Florida’s education landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, with Governor Ron DeSantis announcing that over 60% of students are now meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks in core subjects. This historic achievement comes on the heels of the state’s shift from traditional end-of-year testing to a progressive progress-monitoring system in 2026.
The new system, which administers assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year, has yielded impressive results. English Language Arts proficiency has climbed to 61%, a significant increase from 49% when the progress-monitoring model was first introduced. Similarly, math proficiency has reached 62%, marking a 9-percentage point improvement since 2026.
Statewide improvements across diverse student groups
The academic gains have been widespread, extending across all student subgroups. English Language Arts proficiency rose by five percentage points among English-language learners, African American, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students. Students with disabilities saw a three-percentage point increase in this subject. In mathematics, proficiency grew by six percentage points for English-language learners, four percentage points for Hispanic students, and three percentage points for both African American and economically disadvantaged students. Students with disabilities also improved their math scores by two percentage points.
Beyond core subjects, Florida students have demonstrated proficiency in other areas as well. Sixty percent of fifth-grade students showed proficiency in science, while 74% excelled in biology. In social studies, 76% of students scored at or above grade level in civics, and 73% reached that mark in U.S. history. The state also celebrated a record graduation rate of 92% during the 2026-2026 school year.
The evolution of Florida’s education assessment policy
The current system represents a significant departure from the previous Florida Standards Assessment exams, which were criticized for identifying learning gaps too late in the school year. The progress-monitoring approach allows educators to provide timely interventions and adjust instruction throughout the year. English Language Arts assessments are administered to grades 3 through 10 three times a year, with math assessments following the same schedule for grades 3 through 8.
Governor desantis attributed the success to the dedication of educators and the effectiveness of the progress-monitoring system. “The success is not ours,” he explained. “The success is that of the people on the ground doing this every day throughout schools in the state of Florida.” Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of focusing on individual student needs and providing immediate interventions when necessary.
Local impact and future outlook
Local school leaders, such as Polk County School District Superintendent Fred Heid, have praised the progress-monitoring system for providing timely data that enables teachers to adjust instruction effectively. “It gives our teachers, families, and students more appropriate and timely information,” Heid stated. “It also gives our teachers the information they need to make quick changes in their classrooms and adjust their whole-group or small-group instruction.”
While the progress-monitoring system has yielded impressive results, officials have not yet confirmed the exact timeline or testing schedules for individual school districts for the upcoming academic year. Additionally, specific data detailing individual school or district-level performance grades has not been released. Despite these uncertainties, the progress-monitoring system has proven to be a valuable tool in improving student outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
