Two years ago, a new law required all Florida students from kindergarten to college to be "literate in civics." But the mechanism to make that happen at the college level isn't in place and some teachers are losing patience.
One of those teachers is Bob Holladay, a history professor at Tallahassee Community College.
"I mean there are several options to meet this requirement. One is to take this test - or it will be if it passes in rules - the other is to take the coursework," he said.
Holladay worried the Florida Department of Education, which is starting that rulemaking through conference call this week, will let college students meet the legal requirement by taking a too-simple test with most of the answers available on line.
"How would you like it if your student is taking a math class in college at Florida State University and was told he could meet the requirement for the class by taking third grade multiplication?" he exclaimed.
Holladay wants to see a tougher test and real college-level coursework to prepare students for it.
