Florida's Improved Grades Mask Deeper Education Issues

Florida's schools are basking in the glow of improved grades. On July 7, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that 71 percent of graded schools earned an A or B for the 2024-25 academic year, up from 64 percent the previous year. Charter schools performed even better, with 77 percent hitting those top marks. The state's shift to progress-monitoring tests, known as FAST, is credited for giving teachers and parents real-time data to boost student outcomes. On the surface, it's a win worth celebrating.

But dig deeper, and the picture isn't so rosy. Advocates for public education argue these gains come with a steep price. Changes to the grading scale in 2024 made it easier for schools to score higher, potentially inflating results. Meanwhile, the state's heavy investment in school choice programs, like vouchers and charters, is pulling resources away from traditional public schools. This raises a critical question: are these high grades a true reflection of student success, or a mirage masking deeper inequities?

Public schools are the backbone of Florida's education system, serving millions of students across diverse communities. However, they face a funding crunch. In 2024-25, over one billion dollars flowed to scholarship programs, enabling families to choose private or charter schools. While choice sounds empowering, critics point out that this diverts critical funds from public districts. Florida ranks in the bottom third nationally for per-pupil spending when adjusted for cost of living, leaving many schools struggling to maintain facilities or hire enough teachers.

The teacher shortage is particularly alarming. Entering the 2025 school year, Florida reported over 4,000 vacant teaching positions. Low pay and high workloads are driving educators away, especially in underfunded districts. When schools lack resources, students in marginalized communities, like English learners or those with disabilities, often face the biggest setbacks. Advocates argue that prioritizing vouchers over public school investment widens achievement gaps, leaving vulnerable students further behind.

Florida's A-F grading system, in place since 1999, is meant to hold schools accountable. But recent tweaks have sparked skepticism. In 2024, the State Board of Education adjusted cut scores, making it easier for schools to earn A's and B's. While the number of D and F schools dropped from 117 to 71, some question whether this reflects real progress or manipulated metrics. Without an independent audit, it's hard to know if the system is truly measuring student growth or just boosting report cards.

Transparency is another sore point. Voucher-funded private schools face less scrutiny than public ones, with limited public access to their performance data. This lack of oversight worries parents and educators who want clear evidence that all schools, public or private, are delivering quality education. The state's reliance on FAST tests, given three times a year, provides useful data but eats into teaching time. A single, externally validated assessment would streamline the process and restore trust in the results.

Florida's education system has long been a laboratory for reform. The A-plus Plan, launched in 1999 under Governor Jeb Bush, tied funding to performance and set the stage for vouchers. Over the decades, the state has experimented with Common Core, new standards, and now FAST testing. These changes have produced real gains, like improved fourth-grade reading scores, as noted by the Urban Institute. But long-term benefits, such as higher wages for graduates, remain uncertain.

Today's policies, including expanded vouchers and curriculum restrictions, have deepened divisions. Critics argue that diverting funds to private schools risks resegregation by race and income, a step backward from equitable education. Meanwhile, the state's focus on workforce readiness and civics often overshadows the needs of students who thrive in arts or advanced academics. For many, the current path feels less like progress and more like a high-stakes gamble with public education's future.

The good news is that solutions exist. Advocates for public education call for boosting teacher pay to match or exceed inflation, a move that would attract and retain talent. Investing in community-school models, which integrate social services like health care and tutoring, has proven effective in other states. These schools act as hubs, addressing barriers like poverty that hinder learning. Strengthening oversight of voucher programs is necessary, ensuring private schools meet the same rigorous standards as public ones.

Restoring a balanced assessment system is another priority. Keeping FAST's real-time feedback and pairing it with a single, trusted exam would cut testing time while maintaining accountability. An independent review of the grading scale would help ensure grades reflect real achievement. These steps would prioritize students over politics, creating a system where every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a world-class education.

Florida stands at a crossroads. The 2025 school grades show progress, but they also highlight a growing divide between those who benefit from choice and those left behind in underfunded schools. By recommitting to public education, the state can honor its promise to every student. The path forward involves ensuring reforms work for all students. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.