FairTest: Testing Overkill Earns Florida an “F”
On a day when the big education policy news was a big speech by Jeb Bush, the Orlando Sentinel published a Q & A with FairTest director Bob Schaeffer. Editorial page editor Darryl Owens conducted the interview via email.
Q: The Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) recently approved a resolution opposing the current use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Surprised?
A: This grass-roots “revolt” reflects widespread concern that public schools spend too much time testing and not enough teaching. Independent experts, including a panel of the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council, agree that an over-emphasis on high-stakes testing has not helped improve school quality.
Q: Is FSBA on to something?
A: Florida may well be the worst test-score misuser of any state in the country. The head of FSBA
