Schools must improve performance, no matter how high their original scores, to earn an A or jump a grade level. Schools with higher enrollments of non-native English speakers typically do not perform as well as students born in this country. All children who have lived in the United States for two years are required to take the test in English, and their scores are lumped with majority students. South Lee and East Fort Myers have high Hispanic enrollments, and both struggled. FCAT results are combined with secondary factors such as attendance, suspension and dropout rates to formulate A, B, C, D and F grades.
Letter grades influence the public's perception of a school, either positive or negative.
Principals can distribute bonuses to teachers and school workers, purchase school supplies or add more staff members. Using letter grades to factor a district grade point average, Lee County earned a 2.69 G.P.A. for the 2000-01 school year. During the 1998-99 school year, the district's G.P.A. was a lowly 2.23, but rose to 2.81 last year. Format this story for printing. Send an electronic postcard to somebody you know.