Feds Want Data on Bright Futures Recipients, FairTest Officials Say
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

April 1, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - There are new developments in the federal investigation into Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship program.

Earlier this week, a group against the misuse of standardized tests had a call with the U.S. Department of Education about Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship program.

FairTest, the group that filed the original complaint in 2002, says that by having a cut-off limit for SAT and ACT test scores, the scholarship program is discriminating against Hispanic and African American students.

A 2013 internal study by the University of South Florida Office of Admissions found that the new Fall 2014 Bright Futures requirements with tougher SAT and ACT benchmarks would most heavily impact Hispanic and African-American students.

The now 12-year-long investigation appears to be picking up steam. FairTest officials say federal investigators are starting to look at data about Bright Futures recipients from 8 major school districts- including Osceola and Orange counties.