Florida charter schools were more likely than traditional public schools to earn A and F grades under this year’s tougher new standards and tests, state data shows.
Some 48.7 percent of elementary, middle and “combination” charter schools earned A grades, compared to 42.7 percent of traditional public schools, according to Florida Department of Education data.
Meanwhile, 19 charters were stung with F’s (6.1 percent), compared to 28 traditional public schools (1.2 percent).
It appears traditional public schools were harder hit by the higher bar than charters.
Last year, 15 elementary, middle and combination charters were awarded F’s, compared to 17 traditional public schools – a comparison oft-noted by school boards and other critics. At the same time, according to last year’s data, traditional public schools earned A grades at a slightly higher rate than charters, 58 percent to 57 percent.
To see the most recent charter school grades data, check out this this spreadsheet.
Not included in the data is the fact that charters can cherry pick thier students via eligibility criteria. Even with that advantage, they create more “failing” schools than do the public system. Yet , Florida allows charters to grow…why? Ask the hedge fund managers who love the money to be made. Ask how many Florida legislators have ties to charters.