Florida debuts a new standardized test for students next month, in a year when testing is a hot-button issuein public education.
The Florida Standards Assessment is expected to be tougher than its predecessor, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Uncertainty about the new exams has stressed out many because results will be used to judge students, teachers and schools.
Concerns also ramped up because the 2011 teacher merit-pay law requires school districts this year to give final exams in all courses not covered by state exams. Those scores will be used in some teacher evaluations.
