Schools

Map: How 2013 School Grades Compare Across Pasco County, Tampa Bay

See how 2013 school grades stack up in Land O' Lakes, Pasco County and across Tampa Bay amid another shakeup and more dissatisfaction with Florida's educational system.

This story was written by Patch Associate Regional Editor Jason Bartolone.

A decline in school grades hasn't been the only bad news for Florida's education system in recent weeks.

State Education Commissioner Tony Bennett resigned last Thursday amid a scandal over policy changes he made while serving as schools superintendent in Indiana, the Huffington Post reports. An Associated Press report revealed Bennett intervened to improve the grade for an Indiana charter school run by a prominent Republican Party donor.

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Bennett's tenure lasted just six months and came one year after previous commissioner Gerard Robinson resigned over criticism of the school grading system. It was another blow to educational reform efforts by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who appointed Bennett.

Pam Stewart was chosen as Bennett's temporary replacement, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday. She'll be the eighth state education commissioner in the past six years. 

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Bennett's resignation comes on the heels of the recent release of 2013 school grades, which saw more than half of elementary and middle schools statewide earn a lower grade due to tougher standards.

The map accompanying this story shows 2013 school grades for Pasco County and the rest of Tampa Bay, as well as how those schools fared in 2012.

"Pending" status is assigned to schools eligible for high school grades, which will be calculated near the end of 2013 when complete data are available.


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