TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Citizens Alliance is urging all 2026 gubernatorial candidates to commit to replacing Florida’s curved public school grading system, citing new analysis showing that most public schools would receive failing or near failing marks if held to the same standards used to grade students.
The organization’s review of Florida Department of Education data shows that if traditional grading scales were applied, where scores below 60 percent are considered failing, 44.5 percent of Florida’s public schools would receive an F grade. Only 21.5 percent earned 70 points or more, meaning about one in five public Florida schools would receive a C grade or better under standard grading criteria.
“The reality about Florida’s public schools is that they’re abysmal. Parents and voters deserve to know the truth about how Florida’s schools are performing and we need actual commitments to resolve the dilemma,” said Pastor Rick Stevens, Co-Founder and Director of Florida Citizens Alliance. “We are only asking that schools be graded on the same scale they use for our children. If a student who scores below 60 percent receives an F, a school that earns the same score should receive an F, as well. Anything less hides the severity of the problem.”
Florida Citizens Alliance says the state’s continued use of a curved grading model for schools misleads families and masks the depth of Florida’s academic challenges.
“The data speaks for itself,” Stevens said. “When more than half of schools fail under traditional grading and only a small fraction would pass with a C or higher, something is fundamentally broken. Our next governor must be willing to address this honestly and boldly.”
Last year’s School Grades Bill, HB 1483, attempted to raise grading expectations over a seven year period. The proposal was later folded into HB 1267 before dying in the Senate. Florida Citizens Alliance says the failure of the bill highlights the need for stronger leadership committed to comprehensive reform.
“We cannot continue pretending everything is fine while students fall further behind,” Stevens said. “Florida needs a governor who will end curved grading, restore real graduation standards, and make transparency nonnegotiable. Voters should expect clear, measurable plans from every candidate running for the state’s highest office.”
Florida Citizens Alliance is calling on each gubernatorial candidate to publicly outline their reform strategy and demonstrate how they plan to reverse the trend of widespread underperformance.
About Florida Citizens Alliance
Founded in 2013, Florida Citizens Alliance champions K-12 education reform in Florida. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, FLCA’s mission is to provide real solutions that maximize student potential and protect children in Florida. The three pillars of our mission are engaging local communities through our KIDS FIRST program, providing alternative education resources through our Microschool Initiative, and promoting legislative action.
