Although the Florida Department of Education released specific details about testing and other waivers, it was still unclear whether the Class of 2020 would receive a diploma if they lacked certain graduation requirements. Florida requires Algebra I and the 10th grade FSA in order to graduate. Seniors who lack these scores usually have additional time throughout the spring to re-test and satisfy those conditions often through achieving certain SAT or ACT scores.
The Tampa Bay Times requested additional clarification from the state. This is what they were told:
Current seniors who have yet to meet their assessment requirement do not have to take either the grade 10 FSA ELA or the Algebra 1 end of course exam,” department spokeswoman Taryn Fenske said via email.
They will graduate with a diploma, as their remaining chances to complete the expectation before commencement have been suspended.
As for others in the algebra and sophomore language arts courses, it’s less well defined. The state will not count the algebra — or any other — end-of-course exam toward the final grade, despite the law saying it makes up 30 percent of the total.
The Department is waiving the requirement for non-senior students who are currently enrolled in a course that requires an EOC to take the associated EOC.
It is important to note, all other classes must satisfy the graduation requirements including the 10th grade FSA and Algebra I End of Course Exam even though these tests will not be administered this year.
“However, non-seniors who have yet to pass the Grade 10 FSA ELA must still meet the exit criteria by passing that assessment during a future administration or earning a concordant score.
“Though non-senior students enrolled in the EOC course of Algebra 1 are not required to take the Algebra 1 EOC, they must still meet the mathematics assessment graduation requirement by either passing the Algebra 1 EOC (offered four times each year) during a future administration, earning a concordant score, or passing the Geometry EOC during a future administration.”
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