Parents gathered Monday night to learn about a type of testing they may have found confusing.

Starting this year, kindergarten through second grade students will have to take an assessment called FAIR, or Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading.

"If we can get parents to buy in and understand what it means we're going to have a more literate city," said School Board President Betty Burney.

Burney said that's the idea behind testing for young students. But there's an issue that's sticking with some parents; mandatory summer school if the child doesn't test high enough in reading, and if the kids don't attend summer school, they're automatically held back a year.

"I just don't know enough about it because my child does well in school and here we are we're going to hold him back for summer school. I don't think it's fair," said Priscilla Hemingway.

Hemingway said her son may have to go to summer school.

"He has straight A's on report card with one C. But you're not reading 85 words in 40 seconds so therefore you're not scoring high enough on FAIR test to be promoted to next level," she said.

Some parents are happy with the program.

"My grandson has some reading problems. He's just in first grade, but he doesn't seem to be up to par and I think it's good the school will work with him," said Mary Johnson.

Burney said this is a program that in the end only helps the kids, essentially she doesn't think FAIR is unfair.
"Well there was a question tonight. When parents asked even if my child's not qualified can my child come [to summer school]? So I think parents want that summer enrichment for their children," said Burney.