TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The state Board of Education has approved a new set of passing scores for Florida's standardized test.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the scores needed to pass the revised Florida Comprehensive Test during a conference call on Monday.

Following Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson's recommendations, the score needed to pass the FCAT 10th grade reading exam will now be 245 points. That is slightly higher than what a panel of education and community leaders had recommended.

Scores were set for the math and reading sections of the exam for grade levels three through 10.

Education officials say the new scores will help ensure students are prepared for college and a career. Some are concerned the scores are being set too high and that more children will fail.