What is Differentiated Accountability (DA)? DA is an accountability system that aligns the state’s current accountability measures with federal No Child Left Behind legislation. DA uses Florida school grades and adequate yearly progress (AYP) to place schools in various DA school categories, enabling the school system to cater its plans of action and levels of intervention depending on the intensity of the school’s problems.

Why would a school enter DA? Schools enter DA if they do not meet AYP for two consecutive years.

How does a school exit DA? Schools must make AYP for two consecutive years to exit DA.

What is the difference between Category I and Category II in DA? In order to best troubleshoot each individual school’s issues, the DA matrix splits schools based on school grade and percent of AYP not met. The differentiated categories each have their own individualized action plan, minimizing the requirements for higher performing schools and differentiating school-wide concerns from subgroup intervention.

When does the government intervene with a failing school? Schools that either have not shown improvement in reading and math during a five-year period or do not have at least 65 percent proficiency in reading or math would be considered Intervention schools. Additionally, schools that have earned at least four F grades in the past six years are eligible for intervention.

Does DA only apply to Title 1 schools? No, any school not making AYP for each subgroup of students is placed on the DA matrix; however, no A, B or C school will ever fall into the Intervention category.

Who implements DA interventions? Either the district or state, depending on where the school falls on the DA matrix. Teachers can be monitored by various observers in their classrooms from each branch depending on their categories. As many as three groups of observers may stand in on teachers during the workday.

How is DA affecting our educational professionals? DA demands that education professionals spend an unreasonable amount of time on non-instructional duties. Education professionals are often times frustrated with the necessary rigid adherence to a fast-pace instruction mandated in DA. Moreover, the uniformity in teaching has killed creativity, hurt morale and reduced students learning.

How is DA affecting education support professionals? Florida’s DA law also mandated all education support professionals, not only those in Title I schools, become highly qualified by the 2011-2012 school year.

How is DA affecting Broward County students? Classrooms are continually interrupted during the workday, and students’ learning environment is stressed and fragmented.