Reading scores dropped during pandemic, but Flagler County third-graders exceeded state average

Scores in Flagler County dropped 9 points from 2019, but Flagler Schools surpassed the state’s average by 5 percentage points.


  • By
  • | 3:00 p.m. June 25, 2021
Photo by WavebreakMediaMicro on Adobe Stock
Photo by WavebreakMediaMicro on Adobe Stock
  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Schools
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For the first time in two years, third-grade students across Florida took part in state assessments. On June 22, the State Board of Education released the results of the English/Language Arts Florida Standards Assessment given to third-graders this spring. 

Overall, 59% of Flagler Schools third-graders scored a level 3 or higher on the FSA Reading test, which is a nine-point drop from 2019.

However, it surpassed the state’s average by five percentage points.

Flagler Schools was prepared to see a dip in the scores, coming off one of the most challenging years seen in education.

“I believe this shows how important face-to-face instruction is for our students,” Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt said. “Just 78% of our third-graders were physically in a classroom this past spring. Fortunately, we have identified students in need of additional supports, and many of them are now taking part in our Summer Reading Program.”

LaShakia Moore, Flagler Schools incoming director of teaching and learning, said the district is already addressing the challenges some of our students face following the 2020-2021 school year.

“With our students back in our buildings, I am confident that through explicit, systematic instruction and progress monitoring implemented by our highly qualified educators, our students will regain the momentum we experienced pre-COVID," Moore said.

During the 2020-2021 school year, Flagler Schools offered three learning environments. In addition to the 78% of third-graders in “in-person” learning, 17% took part in our innovative, or “RemoteLive” option, while 5% enrolled in the iFlagler Virtual Franchise.

 

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