The Florida literacy exam, formally the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE), is a mandatory certification requirement for specific educational roles within the state. It is not a general assessment for students or all teachers. Understanding who needs to take the Florida literacy exam is critical for career advancement in Florida's K-12 system.
The following professionals are required to pass this examination:
- Aspiring School Principals: All candidates for educational leadership certification must successfully complete all subtests of the FELE as a non-negotiable credentialing step.
- Aspiring Assistant Principals: Similarly, certification for any assistant principal position is contingent upon passing the Florida literacy exam.
- Certain Instructional Leadership Roles: Educators seeking certification in other school-based leadership positions, as defined by the Florida Department of Education, are also subject to this requirement.
The mandate to take the Florida literacy exam applies regardless of an educator's experience or background. It is a standardized measure to ensure all candidates for these critical leadership positions possess a foundational understanding of literacy instruction, leadership competencies, and operational knowledge relevant to Florida's schools. Therefore, any educator planning a career path into formal administrative leadership must prepare for this specific assessment. Exemptions are exceedingly rare and determined solely by official state policy.