A step forward in the opt-out movement? Some disagree

The state's suspension of one mandated reading test has been deemed a victory by the opt-out movement.

But the Florida Department of Education said the computerized test was suspended due to technical difficulties — not pressure from the opt-out movement.

Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart suspended the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading test for kindergarten through second-grade students Monday, citing technical difficulties that occur when the tests is administered.

"It was difficult to log onto the system and once they logged on, they couldn't stay logged on," said Joe Follick, the DOE spokesman. "We attempted to fix the problem multiple times and decided this was in the best interest of the students moving forward."

School officials at Lee and Collier schools reported multiple issues with administering the FAIR test, which is typically administered three times a year and is used solely for progress monitoring.

Lee Schools' spokeswoman Amity Chandler said kindergarteners — the only students in Lee who takes the FAIR test —experienced those technical issues. Students had problems "getting access" to the exams, and their answers were not always logged in the system, she said.

Collier Schools Superintendent Kamela Patton said she personally expressed her concerns to Stewart about the technological issues. In Collier, all students from kindergarten to fifth grade took the FAIR test, as well as academically struggling students in middle and high school.

"The district appreciates the Florida Department of Education's recognition of the concerns and challenges expressed to them regarding the quality, length and technological problems experienced," Patton said.

Now, students in grades kindergarten through second grade will be assessed based on teacher observation.

Mark Castellano, the president of the Teachers Association of Lee County, said the state's decision wasn't surprising given the test's history of problems.

"The FAIR testing has been plagued with problems since it started several years ago," he said. "The state did not have the infrastructure to do this. Every classroom in the state was trying to get on to take these tests at the same time, and the system would basically crash."

For those in favor of opting out, however, FAIR's suspension symbolized the state's willingness to reconsider its tests.

"They're not oblivious to what's going on across the state," said Bob Schaeffer, the public education director for FairTest. "It's clear that a variety of factors were involved, but the fact that there was a huge protest movement ... and that the (test's) delivery system was flawed adds up to an obvious test for them to suspend."

Tess Brennan, a vocal opt-out supporter, characterized the suspension as a "victory" for the opt-out movement.

"Lee County might have been the catalyst with Mary Fischer's initial vote to opt out, and it was a catalyst that got people talking," Brennan said.

Castellano said the election year may force politicians to "react accordingly to the way the winds are blowing" given many people's impassioned stances on the issue. "They're undoubtedly feeling the heat statewide because this conversation is now taking place across the state," he said.

But Chris Patricca, a mother of three Lee students, doubted the opt-out movement's significance.

"There are political pressures associated with this, but I'd like to think that the politicians, in the end, would do the right thing for our kids," Patricca said. "I don't think that this movement is going to change the basic structure of education in Florida."

FAIR resistance

Her name might not ring a bell in Lee County, but many people believe Susan Bowles is to thank for FAIR's suspension.

Bowles, a 59-year-old kindergarten teacher in Gainesville, made headlines across the state last week for refusing to administer the FAIR test to her students.

In a letter addressed to parents, Bowles said the tests would cost her class two weeks of instructional time, a price she was not willing to pay.

"I know I may be in breach of my contract by not administering this test," she wrote. "I cannot in good conscience submit to administering this test three times a year, losing six weeks of instruction. There is a good possibility I will be fired."

But she wasn't fired. Alachua Superintendent Owen Roberts said he, too, was concerned with the amount of testing and FAIR's technical glitches.

Bowles was lauded by many as the champion of the opt-out movement, and her story was featured everywhere from The Washington Post to Fox News.

On Monday, Roberts sent another letter to parents saying that Education Commissioner Pam Stewart had told him the FAIR test would no longer be required.

"I am very pleased to report that in light of the technical difficulties schools and teachers here in Alachua County and throughout the state have experienced with the FAIR test, the test will not be required," Roberts wrote Monday afternoon in a memo to parents.