Graduation Requirements

To earn a high school diploma, students must have credits (18 or 24), a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, and earn specific testing requirements. The Florida Department of Education requires specific exams and scores. These exams are designed to showcase mastery of concepts learned throughout the school year and are required graduation requirements.

Testing Notifications: Printed rosters posted in hallways, personal invitations, informational parent letters, student emails, parent emails, and recorded messages are communications methods to share important testing requirements. Please check parent and student email accounts often for required testing notifications.

For information regarding test session lengths and other information about the assessments, see the “Guides and Schedules” tab on the Students & Families page: https://fsassessments.org/families.html. If you (or your child) would like to review or explore the computer-based platform at home, practice tests and answer keys are available at https://fsassessments.org/families.html (Sign in as a Guest User).

Your child will take one or more of the computer-based B.E.S.T. Algebra 1/Biology 1/B.E.S.T. Geometry/U.S. History End-of-Course (EOC) assessment(s) and/or FAST ELA Reading Retake beginning May 11th. The B.E.S.T. Algebra 1, Biology 1, B.E.S.T. Geometry, and U.S. History EOC assessments are each administered in one 160-minute session, but students may work up to the length of a typical school day. The FAST ELA Reading/Retake is administered in one 120-minute session, and students may work up to the length of a typical school day. Testing begins at 9am

To explore the computer-based platform at home, practice tests and answer keys are available at https://fsassessments.org/families.html (Sign in as a Guest User). Recommended to use the online calculator.

Please review the following policies with your child before testing:

  • Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. If your child is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated. Students may not wear smart glasses during statewide testing, even if they are prescription glasses. Students with prescription smart glasses will need to remove them or test another day with standard glasses.
  • Calculators: For B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 and Geometry EOC assessments, a handheld scientific calculator may be used. For Biology 1 EOC, a handheld four-function calculator may be used.
  • Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All FSA tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by clicking the box in the secure browser indicating they understand the testing rules.
  • Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they click the box to accept the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states: “Because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, you may not discuss or reveal details about the test items or prompts after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to social media”. Please make sure your child understands that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.
  • Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.
  • Leaving Campus—If your child leaves campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test session. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.
  • Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or recently exited ELL, testing accommodations will be provided for your child.
  • Testing Irregularities— If a testing irregularity occurs in your student’s testing room, as part of a school investigation, your child may be asked questions to provide information about the incident. In addition, your child may need to retake the test if a suspected irregularity is reported that may affect the validity of the test results.

Thank you for supporting and encouraging your child to do their best during this test administration.