TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - High school seniors who had to retake the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test's reading and math sections did a bit better this year, but most still failed and won't be able to get a standard diploma.

To graduate, students must pass both parts of the 10th grade FCAT or achieve certain levels on SAT or ACT college entrance tests. If they fail the FCAT exams they can retake them in the 11th and 12th grades.

Education officials say this year only 16 percent of the 24,069 seniors retaking the reading test passed. That's up from 15 percent last year.

Thirty-two percent of 9,971 seniors retaking the math test passed, an increase from 26 percent last year.

Reading and math scores for third through 10th grade may be released as early as next week.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)