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The Arizona State Board of Education recently published its preliminary letter grades for public schools for the 2023-24 academic year, revealing an encouraging trend for many institutions across the state.

Approximately 36% of Arizona’s public schools earned A’s, with another 41% achieving B’s, showcasing a strong performance overall. Conversely, less than 0.5% of schools, specifically six institutions, found themselves classified with an F grade, indicating significant challenges in educational outcomes.

The letter grades serve as a yearly reflection of school performance, categorizing institutions as “excellent” with A’s, “highly performing” with B’s, “adequately performing” with C’s, “minimally performing” with D’s, and “failing” with F’s, as outlined by the State Board.

To ensure accountability in education, federal legislation mandates that states measure school performance, while Arizona state law formalizes the A-F grading system used in its assessments.

Significant improvements were noted in several school districts within the Valley, as various institutions demonstrated advancements in their letter grades compared to the previous academic year. Agua Fria Union, Balsz Elementary, and others achieved notable upward shifts, reflecting a collective commitment to academic excellence.

Jennifer Petty, the superintendent of the Morristown Elementary School District, expressed pride in her district’s noteworthy transition from a C to an A grade, labeling it a “remarkable improvement” that is the culmination of dedicated efforts since the district’s identification as a “D” school in 2020. The success, according to Petty, stems from implementing targeted, standards-based instruction, offering free tutoring services, prioritizing student emotional support, engaging families and the community, investing in professional development, and fostering a comprehensive approach to raising academic standards.

Peoria Unified credited its upward shift in letter grades to the relentless dedication of its talented teachers, the hard work displayed by its students, and supportive parents and community members. Moreover, the recent adoption of a new curriculum in math and science has been instrumental in enhancing classroom instruction, according to statements made by district officials.

Despite the successes, some districts in Maricopa County experienced declines in their overall letter grades this year. Arlington Elementary faced a significant drop from B to D, while Chandler Unified and several others also saw their evaluations slide downward, reflecting a need for targeted improvement strategies in those schools.

What do Arizona’s public school letter grades measure?

The grading system evaluates various indicators such as student growth from year to year, proficiency levels on statewide assessments, and readiness for high school among elementary students, as well as progress toward graduation for secondary school learners.

Are these school letter grades final?

While the initial letter grades offer insight into school performance, they are not yet finalized; schools have the option to appeal their evaluations until November 15. This process allows for corrections related to incorrect data, adverse testing conditions, or extraordinary circumstances affecting school performance.

Which schools received F’s?

Six schools unfortunately received F’s, indicative of systemic failures in areas such as proficiency, student growth, and graduation rates, placing them in the bottom 5% of schools in Arizona. Notably, one of the institutions graded F was an alternative school serving at-risk students in the Navajo County Accommodation District.

Where can I find a school’s letter grade?

While these letter grades are indeed significant for parents when selecting schools, they are not the sole measure of school performance. Other factors, including available programs, extracurricular activities, and unique school characteristics, are critical to consider. Further information regarding school assessments can be accessed online at https://azreportcards.azed.gov/.

For specific letter grades for schools, visit https://azsbe.az.gov/parents/a-f-school-letter-grades.

Reach the reporter at [email protected].