All candidates for Leon County Superintendent agree on one thing. Testing. They say there’s too much of it in schools. But all have a different way of approaching the issue. Florida's standardized testing scheme continues to rile parents, students, and education officials. And it's also a part of the conversation about who should be Leon County's next superintendent of schools.
Former school board member Patricia Sunday says she wants to take the fight to the federal government to get rid of testing mandates.
“I would fight the federal government. I would go as far to be arrested if necessary. I will not stand for this to go on in our community any longer," she said.
Meanwhile, former board chairman Forrest Van Camp wants districts to have more control. He says the state and federal government should set the rules, then get out of the way.
“We can do it, it’s been done in the past, but it all begins in the classroom," he said.
And Leon Superintendent Jackie Pons agrees. And he’s pushed for a single, nationally normed test. But he’s also a realist.
"We do have to follow state guidelines. We can’t just say we’re not going to do this, because we need the funding.”
Florida lawmakers did roll back some state-mandated tests, but many remain in place. Florida law mandates students take the exams, and schools, teachers, and districts continue to be rated on the scores.
Candidates Rocky Hanna and Woody Hildebrandt did not attend the Superintendent's forum on WFSU's Perspectives show. Hanna was getting married, and Hildebrandt, though confirmed for an appearance, failed to attend.
