Voices of Concerns about Florida’s Assessment & Accountability

Below are just a sampling of the many voices of teachers and parents who have contacted me with their concerns in just the last few weeks. Out of respect for their privacy I have only removed their names.

• “Although we are all equal in God’s eyes, we are not equal in reality. Equally, a student’s environment is not equal to all other students.       Nothing is consistent. The proposed Florida State Assessment legislation makes the assertion that all students have the same capacities and abilities and all things are equal.” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “Common Core / Florida Standards is too fast paced. As parents, we are busting our butts picking up where teachers left off at 3:30pm (Elementary). My son has 15-19 pages of homework each week. He hates schools, he hates coming home from school (because it’s more school…), he hates learning, and he hates reading, because he knows he’s being timed.” –Parent, Oct. 2014

• “We are already halfway through the school year, and there are no clearly defined test parameters. Example: Is my evaluation based on reading, industry certification, or end of course exam?” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “Math is so confusing now! I cannot help my kids with homework because it is so far off from how I was taught and it only confuses them and frustrates them. What only took 2,3 steps turned into a 10 step math problem! Makes no sense at all. I am a firm believer that as parents education is our responsibility as well. The teachers can only do much with the schedule they are given. If I can’t help at home then it doesn’t work.” –Parent, Oct. 2014

• “quite sad to know that my daughter is not enjoying the confusion of how she is being “re-taught” math and writing!! She cries most mornings on the way to school. It’s so confusing and ridiculous. I feel for the teachers for sure!! Many I speak to, tell me they are pulling their hair out!! Homework is much much longer and it use to be half the time for the same math problems.” –Parent, Oct. 2014

• “As a 3rd grade teacher, I am fearful of high-stakes (pass/fail) testing that has NEVER been given to Florida students. We have no data to support the accuracy of these tests and it seems that changes are being made so frequently, that the stability of such an important assessment is questionable at best. I feel it is wrong to As a parent of two Citrus County students, I want to know why our state is putting the cart in front of the horse? The rush to get these children (and I do not forget that is exactly what they are) to perform on tests that are not truly ready is an unnecessary burden.” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “Making retention decisions based on a test for which standardization hasn’t been completed and for which adequate performance is currently unknown.” –Parent/Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “Putting such high stakes on a 3rd grader’s shoulders that they will fail 3rd grade if they fail the FSA is ridiculous. As of last week, they changed the FSA practice tests on the FSA website. How can I prepare students for a test when it is constantly changing and not even written yet? We still don’t have an alternative assessment or a portfolio to document mastery.” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “My child is not a Guiney Pig! I believe the test should be properly evaluated, transitioned, and implemented before my 3rd grade child is required to prepare for it and be held accountable for the results. I feel that holding my child accountable this year is completely unethical.” –Parent, Oct. 2014

• “The unnecessary and unwanted stress and anxiety imposed upon the students, parents, and educators. For most people, the uncertainty has created a large amount of worry and concern. Teachers have not had the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the test or practice new (and much different) strategies to ensure our students are successful.” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

• “I am not opposed to Common Core or Florida Standards. Obviously these skills are necessary to function in the real world. I do know, however, that while learning an education 20 years ago, I survive just fine in the real world and I am able to do all of the math that I am currently responsible fo r teaching despite being taught by old standards. I used to be able to do fun, meaningful activities with my students such as planning out my living room arrangement based on a scale drawing of my actual living room and having students create songs to remember the order of operations.” –Teacher, Nov. 2014

• “Of course teachers need to be held accountable and there needs to be a means to provide that accountability, but just as it is wildly unfair to assess a student’s knowledge using one test on one single day, it is equally unfair to tie a teacher’s pay to that one test given on that one day. “ –Teacher, Nov. 2014

• “Students are under too much pressure knowing that this one test will dictate them passing or failing, regardless of how well they have performed all year long. Many kids have test anxiety and his test is even more so the reason.” –Teacher, Oct. 2014

Comments Off on Voices of Concerns about Florida’s Assessment & Accountability
Filed under: News & Updates