Bill Text: FL S0258 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Student Assessment in Public Schools

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-07 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration [S0258 Detail]

Download: Florida-2011-S0258-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2011                                     SB 258
       
       
       
       By Senator Bullard
       
       
       
       
       39-00104-11                                            2011258__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to student assessment in public
    3         schools; terminating the administration of the Florida
    4         Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to students in
    5         grades 9 through 12; requiring that the Preliminary
    6         SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
    7         (PSAT/NMSQT) replace the grade 10 FCAT for purposes of
    8         measuring a student’s knowledge and skills; requiring
    9         that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 10;
   10         requiring that students earn passing scores on the
   11         PSAT/NMSQT to qualify for a standard high school
   12         diploma; requiring that the State Board of Education
   13         designate passing scores; requiring the use of student
   14         performance on the PSAT/NMSQT for school grading
   15         purposes; providing for application beginning with
   16         students entering grade 9 in the 2012-2013 school
   17         year; providing an effective date.
   18  
   19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   20  
   21         Section 1. Notwithstanding ss. 1003.428, 1003.429, 1003.43,
   22  and 1008.22, Florida Statutes, and any other provision of law to
   23  the contrary, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
   24  shall not be administered to students in grades 9 through 12.
   25  The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
   26  (PSAT/NMSQT) shall replace the grade 10 FCAT for purposes of
   27  measuring a student’s knowledge and skills in reading,
   28  mathematics, and writing. The PSAT/NMSQT shall be taken by
   29  students in grade 10 to provide teachers and students with
   30  feedback on a student’s strengths and weaknesses and shall be
   31  used as practice and preparation for the SAT Reasoning Test
   32  (SAT) for students who will take the SAT as part of the college
   33  admission process. Students must earn a passing score on the
   34  PSAT/NMSQT in reading, mathematics, and writing in order to
   35  qualify for a standard high school diploma. The State Board of
   36  Education shall designate a passing score for each section of
   37  the PSAT/NMSQT which is aligned to the Next Generation Sunshine
   38  State Standards and demonstrates the proficiency level required
   39  for high school graduation. If a required passing score is
   40  raised by the State Board of Education, the passing score shall
   41  apply only to students taking the PSAT/NMSQT for the first time
   42  after such designation. For purposes of the public school
   43  grading system under ss. 1008.34 and 1008.341, Florida Statutes,
   44  student performance on the PSAT/NMSQT shall be used in place of
   45  student performance on the FCAT, as applicable. The provisions
   46  of this section apply to public school students entering grade 9
   47  in the 2012-2013 school year and thereafter.
   48         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.