The state Senate vote 32-4 to approve a measure that aims to reduce the number of tests students in Florida’s public schools take each year.
The move came after several hours of fiery debate and promises from lawmakers that they will continue to evaluate the state’s testing and accountability system.
“Several colleagues have come to me …and have asked me is this enough, are we done if we pass this,” said Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. “It doesn’t settle the issue. After this session I have one more session and I have decided what my mission will be – to bring some order out of chaos.”
Among other things, the proposal eliminates the 11th grade English Language Arts assessment, prohibits districts from giving finals in courses where statewide standardized exams already exist, and limits the amount of time for test administration to no more than 5 percent of total school hours per student, per year.
