Florida School Districts Graded: Hillsborough and Pasco County Struggle, Collier and Bay Districts Excel

Hillsborough County School Board members are grappling with disappointing school grades that show a significant number of D and F schools in the district. The report revealed that many students are not demonstrating proficiency in English and math. While the state's change in standards and testing systems makes year-to-year comparisons impossible, the statistics were particularly bleak for Hillsborough's elementary schools, which saw a significant increase in D and F schools compared to the previous year. Superintendent Van Ayres acknowledged the significance of the report and expressed optimism for improvement in the future. Board members highlighted concerns about the readiness of younger students and the opportunity gap in marginalized communities.