Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On Monday, July 7, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) released its “2024-25 School Grades” report, reflecting public school performance across the state for the last school year. Jefferson County K-12 Community Partnership School (a “combination” school) has received a grade of C (a 53 percent on the school grading scale). This is lower than the B (a 60 percent) it received last year in the 2023-24 report, and a slightly higher C than reported for 2022-23, the baseline year for the current testing framework. “Obviously what I am pleased about is that for three years in a row we have had a passing grade, and I am proud of the overall turnaround of the school,” said Superintendent of Schools Jackie Pons in an interview with ECB Publishing. “I am disappointed we didn't maintain the B, but I have a plan in place with great teachers and staff for continued improvement. That should always be our goal: to shoot for an A and be the best we can be. I am excited about our new principal who has been hired and her record of school improvement.” Jefferson County School Board Chair Brenda Wirick expressed her support for Supt. Pons and said, “I am looking at the list of teachers, and they are the greatest teachers I have ever worked with. I know our kids can be successful with the right team, and Mr. Pons is building a strong team who will make a difference in Jefferson County.” The FDOE report notes that the grading scale for 2024-25 grades for middle, high and combination schools is as follows: A = 64+ percent of possible points; B = 57- 63 percent of possible points; C = 44-56 percent of possible points; D = 34-43 percent of possible points; and F = 33 percent or less. This is the same grading scale that was used for combination school grades in 2023-24. A different scale was in place during 2022-23, which was the year the state switched to a new “progress monitoring” approach to testing. Because that was a baseline information year, data in certain areas was not collected, such as learning gains from the previous year when a different type of test was used. The table below shows points earned in components of the Jefferson K-12 school grade, with data from the two previous years, for which comparable information is available. The data suggests that significant progress was made in 2024-25 across three of the four English Language Arts (ELA) components. Drops appear in most categories over the past year; however, more points were earned in all achievement components this year than in the same components for the baseline year. Turning Point, the other school in the Jefferson district, was identified by FDOE as an alternative school that could choose a School Improvement Rating (SIR of Commendable, Maintaining or Unsatisfactory) instead of a school grade (of A, B, C, D or F) for 2024-25. Administration chose the SIR framework, and Turning Point's rating was calculated as “Maintaining.” For 2024-25, FDOE reported SIRs for 277 of its public schools. Two components figure into SIRs: ELA Learning Gains (100 possible points) and Mathematics Learning Gains (100 possible points). Turning Point had 20 points for ELA Learning Gains and 64 points for Mathematics Learning Gains. The total of 84 points was 42 percent of the 200 possible points. The scale for SIRs is as follows: Commendable = 50+ percent of points; Maintaining = 26-49 percent of points; and Unsatisfactory = 25 percent of points or less. The report indicates this is the first time Turning Point has opted for SIR. “I am very proud of Turning Point,” said Pons. “Every student in our district should have an opportunity for success, and I am proud of what we're doing there. Under the new leadership of Principal David Chambers, I am confident the school will continue a positive trajectory.” The Jefferson County School District tested 99 percent of its students and as a whole received a grade of C for 2024-25. The district also had a C grade for 2023-24 and 2022-23. Spreadsheets containing the full reports and explanatory documentation can be found in the Accountability & Reporting section of the FDOE website. The Jefferson County School Board holds its next meeting at the district office on Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m.
