Florida plans to move its 10th grade science test to the 11th grade, starting in spring 2005, officials said last week.
State Commissioner of Edu cation John L. Winn said in an Oct. 5 letter to lawmakers that students would be better prepared to take the science test after they had taken more science classes.
Currently, students take the science portion of the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test for data-gathering purposes only. But starting with the 2007-08 tests, the science scores will count toward letter grades for schools that the state uses to determine teacher bonuses and state sanctions for low-scoring schools.
The science test isn’t used to determine high school graduation, unlike the state’s math and English exams.
