FL S0878

Requires State Board of Education to notify Legislature of major changes in federal law affecting the K-20 education performance accountability system.

Establishes "Research Engine," a restricted-access web-based component of the K-20 data warehouse for organizations and authorized representatives to request student-level data for studies, audits, and evaluations by June 30, 2014.

Requires all public educational institutions and colleges receiving state funds to annually report student-level data to the K-20 data warehouse in formats prescribed by the Department of Education, with specific reporting deadlines beginning December 31, 2013.

Modifies school grading requirements to use a minimum sample size of 10 tested students and adds provisions for colocated schools to have aggregated performance data; revises alternative school improvement ratings and student report card requirements.

Authorizes Department of Education to share K-20 data warehouse data with external organizations and authorized representatives under FERPA's studies and audit exceptions, with written agreements establishing data security, confidentiality protections, and potential penalties up to $1,000 for violations.