Today, the Florida Department of Education released student test scores that were administered in the spring of 2023-24.
Orange County Public Schools showed an impressive increase of 4% in math and 3% in English language arts. Overall, the district’s achievement levels increased or remained the same in 17 of the 21 reported subject areas and grade levels from last year.
Scores released included: Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Progress Monitoring 3 (PM3) English Language Arts (ELA) for Grades 3 through 10, FAST PM3 Mathematics for Grades 3 through 8, Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Algebra 1 End-of-Course (EOC), B.E.S.T. Geometry EOC, Grade 5 and Grade 8 Statewide Science Assessment, Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Biology 1 EOC, NGSSS Civics EOC, and NGSSS U.S. History EOC.
The percentage of OCPS students scoring Level 3 or higher was
above the state’s percentage in the following subject areas and grade levels:
• FAST ELA PM3: Grades 3, 4, and 5
• FAST Mathematics PM3: Grades 3, 5, and 8
• B.E.S.T. EOCs: Geometry
• Statewide Science Assessments: Grades 5 and 8
• NGSSS EOCs: Biology and U.S. History
The percentage of OCPS students scoring Level 3 or higher was the same as the state’s percentage in the following subject areas and grade levels:
• FAST Mathematics PM3: Grade 4
Last year, the state provided schools and parents an assessment portal in which they could access real-time testing data during the FAST assessment windows for ELA and mathematics. This is the first year that science and social studies were immediately available as well through the assessment portal, as all assessments are now computer-based. The results for grades 3-10 ELA FAST, 3-8 Mathematics FAST, and the B.E.S.T.-aligned Algebra 1 and Geometry statewide assessments are based on final achievement level cut scores approved by the State Board of Education for the 2023-24 school year. Comparisons made between the 2023 and 2024 data are based on retrofitted scores for Spring 2023 FAST PM3 and B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 and Geometry EOC.
“We are very pleased with our students’ academic gains released by the Florida Department of Education today. These scores are reflective of the hard work of our students, teachers, administrators and parents. They are evidence of their dedication to leading our students to success,” said Superintendent Maria Vazquez. “I am grateful to the Governor and the Florida Department of Education for moving in this direction with a new assessment. The change gives our school and district staff the ability to monitor and adjust instruction, as needed.”
| Test |
OCPS 2023 |
OCPS 2024 |
| Grade 3 ELA |
52% |
57% |
| Grade 4 ELA |
60% |
54% |
| Grade 5 ELA |
54% |
58% |
| Grade 6 ELA |
44% |
52% |
| Grade 7 ELA |
45% |
47% |
| Grade 8 ELA |
46% |
49% |
| Grade 9 ELA |
46% |
51% |
| Grade 10 ELA |
49% |
51% |
| Test |
OCPS 2023 |
OPCS 2024 |
| Grade 3 Mathematics |
59% |
62% |
| Grade 4 Mathematics |
62% |
58% |
| Grade 5 Mathematics |
55% |
58% |
| Grade 6 Mathematics |
53% |
55% |
| Grade 7 Mathematics |
38% |
36% |
| Grade 8 Mathematics |
58% |
61% |
| Algebra 1 |
53% |
53% |
| Geometry |
47% |
54% |
| Test |
OCPS 2023 |
OCPS 2024 |
| Grade 5 Science |
59% |
61% |
| Grade 8 Science |
50% |
48% |
| Biology |
62% |
69% |
| Civics |
61% |
62% |
| U.S. History |
63% |
69% |