Highlights:
- Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill removing the mandate to pass Algebra 1 and 10th-grade English tests for graduation
- The measure shifts focus from high-stakes testing to performance-based progress monitoring
- Testing will count as 30% of course grades rather than a graduation barrier
- Third-grade promotion exemptions will be expanded for struggling readers
- The bill awaits action in the Florida House
Senate Votes to End Mandatory Testing for Diplomas
In a unanimous 37-0 vote, the Florida Senate has approved legislation that would eliminate the requirement for high school students to pass Algebra 1 and Grade 10 English Language Arts assessments to graduate.
The bill (SB 166), led by Senate Education Pre-K-12 Chairman Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee), marks a dramatic departure from decades of standardized testing as the central measure of student achievement in Florida.
“If all they [students] learn how to do is take a test, then I think we have failed in our education system,” said Simon, signaling a broader vision for student success.
Addressing Student Anxiety and Testing Pressure
Proponents argue that high-stakes tests put undue stress on students and shift the focus away from meaningful learning. “Eliminating high-stakes testing for graduation… will go a long way in helping our students,” said Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac), in support of the measure.
Simon emphasized that students who underperform on a single test due to anxiety or other challenges shouldn’t be held back if their long-term academic record shows success. “Some of our kids just struggle with tests,” he added.
Find out more: Major Differences Between a GED and a High School Diploma
Changes to Graduation and Promotion Policies
Under the proposed changes, the English Language Arts exam would count as 30% of a student’s course grade—similar to the current Algebra 1 policy—instead of being a graduation requirement.
For third-grade students, the legislation also expands “good cause exemptions,” allowing promotion to the next grade level even if they fail the reading exam, provided they passed two of three progress monitoring assessments during the school year.
Students facing academic pressure can explore 5 ways to drop out of high school stress-free and consider a high school equivalency option like the GED.
A Shift from Test-Centered Policy
Since 1998, Florida’s education system has leaned heavily on standardized tests for accountability, championed by former Governor Jeb Bush. However, this legislation follows a recent transition to a “progress monitoring” approach approved in 2022, where students are assessed three times annually rather than with a single, high-stakes exam.
“What we’ve currently been doing, we’ve just been testing our kids… If 98% of our teachers are effective or highly effective, but only 53% of our kids are reading on grade level, there’s a problem,” Simon stated.
Check out our detailed guide on GED in Florida for alternative education paths
Opposition and House Uncertainty
While the Senate showed unified support, the bill’s fate in the House remains unclear. There is currently no House companion bill, though the measure aligns with Senate President Ben Albritton’s legislative priorities and could become a key issue in House-Senate negotiations.
Not all are convinced the bill is a step forward. Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, criticized the move: “Reducing high school graduation requirements and weakening the state’s fourth grade promotion policy isn’t the way to get there.”
The bill now heads to the House and, if passed, will require Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature to become law.
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