A bill that would alter current high school graduation requirements and allow students to swap industry-approved classes and tests for traditional high school versions unanimously passed the Senate’s education appropriations committee this morning.
Under the bill — championed by Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville — students could substitute classes such as algebra 2 and chemistry for “rigorous” courses that lead to “industry certifications.” And they could earn diplomas without passing all four, must-pass exams now required for high school graduation.
The bill’s goal, lawmakers said, is to make sure students leave high school, and college, better prepared for jobs in decent-paying fields.
The House’s K-12 education subcommittee has also proposed a bill that would change high school graduation requirements, and it is to take its version up later today.
Both versions — though the House plan goes further — reduce the tough graduation requirements the Legislature put in place in 2010.
Since then, “new research has emerged questioning the one-size-fits all, college-only focus of many states’ graduation requirements,” wrote House staff in an analysis of that bill. It noted that many jobs don’t require college degrees.
That analysis also questioned, in particular, whether all students needed more than “basic math skills.” Under current law, students must take algebra 1, geometry and algebra 2 and must pass state tests in algebra 1 and geometry to earn diplomas.
“It’s time to realize college isn’t for everybody,” said Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, during this morning’s meeting. “It’s a great win, and it’s also a win for industry as they get better trained workers.”
And it’s not an effort to back track, said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, who also leads the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
“This is not a watering down of our curriculum. It’s not a watering down of our graduation requirements,” he said.
Many superintendents have argued the 2010 requirements are too strict and push all students, unfairly, onto a university-bound track.
“Our students throughout Florida will be much better served when this bill is passed,” Montford said.”They’ll leave school with skills that are desperately needed.”
