Lawmaker Files Bill To Pause School Grades

March 3, 2014

One of the leading Senate Democrats on education has filed a bill proposing a sweeping overhaul of the state’s school accountability system, though the measure faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Montford of Tallahassee, would pause the school grading system for three years. Also, a state test could not be the “sole determiner” of whether students graduate or get promoted to the next grade over the same time frame. The proposal comes after years of controversy about the state’s grading system and as Education Commissioner Pam Stewart faces a decision on a new test to measure student learning under the revised version of the Common Core State Standards currently being implemented.

“Florida’s accountability system is no longer credible in the eyes of the public — from the adoption of new standards, the selection of a new assessment, to the awarding of school grades,” Montford said in a statement. The bill would also alter the state’s performance-pay law, approved by the Legislature in 2011, by lowering the portion of a teacher’s evaluation that has to be based on test results from 50 percent to 30 percent. Another 20 percent would be based on other measures of a teacher’s performance. And it would delay for three years — from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2017 — the date when new employees are required to enter the state’s performance-pay system.

A companion bill is planned in the House. Montford also serves as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. Local districts and teachers have pushed the state to pause the accountability system for at least three years while the new standards and tests take effect.

by The News Service of Florida

Comments

5 Responses to “Lawmaker Files Bill To Pause School Grades”

  1. No Excuses on March 4th, 2014 6:39 pm

    I am in full agreement that one test score should NOT be the determining factor to judge a student’s success or lack thereof. I think that a portfolio system would work well, going hand in hand with quarterly and yearly assessment testing for each student. If the student does not test well, they they can at least prove by documenting tasks in the portfolio that they have mastery of a subject. One test should not be the determining factor for school grades or student progress. It’s not a full picture of what has been done with the student, or what the student can do. I think most teachers and personnel in the school system work their hardest to ensure student success, in spite of what some lawmakers consider good educational practice!

  2. Predra on March 3rd, 2014 10:10 pm

    I am starting to think vouchers are great. Our public school system is a joke. I notice a lot of children with learning disabilities being retained. I notice teachers think this will help but I wonder what doctors think since they are medical drs.

  3. Molino mom on March 3rd, 2014 7:31 pm

    I just wish that one test didn’t determine if my child passes a grade or not. I think the school system need to go off the every week test and a end of the quarter test and see if that student needs to be held back or just need tutoring after school, and all schools need to be given the extra funds to offer tutoring. What happened to “Leave no student behind?” I think they should talk to teacher (that teaches in a class room & doesn’t work behind a desk) that has worked with kids for over 10 years or more and see what they have to say and suggest about our children’s learning. Just saying

  4. Predra on March 3rd, 2014 2:14 pm

    Why not pass them. Holding a child back in 3rd grade cause of FCAT testing does nothing but increase the need for 3rd grade teachers.

  5. MIC on March 3rd, 2014 11:41 am

    Why grade at all. Just give them all a trophy and send them on to the next grade.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News