The State of Florida has released the 2024-2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) testing results, District grades, and School grades for the State of Florida. The Argus Foundation has fired up its social media informational campaign “Sarasota Schools Data Dig.”

Born in 2021, this campaign, which can be found on our social media channels, Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn, assists the community in understanding how our school district compares to the state average and other districts, and how our schools compare to each other and the state average.

The Argus Foundation takes the data directly from the Florida Department of Education website, which is downloaded in spreadsheets, and we sort them by grades, percentages, and total points, and then highlight the data to make it easier to read and understand. We then screenshot and post the spreadsheet and report on the data point without opinion.

We use one data point spreadsheet per social media post and we post on Mondays and Thursday late afternoons. We began our posts in early July and will be posting data points through at least September.

The news is mostly very good for Sarasota County Schools. We are once again an “A” rated district and ranked as the 7th highest school district in the State of Florida. We are behind Nassau, St. John’s, Walton, LaFayette, Indian River, and Collier County as calculated in total points earned under the State of Florida’s calculation system.

The school comparisons within the county include our charter schools. Sarasota Schools have an incredible 30 schools with an “A” grade, 17 “B” schools, and 6 “C” schools. We have no “D” schools. Out of those “C” schools, 4 are charter schools and only 2 are traditional public schools. These are incredible grades.

In the critical data point of 3rd grade English Language Arts, we have 23 schools testing better than the state average, one at the state average, and 9 schools below the state average. You can see the specific county schools on this data point post so you know where your own neighborhood school ranks.

Our District is going to have to really focus on math, specifically 8th grade FAST testing results. Our district ranks 32 out of 67 counties for this data point. We have only 6 schools testing higher than the state average, with 15 testing below the state average.

Historically, the achievement gap between White students and Minority students has been worse than the state gap, this trend has continued this year. In grades 3-10, the English Language Arts gap between White and African American students is 6 points worse than the state, and 4 points worse than the state when comparing White and Hispanic Students.

In grades 3-8 the Math gap is even worse, with the gap in Sarasota Schools being 8 points worse than the state gap when comparing White students and African American students. It is 6 points worse when comparing White students and Hispanic students.

The Argus Foundation is providing this educational social media campaign as a service to our community, so you know how Sarasota County measures up on education without having to spend hours sorting through spreadsheets. Sarasota County is in a good position and easily could become the top district. We hope to report that very soon. In the meantime, check out our social media for the current data.

Christine Robinson is the Executive Director of The Argus Foundation.  

Learning never stands still—and neither do you. Whether you're pursuing a new career, brushing up on your skills, or simply exploring a new interest, the Lifelong Learning (LL) and Workforce Development (WFD) programs at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) are here to help you grow. With more than 60 new courses launching this year, we’re expanding our commitment to the community in bold and exciting ways.

From industry certification testing, English language instruction, and customized corporate training, to enriching Life & Leisure offerings and our popular Leadership Lunch ‘N Learn Series, there’s truly something for every learner and every schedule.

Exciting new offerings this year include Project Management Fundamentals, Intro to QuickBooks, Spanish for the Workplace, and AI for Business Professionals. On the leisure side, you'll find courses like Painting with Watercolors, Memoir Writing, and Understanding Florida’s Wildlife, designed to inspire curiosity and personal growth.

And in keeping with our motto - “We meet you where you are. We’re Everyone’s College.” - we’re proud to offer flexible, affordable, and relevant learning options tailored to support your goals.

As one recent participant shared:

“The instructor was very knowledgeable and gave real-life examples of using the course material. I appreciated the flexibility and ease of access to the training.”

We’re also thrilled to welcome two dynamic leaders who bring fresh energy and deep expertise to SCF.

Terri Campagna, our new Director of Workforce Development, joins us with more than 20 years of experience leading college-based workforce initiatives. Her insight will ensure SCF remains a forward-thinking partner for both employers and job seekers.

Megan Roberts also returns to SCF in a new role as Director of Lifelong Learning. With a passion for community engagement and accessible education, Megan is ready to connect you with opportunities that inspire and empower.

Another learner shared:

“The instructor did an excellent job of helping me understand a subject I previously avoided. I feel much more confident now and am excited to take more classes.”

Today, SCF offers more than 150 classes and programs across a wide range of topics—from technical certifications and leadership development to wellness, arts, and culture. Whether you're aiming to earn a credential, advance your career, or explore a creative outlet, we’re here to help you get there.

Explore the full course catalog at LearnEd.SCF.edu and find out what’s new. Not sure where to start? Reach out—Terri and Megan are here to help you find the right fit.

With new courses, new leadership, and a deep commitment to service, SCF’s Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development programs are ready to help you take your next step.

Tommy Gregory, J.D.,  is the President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Thriving communities don’t happen by accident; they are built through vision, investment, and collaboration. At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), our mission extends across a region as varied as it is vibrant. While Sarasota County often shines in the spotlight, our neighbors in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties face unique challenges that deserve comparable attention. These communities, along with Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, and Boca Grande, form a broad and interconnected region, one where the well-being of each part strengthens the whole.

Communities like DeSoto and Charlotte Counties are rich with resilience, deep connections, and a strong sense of identity. Local leaders, nonprofits, and residents have been working for years to address challenges such as access to healthcare, food security, and workforce development. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with leaders in both counties to amplify their efforts and create lasting impact. If we are truly committed to building a stronger region, we must ensure these areas are not only included in our vision but are also at the forefront of our strategic investments.

Last year, we launched an ambitious three-year strategic plan with a bold objective: to grow and leverage our philanthropic resources to maximize the most impactful opportunities for our region. This includes a focus on DeSoto and Charlotte counties, ensuring their unique needs and opportunities are part of our shared vision. One way we are achieving this is by aligning resources with donors and partners, combining funding, expertise, and relationships to deliver greater impact where it’s needed most.

One example of this strategic vision in action is Impact Now!, an innovative collaboration between Gulf Coast and the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation. Designed to address urgent needs in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, the initiative invests in projects identified by the communities themselves, ensuring solutions are locally driven and widely supported. By combining our resources, expertise, and relationships, we can help accelerate solutions already in motion and support local leaders and organizations as they work toward lasting change.

Impact Now! builds on Gulf Coast’s strong history of collaborating closely with donors and fellow foundations to strengthen our region. Most recently, Gulf Coast, together with two donor families, awarded a grant to Links2Success to help secure a permanent home for their Family Empowerment Center in the heart of Arcadia. The center will bring critical resources together under one roof, expand partnerships to improve service delivery, and address the root causes of instability through education and empowerment. This investment reflects the findings of recent community conversations, hosted by the Harwood Institute and our friends at The Patterson Foundation, which highlighted the urgent need for accessible, consolidated support services. This collaborative effort demonstrates how targeted philanthropy can create transformative, long-term impact.

As our region grows and changes, it is essential that we ensure every community we serve has a seat at the table. At Gulf Coast, our team, board, and donors are committed to ensuring residents from urban centers to rural areas have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive. Prioritizing investments and partnerships in places like DeSoto and Charlotte Counties means addressing urgent needs while also strengthening the entire region for years to come. Our work is grounded in listening, partnering, and acting with intention because when every part of our region succeeds, we all benefit.

Phillip P. Lanham is President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.    

Pictured: Ashley Coone, Co-Founder of Links2Success receives the key to their newly acquired Family Empowerment Center. Provided photo.