FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-03-2015

TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the opening Sessions of the House and Senate both House Speaker Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardener outlined a joint 5-point work plan that included, among other things, improving the education system through increased funding and revised policies, particularly with regard to students with disabilities.  The commitment to increase education funding aligns with…

Leon County: All Online FSA Testing Delayed Until Further Notice

Today, Superintendent Pons sent a letter to Commissioner Stewart at the Florida Department of Education.   The letter addresses issues and problems being experienced throughout the state in regards to the online version of the FSA testing. Superintendent Pons has decided to delay administering the test until assurances are given by the Department of Education that…

Volusia schools suspend FSA computer testing amid problems

ORLANDO — Volusia County Schools says they have suspended Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) testing in grades 8 through 10 Tuesday after multiple districts reported issues with the new computerized testing system. Seven Central Florida counties told News 13 they experienced difficulties as students logged in Monday to take the English Language Arts writing test. Nancy…

Okaloosa County: Students encounter issues with new exam

Okaloosa County students encountered a few issues Monday morning as they started taking the Florida Standards Assessments for the first time. Choctawhatche, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach high schools and Bruner Middle School were all affected, according to district spokesman Henry Kelley. “The problem was we couldn’t get them (through) the login with the Department…

Jacksonville: Computer issues plague Florida Standards Assessments

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At least three public school districts are having computer issues while trying to take statewide standardized tests on the First Coast Monday morning, FCN’s Keitha Nelson reports. The confirmed reports of problems come from Duval, St. Johns, and Clay counties. These students are trying to take the Florida Standards Assessments writing tests.…

10 Palm Beach County schools reported problems today, will there be tests tomorrow?

At least 10 Palm Beach County high schools reported problems logging into Florida’s statewide online writing exam Monday. The number is particularly troubling to school district officials who said that’s a light testing day and they worry what happens if the many more schools slated to begin testing tomorrow give it a shot. Reports of…

Glitches popping up in new state tests; Miami-Dade schools postpone first round

Right out of the gate, glitches are plaguing the debut of Florida’s brand spanking new student assessment tests. On Monday, the very first test of the Florida Standards Assessment, some schools across the state are reporting computer problems. Many school district superintendents had expressed concerns that the state had not ironed all the bugs out…

Florida School Boards Association Dedicates Building in Honor of Dr. Wayne Blanton

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) dedicated its office building Friday, February 27, 2015, naming it the Dr. Wayne Blanton Center for School Board Leadership. FSBA chose to dedicate the building to commemorate Dr. Blanton’s retirement and to illustrate the Association’s gratitude for his 40 years of exemplary service to the Association. “Dr. Blanton…

Charter school, choice legislation likely to move in Florida Legislature this session

For two years, the Florida Senate squashed House attempts to revise the state’s charter school laws. The 2015 session looks quite different. Senate Education Committee chairman John Legg, who operates a Pasco County charter school, this week filed a bill (SB 1448) that adopts the language of a House Choice and Innovation proposed committee bill on…