Additional Updates to 2026-27 Grading Scales for Combination Schools and Districts

The Florida Department of Education has announced updates to the school grading scales that will be used for the 2026-27 school year. Following the completion of the school grades appeals process, the Department confirmed that automatic grading scale adjustments will apply to elementary, middle, and high schools, while combination schools and district grading scales will remain unchanged.

Under Florida law, school grading scales must be adjusted when 75% or more of schools within a particular school type earn an "A" or "B" grade in a given year. The adjustment process increases the minimum percentage of points required for each school grade category ("A," "B," "C," and "D") to the next highest benchmark ending in either 5 or 0, helping maintain rigor and differentiation within the accountability system.

In a July 17, 2026 memorandum to district superintendents, the Department indicated that preliminary school grades data showed the threshold had been met for all school types and districts, triggering automatic adjustments for the upcoming year.

However, after the 30-day appeals period concluded on July 31, 2026, approved appeals altered the final results for combination schools. As a result, the percentage of combination schools earning an "A" or "B" grade dropped from 75% to 74%, placing it below the statutory threshold for an automatic adjustment.

Consequently, the following will apply for the 2026-27 school year:

• Elementary school grading scales will be adjusted.
• Middle school grading scales will be adjusted.
• High school grading scales will be adjusted.
• Combination school grading scales will remain the same as the 2025-26 school year.
• District grading scales will remain the same as the 2025-26 school year.

The updated grading scale table provided by the Department is below for your reference.