Chances are, the celebrations are still continuing in some schools. The Florida Department of Education’s latest report card on high schools showed marked improvement in Hillsborough County. More than half improved their grades. And whereas only two earned A’s last year, eight received A’s this year.
Seemingly the only pedagogical party poopers were those who read the fine print. The criteria had changed. A premium was placed on how much access was being provided to accelerated course work–including Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses.
Schools should be encouraged to encourage achievement. Of course. But to reward sheer access, irrespective of readiness and results, is misleading and academically deceitful. Plant High is a “B” school and Brooks-DeBartolo is an “A”–from “D”?