FL S1496

Replace the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards with district-selected standards chosen from a state-approved list including pre-2009 standards from California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Texas, and Minnesota for English Language Arts and mathematics.

Prohibit the Department of Education and district school boards from entering into agreements that cede or limit state or district control over academic content standards and assessments, and require amendment or termination of any existing agreements that violate this requirement.

Replace statewide standardized assessments with district-selected national norm-referenced assessments administered annually in grades 3-8 and once at high school level, with paper-and-pencil administration and the Commissioner determining percentile scores corresponding to achievement levels.

Require parental written consent for students to participate in instruction on family definition, family values, reproductive methods, health, and sexually transmitted diseases; allow exemptions for students with severe cognitive impairment, medical complexity, or parental written request.

Revise school grading system to base grades on district-selected assessment results in English Language Arts and mathematics, learning gains, and for high schools add teacher turnover rates, portfolio assessments, enrichment classes, and extracurricular activities; effective July 1, 2015.