Phoenix (October 5, 2018) – Arizona issued its 2018 “A-F” letter grades for public schools – district and charter – today. Here’s what you need to know about these grades:
- For the second year in a row, Arizona’s public charter sector leads the state in the percentage of quality A- and B-rated schools. Of the public schools that received an A-F letter grade, 68 percent of public charters received these top grades compared to 55 percent of district schools. In 2016-17, 66 percent of public charters earned an A or B letter grade, while 55 percent of districts received an A or B.
- However, there are also a higher number of F-rated charters with 5 percent of public charter schools receiving an F letter grade compared to 2 percent of district schools. Public charter schools receiving F ratings face consequences, including closure by the state agency which oversees Arizona’s public charter schools, the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. District schools lack this same consequence.
- The State of Arizona initially instituted an “A-F” rating system in order to provide parents and families with easy-to-understand information about the relative performance of public schools across our state. The grades reflect school performance during the 2017-18 school year for the traditional accountability model. The Arizona Department of Education did not issue grades for alternative or online schools. Additionally, some schools received a “Not Rated” designation from the Department. All public schools have until Oct. 25 to appeal their letter grades.
“While letter grades are just one factor for parents to use in deciding which public school is right for their child, we are proud of the hard work of our public charter school leaders, teachers, and students that is reflected in these letter grades.” said Eileen Sigmund, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association.
