11th grade students are now exempt from taking the Florida State Assessment (FSA) for language arts after Governor Rick Scott passed an Executive Order Feb. 24.

After an investigation of Florida’s standardized testing by Commissioner Pam Stewart, she prompted for a reduction in annual test exams to better help students excel.

In her report, Stewart documents she found that mandatory statewide exams can provide useful information, but its broad, excessive format cannot accurately measure student progress or ensure education success.

Stewart targeted multiple area where state requirements should be reduced and recommends numerous actions she deems necessary for “Florida to move forward with fewer, better assessments,” according to the Assessment Investigation report released by the Florida Department of Education Feb. 18.

One of the tax recommendations listed in Stewart’s report states, “Don’t test students for the sole purpose of evaluating teachers.” Though, evaluating instructors remains important, it is repetitive to judge based of the FSA test when other exams remain in place for that purpose.”

“I’m okay [with the decision] because of the fact that the directions were ambiguous and [teachers] were given little info,” English II and AP Language and Composition teacher Jewel Ferraro said. “The state has not been clear about how grades are measured.”

Stewart also urges districts to “give no more than one school-wide or district-wide interim assessment per course/subject per grading period.” Brandea Rafferty, junior, agrees strongly with the recommendation.

“I think that’s fair,” Rafferty said, “I was mad that I had to take [the FSA]. We already take the FCAT and that’s what determines if we pass.”

Being a computer-based assessment, the Executive Order was able to change the testing schedule just days before the FSA was planned to be administered. This alteration adding another factor to the already hectic schedule spurred by a testing week. However, according to the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at H.B. Plant High School Kimi Hellenburg, the unexpected exemption isn’t a bad thing, in fact, it was beneficial.

In between helping students on the first day of testing Mar. 2, Hellenburg said, “The 11th grade cohort fell into FCAT testing. With the state cutting back with testing, FSA was best to choose.”

Rafferty’s feeling that she and fellow juniors not taking the test is “fair” is shared by the Assistant Principal.

“11th grade graduation based on FCAT and 9th and 10th are based on FSA. Basically [11th graders being excused] allowed us to better test 9th and 10th,” Hellenburg said.

Before being called away to resolve a student testing emergency, Hellenburg gave a final comment summarizing her impression.

“I’m happy [with the decision]. [The exemption allows for] more flexibility and reduces unnecessary testing.”