Florida opportunity to end the misuse of the FCAT
Statement Re Education Commissioner Resignation by Florida House Democratic Leader-designate Perry Thurston
Submitted by Mark Hollis
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida House Democratic Leader-designate Perry Thurston (D-Plantation) issued the following statement following Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson’s announcement that he will step down as Florida education commissioner effective Aug. 31.
“An opportunity now exists to restore trust in Florida’s education accountability system. I am hopeful that Governor Rick Scott, legislative leaders and the State Board of Education will use the appointment of a new state education commissioner to begin work — in bipartisan fashion and with key stakeholders in public education — to end the misuse of the FCAT.
“The FCAT has failed students, teachers, and our state. A new state education commissioner can help Florida install a better and broader education accountability system for every school receiving taxpayer dollars that takes into account all the things students and teachers accomplish throughout the year.
“I urge Governor Scott and legislative leaders to start a public conversation now about developing a new education accountability system that can be approved by the Florida Legislature as we move toward the new Common Core State Standards that take effect in 2014.”
