STORAGE NAME: h1483.EAS
DATE: 3/17/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 1483
TITLE: School Grades
SPONSOR(S): Valdés
COMPANION BILL: None
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Education Administration
Student Academic Success
Education & Employment
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill, to be known as the Schools Committed to Outstanding Results and Excellence (SCORE) Act, increases
transparency surrounding the school grades earned by Florida schools. Between the 2025-26 school year and the
2028-29 school year, the bill provides for the transition from the current State Board of Education defined school
grading scale to a traditional A-F grading system for school grades. During the transition, the bill requires that both
the grade for the current year grading scale as well as that of the final scale be published by the Department of
Education. Additionally, the bill requires that both the school’s current grade as well as the grade that would have
been earned under the traditional A-F grading scale be printed on all student report cards.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
None
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill, to be known as the Schools Committed to Outstanding Results and Excellence (SCORE) Act, provides for
the transition from the current State Board of Education (SBE) defined grading scale to a traditional A-F grading
system for school grades. The transition will be incremental and take place over the next 5 years. For the 2024-25
and 2025-26 school years, all school grades will be calculated using the SBE adopted grading scale. For the
subsequent school years, the bill requires the Department of Education (DOE) to use the following grading scales
when calculating school grades:
2026-27 school year;
o A = 70 percent of points or greater;
o B = 60 percent to 69 percent of points;
o C = 50 percent to 59 percent of points;
o D = 40 percent to 49 percent of points;
o F = 39 percent of points or less;
2027-28 school year;
o A = 80 percent of points or greater;
o B = 70 percent to 79 percent of points;
o C = 60 percent to 69 percent of points;
o D = 50 percent to 59 percent of points;
o F = 49 percent of points or less;
2028-29 school year and thereafter;
o A = 90 percent of points or greater;
o B = 80 percent to 89 percent of points;
o C = 70 percent to 79 percent of points;
o D = 60 percent to 69 percent of points; JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
o F = 59 percent of points or less.
The bill requires that each year the DOE publish the official school grade pursuant to the grading scale prescribed
by law as well as the grade that the school would have earned under the final grading scale. The bill clarifies that
the second grade, calculated using the final grading scale, is for informational purposes only.
The bill requires that along with the two grades awarded to each school the DOE must include whether a school
needs intervention and support under Florida’s school improvement system and the criteria used to make that
determination. (Section 1 and 3)
Finally, the bill requires that all student report cards include the most recent school grade earned by the school
along with the applicable grading scale and, during the transition to the new grading scale, the second
informational grade based on the final grading scale. (Section 2)
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 4)
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
School Grades
School grades are used to explain a school’s performance in a familiar, easy-to-understand manner for parents and
the public.
1 School grades are also used to determine whether a school must select or implement a turnaround
option.
2 The annual reports
3 must identify schools as having one of the following grades:
4
“A” for schools making excellent progress.
“B” for schools making above average progress.
“C” for schools making satisfactory progress.
“D” for schools making less than satisfactory progress.
“F” for schools failing to make adequate progress.
Each school that earns a grade of “A” or improves at least two letter grades may have greater authority over the
allocation of the school’s total budget generated from the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), state
categoricals, lottery funds, grants, and local funds.
5
Each school must assess at least 95 percent of its eligible students.
6 Each school must receive a school grade based
on the school’s performance on the following components, each worth 100 points.
7
2023-2024 School Grades Model
1
Section 1008.34(1) and (2), F.S.
2
Section 1008.33(4), F.S.
3
Pursuant to DOE Emergency Order No. 2020-EO-1, spring K-12 statewide assessment test administrations for the 2019-20
school year were canceled and accountability measures reliant on such data were not calculated for the 2019-20 school year.
Pursuant to DOE Emergency Order No. 2021-EO-02, only schools for which an opt in request was submitted by the school
district superintendent or charter school governing board have a letter grade assigned for the 2020-21 school year.
Additionally, in April 2020, the U.S. Department of Education provided a waiver for requirements related to certain
assessments and accountability that are based on data from the 2019-20 school year. See DOE, Emergency Order No. 2020-EO-1
(March 2020), available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/19861/urlt/DOEORDERNO2020-EO-01.pdf; DOE,
Emergency Order No. 2021-EO-2 (April 2021), available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/19861/urlt/2021-EO-
02.pdf; and DOE, Waiver Request (March 2020), available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/14196/urlt/FloridaWaiverRequestUSED.pdf.
4
Section 1008.34(2), F.S.; r. 6A-1.09981(4), F.A.C. See DOE, 2023 Informational Baseline School Grades Overview, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/18534/urlt/SchoolGradesOverview23.pdf.
5
Section 1008.34(2), F.S. (flush-left provision).
6
Section 1008.34(3)(a), F.S.
7
Section 1008.34(3)(b)1., F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
English
Language Arts
Mathematics Science Social Studies Graduation
Rate
Acceleration
Success
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
4-year
Graduation Rate
(0% to 100%)
High School
(0% to 100%)
Grade 3
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
(0% to 100%)
Middle School
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
of the Lowest
25%
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
of the Lowest
25%
(0% to 100%)
The “Achievement” components of the school grade include student performance on statewide, standardized
assessments, including the comprehensive assessments and end-of-course (EOC) assessments. The components
measure the percentage of full-year enrolled students who achieved a passing score.
8
The “Learning Gains” components of the school grade include student performance on statewide, standardized
assessments including the comprehensive assessments and EOC assessments for the current year and the prior
year. The components measure the percentage of full-year enrolled students who achieved a learning gain from the
prior year to the current year.
9 Students with 2 consecutive years of valid scores on the end-of-year progress
monitoring assessments or the mathematics EOC assessments may demonstrate learning gains in four ways:
10
Increasing at least one achievement level on the statewide, standardized assessment in the same subject
area.
For students who score below Level 3, improving by at least one subcategory within Level 1 or Level 2,
based on the student’s scale score, on the next year’s assessment for that subject area.
For students who score a Level 3 or a Level 4, improving the scale score on the next year’s assessment for
that subject area.
For students who score a Level 5, scoring a Level 5 on the next year’s assessment for that subject area.
To be included in the “Achievement” and “Learning Gains” components of a school grade, a student must be
present for both the second and third period full-time equivalent (FTE) student membership surveys and who is
still enrolled at the time of statewide, standardized testing.
11
The “Middle School Acceleration” component is based on the percentage of eligible students attending a middle
school who passed a high school level EOC assessment or industry certification.
12
For a school comprised of grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, or grades 10, 11, and 12, the school’s grade is also based on the
following, each worth 100 points:
13
The “4-year Graduation Rate” component which is the 4-year high school graduation rate as defined by SBE
rule.
The “High School Acceleration” component which is the percentage of students who:
8
Florida Department of Education, 2024 School Grades Overview, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/18534/urlt/SchoolGradesOverview24.pdf.
9
Id.
10
Rule 6A-1.09981(2)(b)1., F.A.C.
11
Rule 6A-1.09981(2)(a) and (4)(a), F.A.C.
12
Rule 6A-1.09981(2)(b)1., F.A.C.
13
Section 1008.34(3)(b)2., F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
o were eligible to earn college and career credit through an assessment identified by the DOE,
14
College Board Advanced Placement examinations, International Baccalaureate examinations, dual
enrollment courses, including career dual enrollment courses resulting in the completion of 300 or
more clock hours during high school, or Advanced International Certificate of Education
examinations;
o at any time during high school, earned national industry certification identified in the CAPE
Industry Certification Funding List; or
o earned an Armed Services Qualification Test score that falls within Category II or higher on the
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and earned a minimum of two credits in Junior Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps courses from the same branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The SBE must annually review the school grading scale to determine if the scale should be adjusted upward to
meet raised expectations and encourage increased student performance. Current law requires that an adjustment
must be made if the percentage of schools earning a grade of A or B in the current year represents 75 percent or
more of all graded schools within a particular school type, which consists of elementary, middle, high, and
combination.
15 This required adjust must continue until the grading scale reaches the following scale for each
school type:
A = 90 percent of points or greater;
B = 80 percent to 89 percent of points;
C = 70 percent to 79 percent of points;
D = 60 percent to 69 percent of points;
F = 59 percent of points or less.
16
To assist in the transition to 2022-2023 school grades and district grades calculated based on the comprehensive,
end-of-year progress monitoring assessment, the 2022-2023 school grades and district grades served as an
informational baseline for schools and districts to work toward improved performance in future years.
17
On July 24, 2024, the State Board of Education amended its rule, so that elementary schools are graded using the
scale that was in place from 2014-2015 to 2021-2022, and all other school types are graded using a new scale.
18
This approach takes into consideration the different components included in the school grade formula for different
school types. The resulting grading scales are as follows:
19
Elementary Schools;
o A = 62 percent of points or greater;
o B = 54 percent to 61 percent of points;
o C = 41 percent to 53 percent of points;
o D = 32 percent to 40 percent of points;
o F = 31 percent of points or less;
Middle, High and Combination Schools;
o A = 64 percent of points or greater;
o B = 57 percent to 63 percent of points;
14
The DOE has identified the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject examination, College Board Advanced
Placement Program examination, Advanced International Certificate of Education examination, International Baccalaureate
examination, Excelsior College subject examination, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) subject
standardized test, and Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) as eligible assessments. See s. 1007.27(2), F.S.
15
Section 1008.34(3)(c), F.S. The adjustment must reset the minimum required percentage of points for each grade of A, B, C,
or D at the next highest percentage ending in the numeral 5 or 0, whichever is closest to the current percentage.
16
Id.
17
Section 1008.34(7), F.S. This provision holds school districts, charter schools, and providers harmless for 2022-23 school
grades with regard to school turnaround, sanctions and penalties, and designation of charter schools or school districts as high
performing. However, a charter school or school district could earn the designation as high performing based off of the 2022-
23 school grade. Finally, the provision describes how mandatory third grade retention will function during the transition. This
provision expires July 1, 2025.
18
Rule 6A-1.09981(4)(e)3., F.A.C.
19
Florida Department of Education, Florida School Grades: 2023-24 School Grades and School Improvement Rating, p. 2,
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/18534/urlt/SchoolGradesResultsPacket24.pdf. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
o C = 44 percent to 56 percent of points;
o D = 34 percent to 43 percent of points;
o F = 33 percent of points or less.
Most Recent School Grades
20
Grades 2023
Number
2023
Percent
2024
Number
2024
Percent
Number
Change
Percent
Change
A 1,102 32% 1,299 38% 197 6%
B 859 25% 916 27% 57 2%
C 1,247 36% 1,119 32% -128 -4%
D 184 5% 109 3% -75 -2%
F 27 0.8% 8 0.2% -19 -0.6%
Total 3,419 3,451 32
School Grades and School Improvement
If a school earns two consecutive grades of “D” or a grade of “F”, it must immediately implement a differentiated
matrix of intervention and support strategies.
21 Districts with a school improvement designated school must
coordinate with the DOE, the Regional Executive Director or designee, and the school to identify and implement
tailored support and improvement strategies designed to address low performance at the school.
22
Florida law specifies several intervention and support strategies for traditional public schools. These strategies
include school improvement planning; leadership and educator quality improvement; professional development;
curriculum review, pacing, and alignment across grade levels to improve background knowledge in social studies,
science, and the arts; and the use of continuous improvement and monitoring plans and processes. In addition, the
SBE may prescribe reporting requirements to review and monitor the progress of the schools.
23
School Improvement Ratings
An alternative school, exceptional student education (ESE) center school, or DJJ education program may opt for a
school improvement rating instead of a school grade.
24 The school improvement rating is calculated using student
learning gains
25 on statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments for all
eligible students who were assigned to and enrolled in the school and who have assessment scores, concordant
scores, or comparable scores for the preceding school year.
26 The school improvement rating identifies such
schools as having one of the following ratings:
27
Commendable: a significant percentage of the students attending the school are making learning gains.
Maintaining: a sufficient percentage of the students attending the school are making learning gains.
Unsatisfactory: an insufficient percentage of the students attending the school are making learning gains.
School Report Cards
20
Florida Department of Education, Florida School Grades: 2023-24 School Grades and School Improvement Rating, p. 4,
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/18534/urlt/SchoolGradesResultsPacket24.pdf.
21
Section 1008.33(4)(a), F.S.; r. 6A-1.099811(1), F.A.C.
22
Rule 6A-1.099811(5)(a), F.A.C.
23
Section 1008.33(3)(c), F.S.; r. 6A-1.099811(5), F.A.C.
24
Sections 1003.51(2)(p), 1008.341, and 1008.3415, F.S.; rr. 6A-1.099822 and 6A-1.099828, F.A.C. School improvement
ratings, which do not include an academic achievement component but instead focus on learning gains, are offered to
alternative schools because the students at these schools are often enrolled in more than one school within the school year. All
alternative students' learning gains scores are included in either the alternative school or home school accountability report.
25
The learning gains measures in ELA and mathematics for the 2020- 2021 school year were revised to reflect learning gains
across two school years (2018-2019 to 2020-2021) due to the nationwide Spring 2020 suspension of assessment and
accountability. See DOE, Accountability Update (2020), available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7506/urlt/Statewide-Accountability-Updates.pdf.
26
Section 1008.341(3), F.S.
27
Section 1008.341(2)(a)-(c), F.S. Concordant and comparative scores may be used to demonstrate learning gains for students
in grades 9 through 12 who scored a Level 1 or 2 in the prior year in the same subject area. See r. 6A-1.099822(2)(c), F.A.C. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
6
The DOE must annually develop, in collaboration with the school districts, a school report card that each school
district must provide to parents within the district. The report card must include:
28
the school’s grade;
student performance in ELA, mathematics, science, and social studies;
information regarding school improvement;
an explanation of school performance as evaluated by Every Student Succeeds Act;
29 and
indicators of return on investment.
Each school’s report card must be published annually by the DOE on its website based upon the most recent data
available.
30
District Grades and Report Cards
Each school district must annually receive a district grade (A-F) as part of a district report card.
31 The grade is
calculated based on the same components used to grade the district’s schools using data from each eligible student
in the district, including students enrolled in charter schools.
32 In addition to the district’s grade, the district report
card must also include:
33
the percentage of students in the district, by school and grade level, demonstrating learning growth in ELA
and mathematics;
34
the percentage of students in the district, by school and grade level, in both the highest and lowest quartiles
demonstrating learning growth in ELA and mathematics;
35
measures of the district’s progress in closing the achievement gap between higher- and lower-performing
subgroups;
measures of the district’s progress in demonstrating learning gains of its highest-performing students;
measures of the district’s success in improving student attendance;
the district’s grade-level promotion of students scoring achievement levels 1 and 2 on statewide,
standardized ELA and mathematics assessments; and
measures of the district’s performance in preparing students for the transition from elementary to middle
school, middle to high school, and high school to postsecondary institutions and careers.
On July 24, 2024, the State Board of Education amended its rule, so that the grading scale used to determine district
grades is the same scale used to determine grades for combination schools.
36 The resulting grading scale is as
follows:
37
A = 64 percent of points or greater;
B = 57 percent to 63 percent of points;
C = 44 percent to 56 percent of points;
D = 34 percent to 43 percent of points;
F = 33 percent of points or less.
28
Section 1008.34(4), F.S.
29
20 U.S.C. s. 6301 et seq.
30
Section 1008.34(4), F.S.
31
Section 1008.34(5), F.S.
32
Rule 6A-1.09981(5), F.A.C. The calculation includes students who transfer between schools in the district or who are
enrolled in a school that does not receive a grade. Section 1008.34(5), F.S. However, students who are enrolled in a School of
Hope pursuant to s. 1002.333, F.S. are not included in a district’s grade. See s. 1002.333(6)(a), F.S.
33
Section 1008.34(5), F.S.
34
Section 1008.345(5), F.S.
35
Id.
36
Rule 6A-1.09981(4)(e)3., F.A.C.
37
Florida Department of Education, Florida School Grades: 2023-24 School Grades and School Improvement Rating, p. 12,
available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/18534/urlt/SchoolGradesResultsPacket24.pdf. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
7
RECENT LEGISLATION:
YEAR BILL # HOUSE SPONSOR(S) SENATE SPONSOR OTHER INFORMATION
2022 CS/SB 1048 Plasencia Diaz Became law on July 1, 2022,
except as otherwise provided.
2022 SB 2524 Fine Perry Became law on July 1, 2022,
except as otherwise provided.
2023 CS/CS/CS/HB
1537
Rizo, Daniels Avila Became law on July 1, 2023.
2024 CS/CS/HB 1285 Canady Burgess Became law on July 1, 2024.
OTHER RESOURCES:
2023-24 School Grades Overview
2023-24 School Grades Results Packet
2023-24 Guide to Calculating School Grades, District Grades, and the Federal Percent of Points Index
Florida School Accountability Reports
Know Your Schools Portal
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Education Administration
Subcommittee
Sleap Wolff
Student Academic Success
Subcommittee
Education & Employment
Committee