Congressional Members Ask Scott To Toss Some Standardized Test Results

July 2, 2015

Ten Florida members of Congress asked Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday not to allow the state’s new standardized test to be used for teacher evaluations, student promotion to the fourth grade or graduation, regardless of the results of an independent validation scheduled to be completed by September 1.

The letter, released by Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, was signed by eight other Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

“Even if the statutorily mandated independent evaluation due in September deems test questions valid, serious questions remain about whether the disruptive testing conditions rendered this test an unreliable tool for assessing student learning,” the letter says. “Children across the state suffered through blank screens, crashed servers, and repeated log outs. We cannot reasonably expect our children to perform well under these circumstances.”

The independent evaluation of the Florida Standards Assessments was approved by lawmakers as part of a broader testing bill (HB 7069) after the heavily-criticized rollout of the new exams. In addition to technical snafus, the testing platform was also struck by a cyber attack.

by The News Service of Florida


Comments

4 Responses to “Congressional Members Ask Scott To Toss Some Standardized Test Results”

  1. Bob C. on July 3rd, 2015 7:21 am

    Has always been my opinion that any school testing that the Legislature or governor mandate should be first taken by those two bodies politic.
    Perhaps once the tests are taken, graded/scored, and the results for each individual lawmaker and the governor are publicly posted we the people could then determine how much they should be paid and how many benefits ( entitlements ) they should receive.

  2. Gman on July 3rd, 2015 5:22 am

    As powerful as the teachers union is, I’m sure the test wont be used for teacher evaluation. Time will tell if the poor students will have to fend for themselves.

  3. Susan on July 2nd, 2015 1:24 pm

    Pencil and bubble sheets worked much better than the computer testing fiasco.
    FCAT has been around for a while time so it is time to pay another big business to come up with another means to get tax dollars. Keep your eye out for the Pearson Co. They are slurping up the government dollars from us like Pacman.

    I do not believe that computers should educated children but I do believe that children must be taught computer skills to be ready for work after graduation. I wish that I had more training.

  4. Mike on July 2nd, 2015 12:06 pm

    Instead of trying to get the computer to educate children, uh, let’s go back to good old pencil & paper. I know getting the good old computer to do your work for you might appeal to your lazy sensibilities, but the scenario described above is completely ridiculous.

    Administering a test to 4th graders never used to require Congressional action. :)