Since the publication of our original report in April 2001, the Legislature and Department of Education have continued to implement components of the A+ Plan by expanding FCAT to all grades 3 through 10 and incorporating learning gains into the school grading criteria. Since the report's release, school grades and student performance improved. However, many students have not achieved proficiency in reading and math. Schools are implementing various strategies to improve performance in these subjects and the department has disseminated information on effective teaching strategies, particularly in reading.
The department also has improved program measurement and plans to expand current measures to assess the performance of programs such as vocational education that receive large state appropriations. However, the department's inspector general has not yet fulfilled his statutory responsibilities to independently verify that performance data is accurate and reliable.
Although Florida is considered to be on track in meeting many of the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), most Florida schools did not meet the federal adequate yearly progress criteria in 2003-04. Florida has set annual targets to meet the NCLB goal to have 100% of students proficient by 2013-14, but given the current rate of improvement, the state may not meet this goal.

No Title
Report 01-22
The Department of Education Has Taken Initial Steps to Improve Student Progression Data
Report 08-42 June 2008
Steps Taken to Improve Charter School Financial Management and Performance Accountability; Additional Action Needed
Report 08-04 January 2008
High School Completion Rate Increased Slightly After FCAT Graduation Policy Implemented
Report 07-27 April 2007

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.