The year 2015 was a year of change for education in the State of Florida. Marking the end of the standardized testing known as FCAT, came another controversial testing system called Florida Standards Assessment. Rolled out in early March to hiccups and headaches, problems continue to this day. In March, technical glitches left many students unable to even complete portions of the test, or even login at all. Many school districts cancelled the testing until computer issues could be resolved. In April, students were once again unable to complete some of the testing due to an “unauthorized” technical change with the testing vendors.

In the meantime, teachers and parents groups, along with Florida School Superintendents were uniform in their opposition to the entire FSA, which many denounced as a fore-runner to the intensely controversial Common Core Standards.

In May and throughout the summer, the Florida Department of Education contracted with a Utah firm to complete validity testing for the Florida Standards, and ultimately determined the FSA was valid and that key components were following “best practice” standards. However, that did not deter many in their continued opposition to FSA. State Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) has introduced legislation that sailed through both the House and Senate, that would limit the amount of prep and test time in public schools to just 5% of total class time. Many others bemoaned what they saw as an overcomplicated education system. Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) said, “it seems to me we have to have a system that serves the need of students, not students serving the need of a testing system. We’ve reached a point of low… where we need to have a simple system that can restore credibility to accountability.”

In early 2016, the Florida Board of Education is expected to review Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart’s recommendations regarding testing “cut” scores, which are stringent indeed, and could see more failing students and schools then even under FCAT. Many remain opposed to FSA, and several leading Republican presidential candidates, including Sen Ted Cruz, Sen Marco Rubio, and former US Senator Rick Santorum signed pledges opposing Common Core. Bills for the 2016 Florida Legislative term coming up in January have been filed that call for the election of the Florida Education Commissioner, who is currently an appointed position.

The many facets of education in Florida will no doubt be a key legislative issue for 2016.