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SB 342

Relating to: coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Carpenter and 9 co-sponsors

SB 342 mandates Florida to develop multilingual standardized assessments for K-12 students, ensuring equitable opportunities for English learners and students with disabilities.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 342

Summary of SB 342 - Statewide, Standardized Assessments

Bill Number: SB 342
Introduced: November 04, 2025
Status: Filed
Sponsor: Senator Arrington
Classification: Bill
Subject: K-12 Education

Purpose and Intent

SB 342 aims to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of Florida's statewide standardized assessments for students, particularly those who are English language learners and students with disabilities. The bill mandates the development of assessments in multiple languages and establishes guidelines for their implementation, ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to demonstrate their academic abilities.

Key Provisions

  1. Development of Multilingual Assessments:

    • The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is required to create versions of statewide standardized assessments in the three most prevalent languages among English language learners by the 2027-2028 school year.
    • The DOE must establish criteria for when assessments in languages other than English are appropriate.

  2. Parental Rights:

    • Parents of English language learners can prohibit their children from taking assessments in languages other than English.

  3. Action Plan and Timetable:

    • The DOE must develop a timetable and action plan for the implementation of these multilingual assessments.

  4. Assessment Accommodations:

    • The bill amends existing statutes to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations during assessments.
    • It specifies that if a student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) indicates that standardized assessments cannot accurately measure their abilities, the assessment results may be waived for course grades and high school diplomas.

  5. Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring:

    • The bill also amends the requirements for the statewide coordinated screening and progress monitoring system, ensuring it measures student progress in early literacy and mathematics, and identifies educational strengths and needs.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Students: All public school students, particularly English language learners and students with disabilities, will benefit from the proposed changes.
  • Parents: Parents will have increased involvement in their children's assessment processes, particularly regarding language preferences.
  • Educators: Teachers and school administrators will need to adapt to new assessment tools and guidelines.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was filed on November 04, 2025, and is currently in the legislative process.
  • The effective date of the provisions will be determined upon passage.

Conclusion

SB 342 represents a significant step towards making Florida's educational assessments more inclusive and accessible. By requiring the development of multilingual assessments and providing accommodations for students with disabilities, the bill seeks to ensure that all students can effectively participate in the state's educational assessment programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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