Pam Stewart Selects New Assessment Test

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart has selected the American Institutes for Research (AIR) assessment test to replace the FCAT, according to documents released by the Florida Department of Education on Monday.

The nonprofit beat out several large testing companies like Pearson and CTB-McGraw Hill for the contract.

"I am confident that this is the best choice for Floridas students," Stewart wrote in a letter to superintendents. "This assessment will measure their progress and achievement on Florida Standards, which, along with high-quality instruction, will give every student the opportunity to be college and career ready."

The new test will assess student achievement based on the new Florida Standards, which were adopted by the State Board of Education in February. According to a release from the department, the new test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will also be required to create graphs and respond in different ways than they would on traditional tests.

The test will be first administered in the spring of 2015.