The "Schools Committed to Outstanding Results and Excellence (SCORE) Act" aims to improve educational accountability and support for students in Florida by amending various sections of Florida Statutes. Key provisions include the expansion of early warning systems to identify students in grades K-8 who require additional academic support, particularly in reading and mathematics. The bill mandates that K-12 report cards include performance metrics such as school grades and percentages of students meeting grade-level expectations. It also requires the administrator of the New Worlds Reading Initiative to create a diverse collection of books for classroom libraries and establish a competitive grant program for Title I schools. Additionally, the bill emphasizes timely parental notification for students with significant deficiencies and mandates targeted interventions.

The bill further enhances mathematics and reading instruction by ensuring that schools initiate intensive interventions for students with substantial deficiencies without waiting for failing grades. It introduces guidelines for identifying early mathematics skill deficiencies and mandates monitoring of students receiving additional support until they reach grade-level proficiency. The bill also outlines requirements for reading interventions for retained students, emphasizing evidence-based instruction and parental notification regarding retention. Notably, it removes provisions that would have imposed sanctions on schools with lower grades during the 2022-2023 school year and modifies criteria for grade 3 retention and high school graduation. The bill allows for the promotion of students to grade 4 based on reliable performance assessments and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions being repealed on that date.

Statutes affected:
H 1483 Filed: 1003.33
H 1483 c1: 1001.42, 1002.20, 1003.33