FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    JIM HORNE
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
    CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
    LINDA K. T
    March 22, 2004
    To: School District Superintendents
    From: Commissioner Jim Horne and Chancellor Jim Warford
    Subject: School Letter Grades 2003-04
    The Department of Education has been in the process of reviewing school district
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    designation of school types for purposes of school grading. The purpose of this effort is
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    to ensure that as many students as possible are included in the school accountability
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    system. Students attending most stand alone, full time alternative schools should be
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    eligible to be included in the school accountability system. However, more time is
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    needed to work closely with school district personnel to develop a strong and consistent
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    policy on this matter. Therefore, the Department will not issue a school letter grade this
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    year, 2003-04, to schools that did not receive a school letter grade in previous years due
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    to the school type designation.
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    Schools that were previously typed as “alternative education” schools or “other” schools
    that are now typed as elementary, middle, high, or combination schools for accountability
    purposes of will have school letter grade points calculated but will not have a school
    2004-05 school year, these schools will be
    assigned a school letter grade. These schools will still receive an Adequate Yearly
    Progress designation in 2003-04.
    The Department is now working with school districts to assign all schools serving grades
    3-10 (excluding Department of Juvenile Justice facilities) a school type of elementary
    school, middle school, high school, or combination school for purposes of school
    grading.
    School Superintendents
    March 22, 2004
    Page 2
    We believe this policy will give us all the time needed to ensure schools are properly
    identified for purposes of reporting and for accountability. Please contact Christy
    Hovanetz in the Evaluation and Reporting Office with any questions at 850-245-0411.
    cc:
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    John Winn
    Jeanine Blomberg
    Christy Hovanetz
    District Accountability Contacts
    District Assessment Contacts
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