State Board Approves School Grading Changes

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – The formula used to grade schools is changing once again.

On Tuesday, the state's Board of Education voted 4-3 to approve the formula change pushed by Education Commissioner Tony Bennett.

"Today marks a critical step in preparing schools and students for the coming increased expectations of Common Core State Standards," said Board Chairman Gary Chartrand. "Maintaining high and consistent standards between now and 2014-15 will position us to best help those schools that need the most assistance in preparation for these more rigorous standards."

Each year the state hands out A-to-F grades that are used to reward top schools and sanction those that get failing marks.

On Friday Bennett recommended a "temporary rule" that would limit a school grade from dropping more than one letter at a time. That means that more than 100 schools will avoid getting an F grade this year.

Board members opposed to the change said they were manipulating and disguising the true academic performance of the state's schools.

Miami-Dade schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho, however, called the change the "right approach."

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