FL S0420

Eliminates administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to students in grades 9 through 12, effective with students entering grade 9 in the 2011-2012 school year.

Replaces grade 10 FCAT with the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to measure student knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics, and writing.

Requires students to earn passing scores on the PSAT/NMSQT in all three sections to qualify for a standard high school diploma, with the State Board of Education designating specific passing scores aligned to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Uses student performance on the PSAT/NMSQT in place of FCAT performance for purposes of the public school grading system.

Provides that any increase to passing scores by the State Board of Education applies only to first-time test takers after the new designation.