Manatee Schools Sees Improvements on Year End Exams

MANATEE COUNTY -- Manatee District high school students taking End of Course exams for the first time this year bettered the state average in scoring proficient or higher in U.S. History, tied the state average in Biology and fell just one point short of the state average in Algebra I and Geometry according to results released Monday by the Florida Department of Education.

“The results released today continue to show that Manatee County students are closing in or are surpassing the state when it comes to state accountability tests,” said Dr. Diana Greene, Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services. “While these results reflect progress, we are confident that our students and teachers will continue to raise the bar of achievement as we move forward together. I want to thank all of our students, teachers and administrators for making these encouraging results a reality.”

In the U.S. History EOC, 68% of Manatee District students taking the test for the first time scored proficient or higher compared to 65% statewide. The 2014 U.S. History EOC scores are reported on a 151-point scale, ranging from 325 to 475. A student must score 397 to reach achievement level three and pass the test.

In the Biology EOC, 68% of Manatee District students taking the test for the first time scored proficient or higher, which equaled the statewide average. The 2014 Biology EOC scores are reported on a 151 point scale ranging from 325 to 475. A student must score 395 to reach achievement level three and pass the test.

In the Algebra I EOC, 65% of Manatee District students taking the test for the first time scored proficient or higher, just one percentage point behind the state average of 66%. The 2014 Algebra I EOC scores are reported on a 151 point scale ranging from 325 to 475. A student must score 399 to reach achievement level three and pass the test.

In the Geometry EOC, 63% of Manatee District students taking the test for the first time scored proficient or higher, just one percentage point behind the state average of 64%. The 2014 Geometry EOC scores are reported on a 151 point scale ranging from 325 to 475. A student must score 396 to reach achievement level three and pass the test.

This was the first year a Civics EOC was given to students in Florida. The results released today were in the form of a T-score scale and will provide a baseline for future results.