Senators push for relaxed academic requirements in some K-12 grades; but is that good or bad?

As the legislative session approaches, Florida senators are looking to reform public education by allowing more parental control over students passing third grade and eliminating some high school graduation requirements, among other measures.

Sen. Corey Simon, who serves many north Florida counties, the sponsor of the “Deregulation of Public Schools/Assessment and Accountability, Instruction, and Education Choice” bill, defended his legislation from criticisms in public comment that it would water down academic standards and the value of a high school diploma.

The proposed bill would significantly impact high school students by removing the requirement to pass the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam and Grade 10 English Language Arts assessment to earn a diploma.

Nathan Hoffman, a senior legislative director for the Foundation for Florida’s Future, said his nonprofit is concerned about removing such requirements for graduation.