The Florida Department of Education is issuing grades just before the start of Winter break. The agency released high school grades Friday, and more high schools are earning top marks.

The Florida Department of Education says almost half of Florida's high school earned an A on the state report card. That's an improvement from last year, when just 1 in 3 high school earned an A.
Just 3 high schools earned an 'F' grade, down from 6 last year.

State officials say the grades are good news, but to be careful comparing this year's grades to last year's. That's because Board of Education rule changes kept some school grades from dropping further.

For instance, school's weren't penalized if their lowest-performing students didn't improve on state testing this year.

The state also graded special education centers for the first time, with 10 schools earning an 'F.'