Florida kindergarten teacher refuses to give standardized tests

Published January 08, 2015

An Alachua County kindergarten teacher is refusing to give standardized tests to her students.

The Gainesville Sun reports 59-year-old Susan Bowles has decided not to give her Chiles Elementary students tests such as FAIR, which predicts their success in reading and is required to be administered to kindergartners.

Bowles says kindergarteners used to take the test on paper. Now it's computer-based, meaning teachers administer it one-on-one, resulting in up to six weeks of lost instruction time.

State education officials say students are not required to use the computer mouse and can point to the answer on-screen and the teacher can click the mouse for them. Students with disabilities may also qualify to take the test on paper.

Bowles posted her frustration to Facebook on Sunday. Two school board members have offered support.

Bowles has asked to meet with the superintendent.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-kindergarten-teacher-refuses-to-give-standardized-tests