On Tuesday, Sept. 14th, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida announced a new bill that will end Florida Standards Assessment testing. The Florida Standards Assessment, also known as the FSA, takes place at the end of each school year for all Florida students. 

For the entirety of each school year, teachers prepare students for the FSAs and have month-long periods in which the learning curriculum focuses on the end-of-year exams. This new bill changes the classroom dynamic.

DeSantis fabricated the bill after feeling as though the system had flaws and did not benefit student improvement. 

The FSA’s purpose is to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the pupil, while simultaneously allowing them to gain more knowledge and progress throughout the year. These exams test students’ abilities in math, english, science and other core subjects. 

However, the bill offers a better way to measure student ability, while also helping them improve upon topics they have not yet mastered. 

Desantis said he hopes to replace standardized testing with “Progress Monitoring,” which offers shorter, individualized check-in assessments that take place during the fall, winter and spring.

According to DeSantis, Progress Monitoring takes 75% less testing time, which allows for more learning opportunities and permits teachers to correct mistakes made from students to help them excel. This system would lead to further advancement in each assessment and allows students to reach their furthest potential, improving students’ final scores.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran both support the bill, finding it more effective than the previous structure.

This bill is scheduled to take effect in the 2022-2023 school year.