This bill proposes changes to the public high school graduation requirements in the state by introducing a new criterion for students to achieve a minimum competency score on the statewide assessment administered in high school. Specifically, to graduate, a student must earn at least a 25th percentile score on the statewide assessment in English language arts and mathematics given in high school. If a student fails to meet this minimum competency requirement, they may receive an educational assistance plan to help them achieve the necessary skills and knowledge. Parents or guardians will have the opportunity to review this remedial plan but will not have the right to contest it or claim educational malpractice if the student does not reach the competency level.

The bill also amends the existing law to allow the use of the College Board SAT or ACT college readiness assessment to satisfy the high school assessment requirements. It specifies that the results of the statewide assessment may be included in a student's transcript to verify that they have fulfilled the graduation requirement for minimum competency. Additionally, the bill outlines that students who are exempted from the assessment by a parent or legal guardian must not be penalized, nor should the school district be penalized for a lower participation rate. However, a student must satisfy the minimum competency requirements to earn a high school diploma. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and the fiscal note indicates that there will be additional costs to the state and potentially indeterminable costs to local school districts to implement these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186:8