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Florida May No Longer Hold Back 3rd Graders Who Fail Test

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida may end the state's practice of holding back third-grade students who fail standardized tests.

A Senate panel on Wednesday agreed to suspend the policy until the state's new standardized test is independently validated. The state this year switched to a new test that replaced the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Senators included the provision in a major testing bill (SB 616) that is moving this session. They also agreed to suspend a graduation requirement until the test is validated.

Florida has been holding back third graders who fail the main standardized test since 1999. The retention policy was a key part of the A+ education law pushed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush has been touting his education policies as he prepares for a likely bid for president.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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