21st Century Diploma Project

A Florida high school diploma can’t get you into a Florida state university. Students can meet all of the requirements to earn a high school diploma but still not meet the minimum admission requirements to any state universities.

Goal

A more rigorous education will prepare Florida’s students – both those who are college-bound and those who are immediately entering the workforce after high school graduation – for the high wage jobs of the 21st century economy. The policies are based on recommendations by the American Diploma Project.

Solutions

Raise requirements, over time, to earn a high school diploma.

Require students to take Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
Require students to take Biology and either Chemistry or Physics.
Require students to take at least one online course.

Better prepare students for college and the workplace.

Require every high school to offer college preparatory courses in math, science, history, and English using Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Advanced International Certificate of Education or dual enrollment. Allow Florida Virtual School to fulfill this requirement resulting in no cost to school districts.

Improve assessment.

Establish a schedule for developing end-of-course exams in high school.
Require the FCAT to be administered online, which allows schools to give tests at the end of the year rather than two months before the end of school.

Bill Status

Legislation is currently making its way through the Florida Legislature. The status of the House and Senate bills is noted below:

HB 7053, Sponsored by Representative John Legg
- Passed House PreK-12 Policy Committee, 13-1.
- Passed House Full Appropriations Committee, 15-0
SB 4, Sponsored by Senator Nancy Detert
- Passed Senate PreK-12 Policy Committee, 6-2
- Passed Senate Ways & Means Committee, 15-8
- Passed Full Senate, 36-1
Signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist, 4/20/2010