FL H0461

Terminates administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to students in grades 9 through 12 effective with students entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 school year.

Replaces the grade 10 FCAT with the PSAT/NMSQT (taken in grade 10) or ACT's EXPLORE and PLAN tests (taken in grades 9 and 10 respectively) to measure student knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics, and writing.

Requires students to earn passing scores on the PSAT/NMSQT or ACT's EXPLORE and PLAN tests to qualify for a standard high school diploma.

Directs the State Board of Education to designate passing scores for each section of the replacement tests aligned to Next Generation Sunshine State Standards; any increased passing scores apply only to first-time test takers after the new designation.

Requires student performance on the replacement tests to be used in place of FCAT results for public school grading system purposes.