TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The number of top rated high schools in Florida is dropping.
Grades released Thursday by the Florida Department of Education showed that the number of A-graded schools dropped from 49 percent last year to 36 percent this year.
The number of schools given a B did edge up slightly from 33 percent to 35 percent.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said a key reason for the drop in A-rated schools was that the grading formula was changed to make it harder to earn a top grade.
Elementary and middle school grades were announced last summer.
The department tried to downplay the drop in the number of A-rated schools in its official release. Instead the department highlighted that the state's overall high school graduation rate edged up slightly this year.
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