FL S0294

Removes the mandatory retention requirement for third grade students based solely on their English Language Arts assessment scores, effective July 1, 2018.

Allows students to be promoted to grade 4 if they either score Level 2 or higher on the statewide English Language Arts assessment or meet a good cause exemption.

Eliminates the requirement in parental notification that informs parents a child must be retained if reading deficiency is not remedied by end of grade 3, while keeping other intervention and support notification requirements.

Refocuses retention language to apply only to students actually retained for reading deficiencies, ensuring they receive intensive reading instruction, summer reading camps, and at least 90 minutes of daily reading instruction.

Clarifies that retained students may be promoted mid-year once they demonstrate reading proficiency, and requires highly effective teachers to provide instruction to retained students, with reading certification required for teachers beginning July 1, 2020.