CS/CS/HB 773 - Education Bill Summary

• Eliminates Algebra II EOC requirement for standard high school diploma; removes requirement to pass Algebra II assessment for Scholar designation, though students may still elect to take it.

• Expands online course options for diploma requirement by allowing completion through blended learning courses, industry certification exams, or online content assessments as alternatives to traditional online courses.

• Modifies assessment administration and reporting including transition to English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, revised testing schedules for grades 3-6 (paper-based format starting 2018-2019), and requires Department of Education to publish assessments and assessment materials online.

• Reforms educator certification and professional development by creating professional development certification programs for charter schools and districts, allowing alternative paths to professional certification, and requiring reading instruction training for K-6 teachers renewing certificates.

• Adjusts virtual instruction eligibility to allow all students (including homeschooled and private school students) to participate in virtual instruction options, and authorizes high-performing charter schools to establish multiple schools annually when serving persistently low-performing school areas.