The bill amends sections 1008.22 and 1008.25 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the accessibility of statewide standardized assessments and the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system for English language learners. It mandates the Department of Education to develop versions of these assessments in the three most prevalent languages among English language learners by the 2027-2028 school year. Additionally, the department is required to establish criteria for the appropriate use of these assessments in languages other than English and to create a timetable and action plan for their development and implementation. Parents of English language learners will have the authority to prohibit their children from taking assessments in a language other than English.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system to also be available in the three most prevalent languages by the same deadline. It emphasizes the need for the department to set criteria for when these written portions can be administered in languages other than English and allows parents to opt-out their children from such assessments. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 159 Filed: 1008.22, 1008.25