State Board of Education Votes to Keep School Safety Net

The state Board of Education met in Tampa Tuesday and decidedto adopt the reading samples associated with the Common Core standards. The board also voted against adopting the student writing samples.

Board members also voted to extend the school grade "safety net" through the 2014-15 school year. The safety net had been instituted over the summer and would prevent school grades dipping more than one letter in any given year.

Board member Kathleen Shanahan cast the only vote against the measure, due to concerns that inflating grades would ultimately undermine the validity of Florida's education accountability system.

"Isn't that sad that we are sitting here voting on something that is going to have no integrity?" she said. Chairman Gary Chartrand called the safety net "unfortunate" but said there wasn't a way around it.

Florida's schools are gearing up to implement Common Core by next year, but the standards have recently caused a commotion due to backlash from parents and members of the public. Gov. Rick Scott responded to these concerns by suggesting Florida eliminate federal intrusion in state education policy. He suggested Florida not adopt the appendices associated with Common Core.

Florida will also be looking at finding a new assessment test by March. The competitive bidding process for tests is scheduled to begin later this month.