English, Algebra Graduation Requirements – Pictured: Students Running at School: Shutterstock — Monkey Business Images
Florida’s West Palm Beach — Florida’s public high school graduation criteria are about to be changed by a new legislative plan that would do away with the need for pupils to pass English and algebra tests in order to graduate.
High school students in Florida are currently required to pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) exam or receive a comparable score, in addition to passing the statewide, standardized grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) exam or achieving a concordant score. The purpose of these tests is to make sure that before they graduate, students have learned the fundamentals of algebra and English.
By eliminating these requirements, SB 166, which was introduced on February 19, would enable students to receive their degrees based on their coursework and general academic achievement rather than on the results of certain standardized tests.
What the Bill Does
The modifications made to the law are intended to provide students greater freedom so they can focus on their studies and other requirements for graduation without having to worry about passing these particular tests. However, without these standardized tests, there are questions about whether students will be sufficiently equipped for work at the college level.
In an effort to streamline the graduation process and lessen the focus on standardized testing, the plan is in line with other graduation pathways that prioritize curriculum and skills above test scores.
The following committees have approved SB 166 with success:
- Learning The Pre-K–12 Committee voted 7 in favor and 0 against on March 3.
- The Pre-K–12 Education Appropriations Committee voted 9 in favor and 0 against on March 11.
The elimination of these regulations is not the only goal of the measure. The 107-page plan aims to improve the overall effectiveness of school operations by decreasing administrative burdens, simplifying procedures, and amending several portions of the Florida Statutes.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
