Florida puts limits on standardized testing
TALLAHASSEE – Responding to a backlash about the continued use of high-stakes standardized tests, the Florida Legislature on Thursday passed significant changes to the system that was primarily put in place by former Gov. Jeb Bush.
The changes, though not as wide as critics wanted, still represent a departure for Republicans who had fully embraced the reforms championed by Bush during his eight years in office. Bush is touting his reforms in what appears to be a likely presidential campaign.
The measure sent to Gov. Rick Scott would limit the amount of testing that can be done in public schools, including a firm cap of 45 hours of state-authorized testing per year. It would also undo a restriction on school starting dates that had been put in place at the urging of Bush. Schools could start as soon as Aug. 10 under the bill.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli contended that the changes should not be seen as retreat from the A+ plan adopted back in 1999, Bush's first year as governor.
"We have made great strides in Florida based on the A+ plan," said Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican. "I think we continue to make great strides, and a lot of that was based off those policies, but we're always open to massaging those policies, and that's what taken place."
Scott has not yet said whether he will sign the bill into law, but the GOP governor in the past has echoed those who said the amount of testing in state schools has gotten out of hand. Scott earlier this year suspended an 11th-grade standardized test that had been scheduled for spring.
Bush's A+ plan expanded the use of standardized tests from the third grade to 10th grade. It also created an A-to-F grading system of schools tied to test results. Schools with top grades are rewarded with extra money, and chronically failing schools can be subject to sanctions.
Other tests, including end-of-year exams, were added later by legislators to the state's standardized testing regimen. This year Florida switched to a new test — called the Florida Student Assessment — based on new standards primarily founded on Common Core. The rollout of the test was marred by technical glitches.
But even before the test was given this year a backlash was mounting. One southwest Florida school district voted in August to opt out of statewide testing. The board reversed the decision a week later.
The mounting frustration was evident on the Senate floor last week. Sen. Tom Lee, who had been Senate president while Bush was in office, complained there was "too much damn testing" going on in the state. He also complained about the influence on education policy by the foundation set up by Bush to promote his changes.
Senators insisted on adding clauses to the bill sent to Scott that would delay the release of this year's school grades until an independent review of the new test can be performed. Other sanctions associated with annual testing would also be put on hold while the review is underway.
Some legislators said the bill still doesn't do enough to undo the current system.
"I don't think it's a panacea, and I'm afraid we will hear a lot from educators," said Rep. Dwight Dudley, a St. Petersburg Democrat.
Despite the public criticism leveled at the group, the executive director of the Foundation for Florida's Future still praised the bill now headed to Scott.
"They voted to keep education transparent and provide teachers with the information they need to help students learn, while ensuring testing at every level is done Florida puts limits on standardized testing: