FL H0903

Suspends use of statewide standardized assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for student promotion, retention, graduation requirements, and personnel evaluations for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years.

Requires Grade 3 student promotion or retention decisions to be based on academic performance, report cards, and evidence of mastery of Florida's ELA standards rather than standardized test results.

Allows Grade 10 students to satisfy ELA graduation requirements by earning an appropriate concordant score on the SAT or ACT instead of the state assessment.

Holds school grades in abeyance for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years, using standardized assessment results only as an informational baseline; prevents schools from being required to implement turnaround options during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.

Directs State Board of Education to adopt and implement a new school grading system by July 1, 2017, that must be equitable, reliable, timely, rigorous, affordable, and include components representing academic standards, classroom instruction, technology, and assessments.