TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Testing or over-testing in the state has many parents, teachers and lawmakers concerned. In the digital learning age, some legislators are calling for a slow down and a return to the old ways.
The meeting ran out of time, but the committee asked Education Commissioner Pam Stewart for a written response to address how and why some parents are opting their kids out of Florida testing.
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As new Florida Standards Assessments tests get ready to be rolled out this spring, there's still plenty of concern from the school districts.
Hillsborough County Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia said they're already costing valuable class time.
"The way that we're administering it is going to cause, and has caused an excessive amount of time to be used in the school, and it's a disruption," said Elia.
The Common Core tied tests have drawn a lot of criticism for over testing stressed out students. Lawmakers in a Senate education spending committee touched Wednesday on a potential issue that isn't entirely figured out.
Many of the new tests will be taken online, but what happens if there's a technical problem? That's why some are saying the old pencil and paper way might be the best way.
"We do not have the technology in place to fully implement online assessments this year," said Sen. Bill Montford.
Stewart said Florida schools are ready for the digital age, but Sen. Don Gaetz isn't so sure.
"There is a disconnect between how ready the department feels they may be and the districts may, and what the districts feel," Gaetz said.
Tweaks are expected, but Stewart said they won't be coming from just one side.
"We're going to work together. I think that the investigation we're doing into the assessments is going to formulate the direction the legislature and we want to go," said Stewart.
The tests currently cost Florida $90 million, not including other district costs.