The state Department of Education and the Florida Education Association have asked a federal judge to approve a 15.5 million-dollar settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the “Best and Brightest” teacher-bonus program discriminated against black and Hispanic teachers. The Florida Education Association said the use of the SAT and ACT scores in ranking the teachers had a disparate impact on black, Hispanic and older teachers. Under the settlement, money will go to black and Hispanic classroom teachers who were rated as highly effective but did not receive Best and Brightest bonuses.