Orange and Seminole Counties have drastically cut the number of required tests for elementary students. Both counties announced last week that they have eliminated end of course exams or “standards based assessments” for kindergarten through 4th grade students. In Orange, 5th graders will not have to take a social studies end of course exam but will be required to take one for art, music, and P.E.
Orange County School Board Chair Bill Sublette told the Orlando Sentinel, “The volume of testing imposed on us by the state has become too much in the last two years. We need to do what we can to reduce the number of tests imposed on our students.” Superintendent Barbara Jenkins explained she eliminated as many tests as she could under Florida law. Additional relief must be given by the Florida Legislature. Stay tuned as we track proposed changes to Florida’s testing laws in the House and Senate.
Lake County is currently reviewing its testing policy to determine if changes can be made there, as well.
