Florida may stop holding back third-grade students who fare badly on the state's 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.
