Holmes County third graders score below state average but higher than expected

HOLMES COUNTY – Florida Standards Assessment results show Holmes CountyÂ’s third graders are performing below the state average. 

The
test results, released last week by the Florida Department of
Education, show a statewide decrease of the number of third grade
students reading at or above grade level by four percent. Here at home,
the 46-percent rate of Holmes County third graders scoring three (3) or higher on the FSA English Language Arts test is eight percent below the state average. 

The test scores are lower than scores from 2019 – the last time students were tested. Testing for 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, but in 2019, Holmes County third graders ranked one percent above the state average. 

Superintendent Buddy Brown says he is surprised at the scores.  ‘‘The scores are considerably higher than what I was expecting,” said Brown. “Dealing with COVID-19 pandemic has in part played a role in the dropping of scores, paired with distance learning snags I am pleasantly surprised they are higher than expected.” 

Third grade FSA ELA scores will be available in the FOCUS Parent Portal soon. 

All other FSA and FCAT scores will be released prior to July 30.  Parents
will be able to view their studentÂ’s scores in the parent portal and a
hard copy of their studentÂ’s results will be sent home to all pupils at a later date.