Walton County schools ranked among top in state for standardized test scores. See the results

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Walton County was one of top school districts in the state for the 2021-2022 school year, according to results from the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) and other exams.

On Thursday, the Florida Department of Education released the results from all state testing for the 2021-2022 school year. The results are based on FSA, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT), and End of Course exams (EOC).

FSA tests are the subjects of English/language arts (grades 3-10) and math (grades 3-8). FCAT tests are the subjects of science (grade 5 and 8), and EOC tests are in the subjects of Algebra I, geometry, biology, civics, and U.S. history.

Former student's lawsuit: Former South Walton student alleges school officials caused economic damages, emotional pain

'Time for actually learning': DeSantis visits NWFL school to celebrate dumping standardized tests

During the 2020-2021 school year, Walton County ranked sixth out of 67 Florida counties in overall proficiency levels on state tests. With test results released at the end of June, the county now ranks third out of 67 counties in overall proficiency levels for the 2021-2022 school year. The only two counties scoring higher than Walton were St. Johns and Nassau, which are located on the east coast of Florida.

Walton scored in the top 10 in 20 of the 21 tested items. The results are as follows:

• 10th in 3rd and 6th grade ELA

• 9th in civics and 7th and 8th grade ELA

• 8th in 8th grade science

• 7th in 3rd grade math and 5th grade science

• 6th in 5th grade ELA and 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th grade math

• 5th in 4th and 9th grade ELA

• 3rd in geometry, U.S. History, and 10th grade ELA

• 2nd in algebra I and biology

The one component below the top 10 in ranking was 7th grade math. In that test, though, Walton showed the greatest year-over-year improvement  going from a 24th ranking in 2020-2021 to a 14th ranking in 2021-2022.

“We have a vision to be No. 1, to be the best school district in the state of Florida, and I’m sure some thought we were crazy or would never get to that goal," Superintendent Russell Hughes said. "But every year we continue moving forward. It really is awe inspiring! I am amazed over and over again by our faculty and staff and their love of students and the value they have for education.”

Walton schools scored above the state average in all areas of testing.

The state average in ELA is 52% proficient; Walton is 60%, 8% higher. The state average in Math is 55%, with Algebra I and Geometry at 49%. Walton is at 64% proficient in Math, 9% higher; 73% in Algebra I, 24% higher; and 69% in Geometry, 20% higher.

The state average in 5th and 8th grade Science is 48%; Walton is 58% (10% higher) in 5th grade and 57% (9% higher) in 8th grade. In Biology, the state average is 61%; Walton is 78%, 17% higher. In Civics, the state average is 69%; Walton is 76%, 7% higher. In US History, the state average is 65%; Walton is 78%, 13% higher.

“Results don’t just happen by chance!," Hughes said. "In Walton County, we are intentional, we are purposeful, and we never give up — not on students, not on ourselves, and not on our goals — no matter the circumstances. We are EPIC, and we are moving 4wRd; I am overjoyed!”

Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Hawthorne echoed Hughes' sentiments and provided additional data.

“When the superintendent shared his vision in 2016, No. 1 sounded daunting. But everyone went to work, moving our students from eighth to sixth and now third," Hawthorne said. "It truly is what vision is all about. Everyone in Walton County is behind the superintendent’s vision, and as you can see, the vision is becoming reality for our students — the most important part of our work.”

Over the course of the next few days, the School District will enter state test scores into itsr district data system, FOCUS. Once that is complete, parents will be able to see student scores by logging into their child’s FOCUS account.

Schools will also receive the scores, as well as school grades in the coming months.

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

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Walton County schools rank third in Florida standardized testing