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State Releases School Grades Friday

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — The Florida Board of Education released grades for most of the state's public schools Friday, but only after the scores underwent a last-minute overhaul.

The A to F scores were changed to limit the number of schools that get F grades.

Earlier this month, the State Board of Education voted by a 4-3 margin to tweak the formula in such a way that as many as 150 schools will likely avoiding getting an F grade.

"Florida's teachers and educators are the nation's best and they have consistently improved the results of students in preparing them for a brighter future in college and careers," said Governor Rick Scott. "By maintaining stability and high standards as we transition to Common Core State Standards, we are sending a clear signal that Florida's students will be prepared for success in college and careers."

The decision to change the grading standards was done over the protest of some officials who said the move would confuse parents and mask the true performance of many schools.

Based on preliminary results, statewide the number of "A" schools dropped from 48 percent to 29 percent while the number of "F" schools increased from 2 percent to 4 percent, according to the state Department of Education.

Breaking the numbers down further, 482 schools dropped out of the "A" level. 227 schools were added to the "C" level and 141 were added at the "D" level. A total of 67 schools were added to the "F" level.

"These results reflect Florida's commitment to higher standards and the hard work our great educators have put in to become the nation's best," said Florida Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett. "I have no doubt that together we will continue to make our state the best place to learn, to work and to live. We still have a long way to go, but I am confident our schools and districts will rise to the challenge."

In Miami-Dade, 14 schools received an "F". 10 of those schools dropped from a "D" last year, to an "F" this year. 2 of those schools received an "F" last year, and remained an "F" this year. 2 schools had no score for last year.

In Broward County, 13 schools received an "F" but two of those failing schools actually shutdown this year.  7 others dropped from a "D" last year, to an "F" this year. 2 of the failing schools, minus the closed campus, also received an "F" this year. 2 schools had no score for last year.

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