INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Florida Department of Education Commissioner Eric Smith is blaming the delay in FCAT scores on a new vendor hired to administer the tests.”The lack of performance by the state’s new testing contractor, NCS Pearson, is absolutely unacceptable, and the delays we have encountered in the reporting of this year’s FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) results are not indicative of the smooth, expertly-managed experience they promised as a part of the contract procurement process,” he said. The delayed FCAT results in reading, mathematics, science and writing are not expected until the end of June — weeks after the public schools have gone into summer session. In year’s past results were delivered “well before the end of the school year,” read a statement put out by the School District of Indian River County.School District of Indian River County Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Fran Adams, said the delay will affect the District’s ability to schedule students into classes next year, but, “it is our intention to have a schedule ready for every student by the first day of school,” she said. When test results do arrive, School District officials will call parents through the District’s automated phone system, to advise that they can pick up their child’s FCAT scores at their schools, and scores will be available through eSembler access for a short period of time. “I would like to extend my most sincere apologies to our parents who rely on the timely reporting of this information to determine the appropriate educational services for their child,” Smith said. “I would also like to apologize to our educators and school administrators who need this information to ensure every student is receiving the kind of support and assistance they need to be successful.” For further information, please go to the Florida Department of Education’s website at: http://www.fldoe.org/fcat.asp
