TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- A third-party review of the Florida Standards Assessments yields that the testing is valid for measuring a student's knowledge of Florida standards.
But some parents say the testing is inaccurate and should not be a sole determinant in a child's grade advancement.
The Department of Education held public input hearings across the state asking for recommendations on developing testing rules for the next set of testing.
Recommendations from both educators and reactors were presented at the hearing. Educators giving their input are the teachers that know the students and focus on the content of the test, examining if what's being tested correlates with school curriculum. The director of assessment says the reactor panel is a group of superintendents and various school board members from across the state.
"The reactor panel takes a look at what the educators recommend. But first they also see what impact does it have on males versus females, different demographics, African-American, Caucasian and Hispanics so they look from a policy lens as well as a content lens and determine how to move forward," said Vince Vergas.
The FSA is based on a 5-level assessment system and cut scores determine in which category a student places. The input from both educators, reactors, and the public is an effort to possibly revamp those test scores.
The Department of Education will compile both educator and reactor panels as well as public input to pass along to Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. The recommendations will then be reviewed and sent to legislature.
