Duval improves on standardized tests, 3 middle schools could still be turned into charter schools

Duval County school leaders, teachers and parents are making a special trip to Tallahassee on Friday to meet with Gov. Rick Scott about the future of Duval schools.

This comes just after Duval and other Northeast Florida counties showed overall improvement in standardized test scores on Thursday.

Duval County Public Schools is celebrating Thursday after the scores showed the district is up 2 percent over last year. English-Language Arts test scores are on the rise for Duval County Schools in grades three through 10.

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But the exciting news maybe short-lived.

“We want the governor to veto House Bill 7069,” said DCPS Chairwoman Paula Wright.

The bill could shut down three Jacksonville middle schools, turning them to charter schools. Ribault, Matthew Gilbert and Northwestern Middle Schools all have a ‘D’ letter grade and could be in jeopardy of closing, if the bill is passed.

“We’re also asking that our legislators, see us, hear us, and give us a choice. Because a neighborhood school is a choice,” Wright said.

Eunice Barnum said her kids went to Ribault Middle and she said they passed with flying colors.

“I’m not certain that bringing in a charter school will make things any better,” Barnum said.

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Barnum said the students are not to blame and shouldn’t be punished.

“My thing is, where were you state, district and whomever, federal government, where were all of you before we got here?” Barnum said.

The grades for individual schools won’t be released until July. That’s when the district will know if the grades for the three middle schools -- Ribualt, Northwestern and Matthew Gilbert -- have improved or not.

Cox Media Group