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Highlands

GreatSchools Rating: 6 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
Highlands County
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PH: (863) 471-5564
FAX: (863) 471-5622

District Web site >

  • Grades K-12 & ungraded
  • 12,425 students
  • 19 schools

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 FCAT Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above grade level

Grade 3

Reading
 74% (2008)
 70% (2007)
 73% (2006)
 67% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 72% in 2008.

Math
 80% (2008)
 76% (2007)
 69% (2006)
 66% (2005)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4

Reading
 67% (2008)
 63% (2007)
 62% (2006)
 71% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2008.

Math
 67% (2008)
 66% (2007)
 60% (2006)
 61% (2005)
The state average for Math was 71% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Reading
 61% (2008)
 68% (2007)
 61% (2006)
 64% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2008.

Science
 37% (2008)
 34% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for Science was 43% in 2008.

Math
 56% (2008)
 48% (2007)
 49% (2006)
 49% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6

Reading
 58% (2008)
 56% (2007)
 61% (2006)
 52% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 63% in 2008.

Math
 44% (2008)
 47% (2007)
 51% (2006)
 43% (2005)
The state average for Math was 53% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7

Reading
 59% (2008)
 58% (2007)
 56% (2006)
 48% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 65% in 2008.

Math
 59% (2008)
 59% (2007)
 48% (2006)
 54% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Reading
 50% (2008)
 43% (2007)
 40% (2006)
 41% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 53% in 2008.

Science
 36% (2008)
 29% (2007)
 28% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Math
 64% (2008)
 58% (2007)
 59% (2006)
 58% (2005)
The state average for Math was 67% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 9

Reading
 39% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 34% (2006)
 31% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 46% in 2008.

Math
 57% (2008)
 57% (2007)
 55% (2006)
 55% (2005)
The state average for Math was 65% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Reading
 30% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 27% (2006)
 29% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 38% in 2008.

Math
 62% (2008)
 68% (2007)
 67% (2006)
 68% (2005)
The state average for Math was 69% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 11

Science
 32% (2008)
 35% (2007)
 34% (2006)
The state average for Science was 38% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math; in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in science.
  • The FCAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.
  • The FCAT has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest.
  • Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

See Florida's state standards

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 FCAT Writing+ Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above level 3.5

Grade 4

Writing+
 84% (2008)
 75% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 77% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Writing+
 85% (2008)
 77% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 88% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Writing+
 69% (2008)
 75% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 78% in 2008.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing+ to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
  • The Writing+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school.
  • The FCAT Writing+ exam contains both multiple choice questions and an essay. The scores on GreatSchools profiles reflect student performance on the essay portion only.
  • The essay is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3.5 and above to meet state standards.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

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 FCAT NRT Results

 
Scale: National Percentile Rank (50 is the national average)


Grade 3
Reading Math

47
 56
 60
 60

60
 65
 68
 62
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 4
Reading Math

52
 65
 59
 66

60
 64
 74
 66
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 5
Reading Math

57
 66
 68
 69

59
 68
 70
 73
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 6
Reading Math

52
 65
 61
 57

58
 66
 64
 67
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 7
Reading Math

54
 62
 59
 64

65
 64
 71
 70
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 8
Reading Math

65
 62
 59
 62

66
 73
 69
 71
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 9
Reading Math

61
 61
 60
 59

68
 71
 69
 69
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008


Grade 10
Reading Math

63
 66
 56
 61

57
 68
 66
 55
 2005   2006   2007   2008   2005   2006   2007   2008 
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the Tests

  • In 2007-2008 Florida used a norm-referenced test (NRT) section on the FCAT to assess students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math.
  • The FCAT NRT measures how well students in Florida scored in comparison to their peers across the country.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above the national average on the test.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

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 Teachers

 
Teacher Credentials
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Classes taught by out-of-field teachers9%9%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Experience
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Average years teaching1512
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Education Levels
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Teachers with advanced degrees24%34%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per teacher1515
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White53%46%
Hispanic25%25%
Black18%23%
Multiracial3%4%
Asian/Pacific Islander1%2%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Subgroups
Information about this data
Source: 1FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
2FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program160%46%
Students with disabilities214%15%
Students with disabilities (middle)217%14%
Students with disabilities (high school)215%13%
Gifted students22%4%
Gifted students (middle)23%7%
Gifted students (high school)24%5%
English language learners27%11%
English language learners (middle)23%6%
English language learners (high school)23%5%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
Attendance and Completion
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students absent more than 21 days6%7%
Students absent more than 21 days (middle)12%10%
Students absent more than 21 days (high school)12%15%
Stability rate94%94%
Stability rate (middle)95%94%
Stability rate (high school)92%92%
School Attendance: Issues to Consider >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$8,167$7,861
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional56%57%
Student and staff support12%11%
Administration10%10%
Other expenditures21%21%
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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