FL H1025

Parents or guardians may request that K-5 public school students be retained for the 2021-2022 school year in their grade level for academic reasons, notwithstanding s. 1008.25, Florida Statutes.

Retention requests must be submitted in writing to the school principal by June 30, 2021, specifying academic reasons; principals may consider late requests at their discretion.

School principals must inform teachers of retention requests, discuss the request with parents/guardians, and disclose that retention may impact the student's eligibility for high school interscholastic or intrascholastic sports due to age.

As alternatives to retention, the principal, teachers, and parent/guardian may develop a customized 1-year education plan including supplemental support, summer education, or midyear promotion; the parent's or guardian's decision regarding promotion or retention shall control.

For retained students with an IEP, the IEP team must convene to review and revise the plan as appropriate, and school districts must report the number of retained students to the Department of Education by June 30, 2022.