HB 1341 Summary

• Discontinues use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and replaces it with subject area assessments for grades 3-5, end-of-course assessments for grades 6-12, and diagnostic assessments for grades 6, 8, and 10.

• Revises high school graduation requirements to base successful overall academic performance on end-of-course assessments, grade point average, student portfolios, and other measurable indicators rather than solely on FCAT scores.

• Requires schools to provide remediation and intervention services to students not meeting grade-level performance expectations, and changes grade 3 retention from mandatory to discretionary (with principal approval).

• Renames the Florida School Recognition Program to the "Every Child Matters Program" and redirects funds toward remediation and intervention services for low-performing students instead of performance bonuses.

• Establishes a task force to develop high school graduation standards for career-track students and creates an assessment alignment committee to develop new assessment standards and school grading formulas to take effect in the 2015-2016 school year.