Senator Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, has filed an amendment that would effectively pause 3rd grade retention, remediation, graduation decisions and school grading until the Florida can ensure the tests are valid. The amendment (read here) will be heard in committee Thursday when SB 616 reaches its final committee stop. House and Senate leaders have refused to pause school grades so far.
The Alliance and parents across the state have pushed legislators to give students some relief from penalties associated with this year’s test. They have already given districts a break from the penalties tied to school grades for one year. Some districts, including Orange County, have given its teachers relief from the scores in their professional evaluations. However, there has been no break given to children. Senator Hays’ amendment would fix that.
