The state board of education announced recently that beginning this school year Florida high schools will be graded using a new formula, which bases nearly 50 percent of the schools’ overall grades on FCAT scores and the other 50 percent on various school-related components.

For Suwannee County’s two district high schools this could mean a few bumps in the road, but otherwise smooth sailing thanks to programs already in place or in the works, according to Cheryl Mae Brinson, district director of curriculum and instruction.

Under Senate Bill 1908, passed during the 2008 legislative session, the high school grading formula now accounts for both Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test performances and new measures such as participation and performance on advanced coursework, graduation rates and the college and career readiness of student, according to the state department of education.

“Fifty percent of a high school’s grade will be based on performance of their student on the FCAT, and the remaining 50 percent will be based on factors that include: the school’s graduation rate; performance of students in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Enrollment, Advanced International Certification of Education and industry certification; postsecondary readiness of students measured by the SAT, ACT, or College Placement Test; high school graduation rate of at-risk students; and growth or decline in these date components from year to year,” according to a DOE press release.

In Suwannee County, high school students have several options available to help give them a one-up on their education and career and help boost the high schools’ overall grades. The district currently provides advanced placement options, dual-enrollment through local colleges, and soon to come down the pipeline are more certification programs, Brinson said.

“The school district received a half-million dollar grant (earlier this month) through Workforce Florida Inc. to get kids remediated with math for the purpose of getting them eligible to participate in workforce academies,” Brinson said.

Those grant funds will help assist in creating four academies with training in digital media, health science, teacher cadet and agricultural science.

“We get extra points toward our overall school grades for kids who complete these academies,” Brinson said. “It just depends on how quickly we can get someone on to implement this grant. I’m hopeful that we can implement all of them in the second semester after Christmas.”

The changes in the weight given FCAT scores are most recognizable in the state’s actual grading scale.

Previously, high school received an A with a score of 525 points or more; at least 95 percent tested; at least 50 percent of lowest students in reading and math must make gains in the current year; B = 495 to 524; C = 435 to 494; for B and C at least 50 percent of lowest students in reading and math must make gains in one of two consecutive years; D = 395 to 434 ; F = less than 395.

Under the new plan, schools are eligible to receive up 800 points from FCAT scores alone. Taking into account the new grading components, which also accounts for up to 800 points, high schools will be graded on the following scale: A is 1050 or greater; B – 990 to 1049; C – 870 to 989; D – 790 to 869; F – less than 790.

The only real drawback to the new high school grading formula for Suwannee schools is that GED recipients and students who opt for the GED-exit program will not be tallied into the overall graduation totals for high schools. The district has a high number of students each year who go this route to complete high school.

“If we do not do something different, it will negatively impact our graduation percentage, most assuredly so,” Brinson said. “We are seeing more and more students who are needing to go a regular route. So, as many as possible we want them on campus and going through a regular graduation tract.”

State Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith called the grading formula changes “a significant step forward four our state,” in a recent press release. He said, “In addition to providing a better representation of the accomplishments of our high schools, this new grading formula will help increase the educational opportunities available to students throughout Florida.”