CENTRAL FLORIDA — Central Florida students started taking the new Florida Standards Assessment test on Monday, but several districts experienced problems and glitches with the new testing system.
Despite the issues, central Florida school districts will continue with testing on Tuesday.
School districts across the state reported problems with the online test throughout the day Monday. Issues were reported in nearly all of central Florida's counties, and in Orange County, the problems mostly affected eighth- and 10th-grade tests.
Osceola County was one of the districts that had problems. Some students experience delays logging into the site, while other students were unable to finish the test because of technical problems. Students in Volusia and Osceola counties lost essays they had written.
"I don't want to lose my work in the middle of a test I'm trying to do good on," said student Trey Simmerson.
Even though teenagers are very familiar with technology, students WFTV spoke with said they'd rather use a pen and paper instead of a keyboard.
"I think it should be given on paper not online said student," Sarah Aikens.
While Orange County would not give details about their glitches, Lake and Seminole counties also said there were issues logging on to the test and then users getting kicked off.
"There's a lot of difficulties online. They don't really know what they're doing," student Sarah Aikens said.
School board member Jay Wheeler blames the issues on the state's Department of Education.
"The problem is that the state comes up with these great ideas, and then they don't fund us to get the infrastructure we need," Wheeler said.
Monday's glitches have some parents and students questioning the testing process that many already dislike.
A growing number of parents have already said they don't want their children taking the test, but the Florida Department of Education said it's mandatory.
"I don't think students should be participating in a state testing system that puts so much weight on one test," said Cindy Hamilton, with Opt Out Orlando.
Opt Out Orlando, an activist group against the testing, encourages parents and student to opt out of the FSA.
"I think you have to, as a parent, decide what is best for your kids. I am not going to make somebody, you know, a judgment on somebody else's decisions," said parent Lisa Matschener.
A letter on the school district's website written by the Department of Education outlines potential consequences, saying failing to take the test could lower a student's overall grade in a course, and it can then affect high school graduation, scholarship and athletic opportunities.
"While some districts are making plans to remove students from class if they don't take the test, we have no such plans in Orange County Public Schools," said Orange County Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins.
Seminole County released a six-page question-and-answer sheet on the FSA, which states teachers must alert parents if their children refuse to take the test.
If they refuse to take it, they can sit quietly during the session or study in another classroom.
The FSA mainly affects third-graders who could be held back if they fail and high school students with diplomas on the line.
"I have mixed emotions. Nobody knows because it's the first year," parent Kristen Godfrey said.
On Tuesday, students in grades four through seven will begin the writing portion of the FSA.
WFTV
