The Florida Department of Education released the results from the spring testing window, which most parents and students may know as FSA (Florida Standards Assessments), FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test), and EOC (End of Course) exams. These tests include the FSA English Language Arts (grades 3-10); FSA Math (grades 3-8); FCAT Science (grades 5 and 8); and EOC exams in Biology, Algebra I, Geometry, Civics, and US History.

Walton County’s Superintendent, A.Russell Hughes, and his team were anxiously awaiting results and began to analyze school, district, and state data immediately. Initial analysis shows that Walton County ranks 8th in the state among all 67 counties.  Superintendent Hughes commented, “I am extremely pleased with our continued top rankings when it comes to state assessments. These results prove and solidify our continued commitment to instructional practices that end with great results based on student performance.”

Of the 21 tested areas, Walton County students rank in the top 10 of all districts on 9 tested subject areas, including 5th, 7th, and 9th grade English language arts; 8th grade math, 8th grade science, biology, Algebra I, geometry, and civics. Walton County students ranked 2nd in the state in the areas of 7th grade English Language Arts and geometry as well as 4th in the state on the Civics EOC exam.

Superintendent Hughes gave all the praise to the Walton County School District system.  He stated, “While state testing is our checks and balances with accountability, I am constantly reminded of the caring people who lead our district and schools, the  phenomenal teachers who teach with care, compassion, and expertise. I would venture to say that some of the most amazing students perform on these assessments with the support of their parents make the success we are experiencing a reality. We call this EPIC (Excellence-Professionalism-Innovation-Collaboration) in the Walton County School District!”

Walton County and each of its individual schools will continue to analyze data over the next month and will also look forward to the state’s release of school grades in the near future. As more data becomes available, the district will continue to share all results with parents and students, including individual student assessment reports.

Looking to the future and the 2019-2020 school year, Superintendent Hughes stated, “While our vision is to be the top in the state in assessments, the reality is we still have a lot to do and a long way to go to ascertain that reality. While this is one indicator of our success, we certainly have much more than successful test scores to show our belief in the power of investing in the whole child when it comes to educating the students of Walton County. Let me say as the superintendent, on behalf of the entire Walton County School District, the school board, and our 1200 plus employees, it is a privilege to work with all stakeholders to deliver these results, and we look forward to improving our scores next year and investing more than ever into our children as we prepare them for a life of success. EPIC is the Way!”

For more information on the Walton County School District, please visit www.walton.k12.fl.us/ .

To view the statewide and district-level state assessment results, visit 2019 Assessment Results visit: www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/results/2019.stml

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