The first batch of state test scores are in.
The Florida Department of Education has released test results for the state's third grade reading exam. The Florida Standards Assessment language arts scores are from standardized tests Florida students took starting in February.
Overall, 58 percent of Florida's public school students achieved a Level 3 or higher, which is considered to be at or above grade level. That’s one percentage point higher than in 2018.
Third graders in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, Tampa Bay’s two largest school districts, scored an average of 52 and 56 respectively, both below the state average but the Pinellas County School District did improve by three percentage points over last year. Sarasota County had the highest average in the region -- at 70 percent, a two point improvement over last year.
Here are the district averages across the region for the 3rd grade reading test:
- Florida - 58 percent
- Sarasota County - 70 percent
- Citrus County - 61 percent
- Hernando County - 57 percent
- Pasco County - 60 percent
- Hillsborough County - 52 percent
- Pinellas County - 56 percent
- Polk County - 52 percent
- Manatee County - 51 percent
Overall, 20 percent of Florida's third graders earned a Level 1 score, the same as last year. State law requires students to score at Level 2 or higher to progress to 4th grade but students who can show improvement over the summer could still be promoted.
Additional assessment outcomes in reading and math for grades 3-10 will be announced in the coming weeks.
