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Polk County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating: 5 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

1915 S Floral Ave
Bartow, FL 33830
Polk County
Map >

PH: (863) 534-0521
FAX: (863) 519-8231

District Web site >

  • Grades PK-12 & ungraded
  • 94,698 students
  • 145 schools

View all schools in this district >

Compare top-rated schools in this district:


 FCAT Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above grade level

Grade 3

Reading
 61% (2011)
 66% (2010)
 66% (2009)
 67% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 72% in 2011.

Math
 74% (2011)
 76% (2010)
 74% (2009)
 74% (2008)
The state average for Math was 78% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 4

Reading
 65% (2011)
 64% (2010)
 68% (2009)
 65% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2011.

Math
 71% (2011)
 69% (2010)
 71% (2009)
 65% (2008)
The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 5

Reading
 62% (2011)
 63% (2010)
 64% (2009)
 61% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.

Science
 43% (2011)
 42% (2010)
 40% (2009)
 36% (2008)
The state average for Science was 51% in 2011.

Math
 54% (2011)
 58% (2010)
 55% (2009)
 54% (2008)
The state average for Math was 63% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 6

Reading
 60% (2011)
 60% (2010)
 59% (2009)
 55% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.

Math
 48% (2011)
 48% (2010)
 45% (2009)
 43% (2008)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 7

Reading
 62% (2011)
 63% (2010)
 59% (2009)
 58% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 68% in 2011.

Math
 52% (2011)
 53% (2010)
 50% (2009)
 51% (2008)
The state average for Math was 62% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 8

Reading
 48% (2011)
 47% (2010)
 47% (2009)
 45% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 55% in 2011.

Science
 36% (2011)
 34% (2010)
 33% (2009)
 32% (2008)
The state average for Science was 46% in 2011.

Math
 59% (2011)
 59% (2010)
 58% (2009)
 57% (2008)
The state average for Math was 68% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 9

Reading
 40% (2011)
 39% (2010)
 38% (2009)
 38% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 48% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 10

Reading
 29% (2011)
 31% (2010)
 30% (2009)
 30% (2008)
The state average for Reading was 39% in 2011.

Math
 63% (2011)
 64% (2010)
 61% (2009)
 60% (2008)
The state average for Math was 71% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 11

Science
 31% (2011)
 31% (2010)
 28% (2009)
 30% (2008)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

About the Tests

  • In 2010-2011 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 and 10 in math; in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in science.
  • The FCAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.
  • Students must pass the grade 10 FCAT in order to graduate.
  • The FCAT has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest.
  • Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

See Florida's state standards

Back to top >
 FCAT Writing Results

 
Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

Grade 4

Writing
 97% (2011)
 95% (2010)
The state average for Writing was 97% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 8

Writing
 97% (2011)
 96% (2010)
The state average for Writing was 97% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Grade 10

Writing
 94% (2011)
 92% (2010)
The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

About the Tests

  • In 2010-2011 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
  • The Writing is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school.
  • The FCAT Writing exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3 and above to meet state standards.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

Back to top >
 Teachers

 
Teacher Credentials
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2009-2010
 This DistrictState Average
Classes taught by non-highly qualified teachers3%5%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Education Levels
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2009-2010
 This DistrictState Average
Bachelor's degree75%65%
Master's degree24%32%
Doctorate degree<1%1%
Other degree<1%2%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per teacher1415
How Important is Class Size? >
Back to top >
 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White51%46%
Hispanic22%25%
Black22%23%
Multiracial3%4%
Asian/Pacific Islander1%2%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Subgroups
Information about this data
Source: 1FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
2FL Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program150%46%
Students with disabilities211%15%
Students with disabilities (middle)214%14%
Students with disabilities (high school)216%13%
Gifted students22%4%
Gifted students (middle)26%7%
Gifted students (high school)25%5%
English language learners211%11%
English language learners (middle)25%6%
English language learners (high school)24%5%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
Attendance and Completion
Information about this data
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2009-2010
 This DistrictState Average
Graduation rate (high school)68%73%
Dropout rate (high school)4%2%
School Attendance: Issues to Consider >
Back to top >
 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$8,380$8,514
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional64%60%
Student and staff support9%11%
Administration9%9%
Other expenditures18%20%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
Back to top >
Tips and Advice by Grade Level
Tips and Advice for Your Kindergartener Tips and Advice for Your First-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Second-Grader
Tips and Advice for Your Third-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fourth-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fifth-Grader