Florida bill proposes removal of Algebra, English exam requirements for graduation

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A new legislative proposal is set to overhaul public high school graduation requirements in Florida by eliminating the necessity for students to pass Algebra and English exams to earn their diplomas.

Currently, Florida high school students must pass the statewide, standardized grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) assessment or achieve a concordant score, as well as pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) assessment or earn a comparative score. These assessments are intended to ensure students have mastered essential skills in English and mathematics before graduating.

SB 166 — filed on February 19 — proposes to remove these requirements, allowing students to earn their diplomas based on their coursework and overall academic performance, without needing specific standardized test scores.

What the Bill Does

The bill's changes aim to provide more flexibility for students, enabling them to concentrate on their coursework and other graduation requirements without the pressure of passing these specific exams. However, there are concerns about whether students will be adequately prepared for college-level work without these standardized assessments.

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The proposal aligns with other graduation pathways that emphasize coursework and skills over standardized test scores, aiming to simplify the graduation process and reduce the emphasis on standardized testing.

SB 166 has successfully passed through the following committees:

• Education Pre-K - 12 Committee: On March 3, the committee voted 7 Yeas - 0 Nays.
• Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education: On March 11, the committee voted 9 Yeas - 0 Nays.

The bill does not solely focus on the removal of these requirements. The 107-page proposal includes amendments to various sections of the Florida Statutes, focusing on reducing administrative burdens, streamlining processes, and enhancing the overall efficiency of school operations.

View the full bill here:

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