Education Commissioner Wants FCAT Bar Raised

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – The state is considering raising the bar for students who have to take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson has recommended that the score needed to pass the FCAT be raised to ensure students leave high school college and career ready.

If the change is approved, the passing score for reading on the FCAT would be set at 240 for 9th grade and 245 for 10th. Those scores are two points higher than what many district superintendents have recommended.

The Board of Education will vote on the change Dec. 19.

In a call with reporters, Deputy Education Commissioner Kris Ellington noted that if students don't pass the exam in the 10th grade, they still have two more years to try and pass. She said the goal is to reduce college remediation rates.

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