1. Standardized Testing As means of graduation By: StephanyNuñez

2. Purpose • To have an alternative to the FCAT for graduation in the state of Florida.

3. Method • Look at the different requirements that other states have for graduation and use them as ideas for alternatives to the FCAT in Florida.

4. Florida’s Graduation Requirements • Three Graduation Programs: • 24 credits: Passing scores on the Grade 10 FCAT or scores on a standardized test that are concordant with the passing scores on the FCAT (ACT or SAT). Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. • 18 credits: Passing scores on the Grade 10 FCAT or scores on a standardized test that are concordant with the passing scores on the FCAT (ACT or SAT). Cumulative weighted GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in required courses and a weighted or un-weighted grade that earns at least 3.0 points or its equivalent in each of the 18 required credits. • 18 credits: Passing scores on the Grade 10 FCAT or scores on a standardized test that are concordant with the passing scores on the FCAT (ACT or SAT). Cumulative weighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in required courses and a weighted or un-weighted grade that earns at least 2.0 points or its equivalent in each of the 18 required credits.

5. Washington’s Graduation Requirements • Earn high school credit • Required 19 credits • Complete a High School and Beyond Plan • A student’s plan should include the classes needed in preparation for a 2- or 4-year college, vocational or technical school, certificate program or the workforce. • Complete a Culminating Project • This integrated learning project helps students understand the connection between school and the real world. Some Samples include a portfolio collection, studying topics of interest, engaging in meaningful career internships, or developing in-depth projects to name a few. • Pass state tests showing achievement in basic skills OR complete state-approved alternatives to those tests

6. State Tests OR State-Approved Alternatives • Earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement or Certificate of Individual Achievement: • The certificates tell families, schools, businesses and colleges that an individual student has mastered a minimum set of skills by graduation. Students earn the Certificate of Academic Achievement by meeting state reading, writing and math standards on the High School Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or on one of the Certificate of Academic Achievement Options (state-approved alternatives to the WASL). Students in special education programs who are unable to take the High School WASL can earn the Certificate of Individual Achievement by demonstrating their skills through a portfolio or a WASL designed for a different grade level. Until 2013, students can still earn a diploma without one of the certificates if they: • Meet the state's reading and writing standards, and • Earn math credits and test annually until graduation.

7. Proposal • To give those students who have shown academic achievement in all of their courses, but have not passed the FCAT, the opportunity to have an alternative for graduation.

8. Works Cited • (2007, Oct). Three Graduation Programs. Retrieved March 12, 2009, from Florida's Guide to Public High School Graduation Web site: http://www.fldoe.org/APlusPlus/pdf/MAJORSGuideHSGraduation2007.pdf • Graduation Requirements. Retrieved March 12, 2009, from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: State of Washington Web site: http://www.k12.wa.us/default.aspx