year) 
0 “F” grades (same as last year)

The release goes on to say that 52 percent of MCPS students are “on or above grade level (up 4 percent over last year),” and that students surpassed state average growth in math (3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th grades) and science (3rd and 5th grades).

Despite the drop in overall grade from the Dept. of Education, the MCPS report shows growth and improvement in both student scores and individual institution scoring overall.

As for the five charter schools in the county, which operate under independent agreements with MCPS and set their own study curricula but are nonetheless factored into the district’s overall grade rating, one improved a letter grade, one maintained its previous letter grade, and three dropped at least one letter grade from the previous year.