The Florida Department of Education announced today that independent auditors will be re-scoring the entire batch of 2006 3rd grade reading tests.

Department Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg says an internal investigation found what looks like a problem with the test, and that 3rd graders in ’06 may have had it easier than their predecessors. And because of that, the entire batch will face an audit - and be rescored.

“It isn’t related to the scoring of the test, it’s an equating issue. I just want to assure you that this was not intentional or deliberate.”

Blomberg says they’re still trying to get a handle on exactly what went wrong and that more details will be available later this week.

The just-released 2007 scores will not face an audit…but Blomberg says all future FCAT tests on all levels will be audited from now on.

And she says while the intention isn’t to cause grief to anyone, the re-scoring could have an impact on the letter grades school’s received last year.

For a complete look at the reading, math and science scores released Wednesday click here.