for further information:
Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773
mobile (239) 699-0468
for immediate release, Tuesday, September 1, 2015
FLORIDA SHOULD SUSPEND HIGH-STAKES FOR STUDENTS DUE TO COMPUTER TEST FAILURES,
CONSISTENT WITH NEW REPORT; STATE’S TAXPAYERS OWED FINANCIAL REBATE FOR TEST FOUL-UPS
The country’s leading assessment reform group today called on Florida to suspend all high-stakes educational decisions for students based on last spring’s repeatedly disrupted public school tests. That is the policy recommended by an independent validation study, according to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest).
FairTest Public Education Director Bob Schaeffer, a 15-year Florida resident, explained, “Disruptions of last spring’s computer exams were so serious that scores are ‘suspect ,‘ just as assessment reformers stated at that time. Test results should not be used to determine grade promotion, high school graduation, or course placement, as the study recommends.” Florida’s computer testing system collapsed on three separate days.
Schaeffer continued, “The review process should not stop with the validity study, Florida’s assessment policies must be completely overhauled. In addition, the state’s taxpayers should receive a rebate from AIR.”
Last Friday, the Smarter Balanced Common-Core consortium ordered a review of AIR’s testing platform because of computer administration problems. Nevada already won a $1.3 million settlement for its botched exam rollout. North Dakota recovered more than $316,000. Montana is refusing to pay its test vendor until problems are resolved.
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