When the very first round on the very first day of computer-based assessment testing went down in flames at public schools on Monday, Florida’s Department of Education said it was because of “computer technical difficulties.”
However, “karma” — and bad karma at that — is a better description for what went wrong.
Despite the many red flags in their path, state officials imposed the Florida State Assessment tests on public-school students already staggering under the load of tests they have to take — and the high stakes riding on their scores. The test clearly was not ready for prime time.
Basically, the computer system was overwhelmed. When faculty members administering the tests managed to log in — many could not — they found the system ridiculously sluggish. Ultimately, testing was scrapped for the day.
