Manatee FCAT scores improve

Test grades released by the Florida Department of Education June 30 show Manatee County public elementary and middle school students are performing better of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Results showed 19 of 52 elementary and middle schools, or 37%, earned an A from the state. Last year, only 32% of schools made an A grade.

Additionally, 36 district schools received an A or B score — an improvement of 15 percentage points compared to last year (69% compared to 54%). And 49 district schools earned an A, B or C grade— up 6 percentage points from last year (94% compared to 88%).

In Manatee, 16 schools, or 31%, saw their grades improve. Bashaw Elementary in the East County went from a C grade to an A, as did Prine and Abel elementary schools. Seven district schools, or 13%, saw declines in their grades.