District Newsroom

For Immediate Release 

June 26, 2026 

Volusia County Schools Sees Continued Growth in 2026 State Spring Assessment Results 

DELAND—The Florida Department of Education has released the results of the 2026 spring assessments, including Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) reading and math scores, statewide science assessment scores, and end-of-course exam scores in all other subjects. The 2025-26 school year was the fourth year that the FAST progress monitoring system has been implemented. 

Volusia County Schools is pleased to share the following highlights across all subject areas: 

• Volusia County Schools increased ELA achievement in every tested grade level, grades 3–10, and surpassed the state average in Grade 3 ELA at 61%. 

• Volusia County Schools increased or maintained Math achievement in every tested grade level, grades 3–8, and surpassed the state average in Grade 4 Math at 66%. 

• Algebra 1 achievement increased by 7 percentage points, from 54% in 2025 to 61% in 2026. 

• Middle school Geometry achievement increased to 96%, and seven of twelve schools had 100% of middle school Geometry students score Level 3 or higher. 

• Grade 5 and Grade 8 Science were both 4 percentage points above the state average. 

• Biology 1 achievement was 4 percentage points above the state average, and all 10 traditional high schools maintained or increased Biology achievement. 

• Eight of the 10 traditional high schools in Volusia County increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in U.S. History. 

• Volusia County Schools increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in both Civics and U.S. History by 3 percentage points. 

Additionally, VCS is proud to share the following accomplishments in comparison to 10 other districts in the Central Florida Coalition of Schools (CFC) and state averages: 

• Volusia County Schools had the highest year-over-year increase in Grade 10 ELA achievement among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools had the highest two-year increase in Grade 9 ELA achievement among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools had the highest year-over-year increase in Grade 6 Math achievement among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools had the largest two-year increase in Grade 5 Math achievement among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools had the second highest Grade 5 Math achievement score across all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools had the second largest year-over-year increase in Algebra 1 achievement among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

• Volusia County Schools’ Geometry achievement increased by 6 percentage points over the past two years, the second largest increase among all Central Florida Coalition districts. 

"We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made. These improved FAST reading and math scores, along with gains in science and end-of-course exams, are more than numbers to us. They represent real children growing in confidence, real classrooms filled with curiosity, and real educators pouring their hearts into teaching every single day," Superintendent Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin said. "Our students, teachers, and staff worked extremely hard for these results, and our families, Volusia County School Board members, and community stood right beside them. In Volusia County Schools, we believe in the power of collective effort, and today’s data shows that belief in action. We will continue building on this momentum so every child in our district has the opportunity to thrive academically and beyond." 

Official school and district grades from the Florida Department of Education are expected to be released later this summer. 

*The Department of Education identifies “proficiency” as scoring a Level 3 or above out of 5. 

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Volusia County Schools’ vision is to create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society. The VCS Strategic Plan: www.vcsedu.org/strategic-plan.                                 

Media Contact: 

Mike Micallef, Chief Communications Officer 

Community Information Services 

Volusia County Schools 386-734-7190