Florida Standards Assessments Passes Review, FLDOE Says
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Education Commissioner Pam Stewart will answer questions about the Florida Standards Assessments review.
A review of Florida’s new statewide test has found the exam is valid and the results can be used to judge teacher and school performance, the Florida Department of Education announced.
But the review also found that after problems with computerized testing, “scores for some students will be suspect.” The reviewers recommend that state test scores are not the sole basis to determine whether students graduate or if they are placed in remedial courses.
Lawmakers ordered the review of the Florida Standards Assessments after testing problems this spring. School districts around the state reported students had problems logging into the exam and some students were kicked out while taking the test.
The state hired Alpine Testing Solutions to conduct the review.
“This is welcome news for all of us,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said of the results. “Now all Floridians can share my confidence of the assessment.”
Stewart said any disruptions to testing are unacceptable and the state department of education will work with the testing company, American Institutes for Research, and school districts to try and prevent future problems.