News Summary
The Florida Department of Education’s recent testing results for students indicate a promising increase in math and reading proficiency across the state. With a 3% rise in math scores, 58% of students demonstrated on-grade proficiency, while reading scores also improved, reaching 57% at level 3 or higher. Despite these advancements, concerns remain regarding overall performance on national assessments. Governor Ron DeSantis highlights the importance of a student-centered educational framework as the state aims to address disparities among counties and demographic groups.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Department of Education has released end-of-year testing results indicating a significant increase in student proficiency across the state in math and reading for 2025. The data highlights improvements in test scores for students from grades 3 through high school, demonstrating progress in critical academic areas.
In the latest statewide progress monitoring scores, math performance for all students has seen a notable rise of 3% compared to 2024, with 58% of participants achieving a level 3 or higher understanding. This score categorization reflects the student’s mastery of grade-level material, where level 3 indicates on-grade proficiency, level 4 signifies proficiency, and level 5 represents exemplary performance. Nassau County recorded the highest proficiency, with 78% of its students testing at level 3 or higher, while Gadsden County reported the lowest at 35%.
Similarly, reading scores for students in grades 3-10 improved from 53% achieving a level 3 or higher in 2024 to 57% in 2025. Gadsden County again scored lowest in reading performance at just 36%, while St. Johns County topped the list with 72% demonstrating acceptable reading levels.
Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that Florida’s educational framework prioritizes a factual, student-centered, and parent-empowered approach. The progress monitoring system, implemented for the third consecutive year, consists of tests administered three times a year to identify and support students who may be struggling. This regular assessment allows for timely interventions to help improve student outcomes.
In the Spring 2025 civics assessment, 71% of students scored a level 3 or higher, with 47% achieving proficiency or above. However, the performance of Florida students on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicates a decline, as they ranked among the bottom 10 states for eighth-grade math and reading. The NAEP data also highlighted the lowest fourth-grade reading scores in the state since 2003, raising concerns about Florida’s educational effectiveness.
In response to the NAEP findings, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. disputed the results, questioning the methodology used in the assessment and pointing out disparities in student representation during testing. Currently, Diaz is set to leave his position to take on the role of interim president at the University of West Florida, with Anastasios Kamoutsas appointed as the new education commissioner.
Examining racial demographics, African American students recorded an improvement, as 45% achieved level 3 or above in 2025, up from 40% in 2024. Hispanic students also showed progress, with 55% scoring at or above level 3 in math, compared to 51% the previous year.
In North Central Florida, Alachua County reported that 55% of students scored level 3 or higher in English Language Arts and improved slightly to 54% in math. Conversely, Marion County students performed the lowest in the region, with 48% achieving level 3 or above in reading and 47% in math. Gilchrist County emerged as the top performer for math in North Central Florida, with 62% at level 3 or higher.
Palm Beach County demonstrated a statewide average for reading that matched the state’s overall performance at 57%. In math, however, Palm Beach surpassed the state average with 64% achieving proficiency. Notable elementary and middle schools in the county, such as Morikami Park and North Grade K-8, showcased exceptional results, contributing to the area’s educational success.
In summary, the progress monitoring data for 2025 show an upward trend in proficiency scores among Florida’s students, while also revealing disparities among various counties and demographic groups. The ongoing evaluation and educational reforms aim to continue improving student outcomes based on these findings.
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Additional Resources
- WCJB News
- Florida Phoenix
- Palm Beach Post
- The Ledger
- Wikipedia: Education in Florida
- Google Search: Florida student test results 2025
