Florida state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart says she plans to fine the testing company Pearson after more than two dozen school districts reported problems administering the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Twenty-six Florida school districts report problems with Pearson’s online FCAT and end-of-course exams. The glitch prevented students from accessing the test once they were logged in to the system. According to the Florida Department of Education, Pearson officials said the underlying problem was a national issue with Internet service.
Commissioner Stewart says the Department is discussing options for districts that may need more time to administer the FCAT and end-of-course exams.
In a tersely-worded letter to Pearson, Stewart says she plans to fine the company for damages for failing to fulfill its duty under its state contract. The glitch comes as the state fades out the FCAT exam in favor of a new test which will eventually be administered entirely online. But according to a state report , few districts are currently wired enough to handle the increased traffic that will come in the next few years.
Read Stewart's letter to Pearson below:
