A bill (SB 338, HB 121) filed by Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, and Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, would require the state to take into consideration the level of student participation in fine arts courses, including music, dance and arts, in determining that school’s grade.
Currently, a school’s grade is determined by students FCAT scores, learning gains in math, reading and science, and how much the lowest-performing students improve.
For high schools, the grades are also determined by the graduation rate, the performance and participation of students in college preparatory exams, and the graduation rates of at-risk students.
School grades wield a lot of power in determining a school’s reputation, and carry with them some financial rewards for good grades and increased oversight, and in rare instances, sanctions for low grades.
