Florida testing halted again today due to company unauthorized updates. Not the first time.

[madfloridian]

FSA testing halted today because of computer problems, schools say

An "unapproved" and "unnecessary" computer update done this weekend by Florida's testing contractor disrupted testing for thousands of Florida students this morning when they could not log on to the state's computer system, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart told superintendents this morning.

Stewart said at 11 a.m. that the problem has been resolved and districts could try again to administer FSA reading and math exams. The Orange, Lake and Seminole county school districts said they have been able to resume testing at least some students.

In the telephone call with superintendents, Stewart said she as "exasperated, frustrated, dismayed, angry" that the state's testing contractor, American Institutes for Research, or AIR, had made a "technical change" during the weekend to the testing system.

"It was not approved by the department," she said. "It was not necessary to the administration of the FSA."

This test grades teachers, students, schools....it's a no excuses high stakes test which can override a student's other school progress, even that of honor students.

It should not count.

Opponents of high-stakes testing quickly took to social media sites to argue the new problems mean students shouldn't be judged by FSA results.

Not the first time testing has gone badly this time.

FL testing a mess. Girl finished essay, there was no submit button.

From an anonymous Florida teacher:

Today I got to see the frustration and anger on a kids face. She had finished her essay and was ready to submit, but there wasn’t a submit button. The test was saved and then paused. Moved to another computer. Logged in and …. Nothing. All her work was gone. Case opened with FSA. The young lady was really angry. Who could blame her? She refused to “rewrite the essay” or even “submit the test” which was now blank. This is where testing has gone too far. How many students have had to deal with this statewide?

From Orlando Sentinel reporter Leslie Postal: Florida’s new online testing system lost the writing exams of more than 300 Central Florida students who took the test this month. Most of the essays have since been recovered, but about 50 remain missing.

[lpbk2713]

1. The PTB should be embarrassed if they had any shame.

They stand in judgment of how our children are being educated and yet they themselves fail repeatedly at getting the testing process right. If the stakes weren't so high I'd have a good laugh about it but evidently I take it more seriously than the good ole boys and girls in charge do.

[madfloridian]

2. ....