This post was created on 05/26/2022.

Fifty-three percent of Pasco County’s third graders passed the state’s reading test this year, a passing rate that matched the state average and was higher than all but one Tampa Bay area school district.

The statewide trend was a dip in scores this year, and Pasco was no exception. Pasco’s overall passing rate last year was 56 percent. State officials offered some perspective on the overall decreases, pointing out that this year’s third graders were first graders when the pandemic disrupted schooling. As a result, their formative reading years were full of challenges.

“This group of third graders has had a lot to overcome,” said Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning. “I’m proud of them for holding their own and outperforming so many of their peers. We still have a lot of work to do, and I know our students and teachers are up to the challenge.”

Several Pasco elementary schools had much to be proud of. Trinity Elementary School posted an 83 percent passing rate, up from 69 percent last year. Sanders Memorial posted an 82 percent passing rate. Starkey Ranch K-8, which opened this year, posted a 76 percent passing rate, and Connerton Elementary experienced a huge improvement, posting a 75 percent passing rate, up from 54 percent last year.

School district results can be found on the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Standards Assessments page.

 

Tampa Bay Area Third-Grade Reading Scores

	2021	2022
Hernando	57%	54%
Hillsborough	51%	49%
Manatee	49%	46%
Pasco	56%	53%
Pinellas	54%	52%
Polk	47%	48%
State	54%	53%