analysis of special session in Fla.

Thought I would post some interesting things as a result of the special session changes that affect our kids in Fla. any comments?
Our housebill on accomodations died,but looks like they are going to put pressure on districts to make sure ESE kids meet proficiency levels,targeted at 3rd grade. Bless those kids hearts.

10th Grade FCAT Scores
· The bill requires a student to earn the score on the Grade 10 Florida Comprehensive
Assessment Test (FCAT) that was required for high school graduation at the time the
student first attempted the test.
· The bill requires school districts to notify parents of students with disabilities when
classroom accommodations cannot be made on the FCAT. The bill requires parental
consent for these accommodations to be made in the classroom

.Public School Student Progression
· The bill requires retention of students whose reading deficiency is not remedied by the
third grade, as demonstrated by scoring at Level 2 or higher on the third grade reading
portion of the FCAT. Prior to third grade, students identified as having a substantial
reading deficiency must be given intensive reading instruction.
· The bill requires that academic improvement plan describe specific areas of deficiency in,
for example, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary; and
address the desired levels of performance in these areas as well as the support services
required to meet the desired levels of performance.
· The bill also requires that the parent of a student with a substantial reading deficiency be
notified in writing of the current services that are provided to the student; the proposed
supplemental remedial; and the mandatory 3rd grade retention requirement.
· The bill outlines good cause exemptions for these students: Limited English proficient
students who have had less than two years of instruction in an English for Speakers of
Other Languages program; those with disabilities whose individual education plan (IEP)
indicates that participation in the statewide assessments is not appropriate; those who
demonstrate an acceptable level of performance on an alternative standardized reading
assessment approved by the State Board of Education; those who demonstrate, through a
student portfolio, the mastery of the Sunshine State Standards in reading equal to a Level
2 performance on the FCAT; students with disabilities who were previously retained in
K, 1st, or 2nd grade, who participate in the FCAT and whose IEP or 504 plan shows a
remaining deficiency after intensive remediation in reading for more than two years; and
students who have received the intensive remediation in reading for two or more years
but still demonstrate a deficiency or who were previously retained in kindergarten, grade
1, or grade two for a total of two years.
· The bill requires that good cause exemptions follow a procedure of documentation
beginning with the teacher who reports to the principal who in turn reviews the
recommendation. After such review, the principal makes a recommendation to the
superintendent who either rejects or accepts it. Each step of this process must be in
writing.
· The bill gives the State Board of Education authority to enforce these provisions by
requiring that districts submit relevant data, allowing the Commission of Education to
BILL: CS/SB 2-D Page 16
investigate noncompliance, ordering compliance within a specified timeframe, and
withholding funds in the event of continued noncompliance.