State assessment scores released Tuesday show improvement in key areas for students in Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
The Florida Department of Education released its 2024 scores this week using its Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) standards. This is the second year for that assessment format, so results can be compared to the previous year’s score.
In one key area, third-grade language arts skills, Sarasota County students scored 68%, topping 2023’s 62% by 6 percentage points.
Charlotte County had 57% of third-grade students edging up 1 percentage point over 2023.
Both districts topped the state average, which is 55% for third-grade reading assessments.
DeSoto scored 38% for third-grade reading, a jump of 5 percentage points from 2023.
Sarasota County Schools’ scores reflects the district’s “commitment to academic excellence” and the “hard work of our students, teachers and staff,” according to statement from the district released Tuesday afternoon.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by our students, teachers, staff, administrators, and families throughout this school year,” said Sarasota County Superintendent Terry Connor in a statement to the media. “Their tenacity and collaborative efforts have significantly improved our state assessment results in every area. This achievement is a testament to our community’s investment in public education and the collective dedication to our shared vision for academic excellence in Sarasota County.”
Connor is in his first year at the school district, replacing Brennan Asplen, whom the Sarasota County School Board fired in late 2022. The board hired Connor in late June, 2023.
“Together, we have set a new standard for success, and I look forward to building on this momentum in the future. We are eagerly anticipating the final release of data in late July that will be used to determine the district and school grades. Not only then will our schools be able to celebrate their success, but this crucial information will also help determine their next steps for their continuous advancement,” Connor wrote.
Also in his first year is Charlotte County Schools Superintendent Mark Vianello, who said Tuesday he’s optimistic that the numbers will increase in the upcoming school year.
“When you look at our state ranking two years ago, we were 33 out of 67 districts in learning gains and student achievement,” he said. “I expect we will be at that level again next year when both are evaluated.”
Vianello made several changes and helped create a new strategic plan during the 2023 school year. He said those were the building blocks needed to make changes and increase scores.
“We’ve laid the foundation for future growth,” he said. “We rolled out the instructional framework needed, meaning we now have a plan. This school year, we will implement that plan.”
Vianello said he’s focused on taking every student and maximizing their potential and abilities.
“We are excited about the future,” he said. “We have a new career planning guide for each student. It’s developed so they can take something that’s relevant in their life and make that connection between the work they do in school and life they lead outside the classroom.
“This type of instruction will lead to better attendance, less discipline and higher academic scores and better academic success.”
Sarasota County also raised scores in geometry, up 8 points to 64%.
FLDOE is expected to release school grades in late July 2024.
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