TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Education Commissioner Gerard Robinsonis recommending the state raise the score needed to pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Robinson said Thursday the higher scores will ensure students
leave high school college and career ready.

If the change is approved, the passing score for reading on the
FCAT would be set at 240 for 9th grade and 245 for 10th. Those
scores are two points higher than what many district superintendents have recommended.

The Board of Education will vote on the change Dec. 19. In a call with reporters, Deputy Education Commissioner Kris Ellington noted that if students don't pass the exam in the 10th grade, they still have two more years to try and pass. She said the goal is to reduce college remediation rates.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)