1. (1) Beginning with the 1997-1998 school year, each school district shall award a differentiated college-ready diploma to each student who:

   1. (a) Successfully completes the requirements for a standard high school diploma as prescribed by s. 232.246. Among courses taken to fulfill the 24-academic-credit requirement, a student must take:

      1. Two credits in algebra and one credit in geometry, or their equivalents, as determined by the state board.

      2. One credit in biology, one credit in chemistry, and one credit in physics, or their equivalents, as determined by the state board.

      3. Two credits in the same foreign language, taken for elective credit. A student whose native language is not English is exempt from this requirement if the student demonstrates proficiency in the native language. American sign language constitutes a foreign language.

   2. (b) Takes the postsecondary education common placement test prescribed in s. 240.117, or an equivalent test identified by the State Board of Education, before graduation and scores at or above the established statewide passing score in each test area.
2. (2) A college-ready diploma entitles a student to admission without placement testing to a public postsecondary education program that terminates in a technical certificate, an associate in science degree, or an associate in arts degree, if the student enters postsecondary education within 2 years after earning the college-ready diploma.
3. (3) The Department of Education shall convene a task force of educators and employers to recommend additional incentives for students to pursue a college-ready diploma. The incentives may include awards and recognition, preference for positions in firms, and early registration privileges in postsecondary education institutions.

History.--s. 6, ch. 97-246.