Some Florida schools halted FCAT testing Tuesday because computer problems made it difficult for students to sign in or submit the online test. The computer problems interrupted students from Miami to Tallahassee as they took FCAT exams for the final time.
The Florida Department of Education said the problem was with test provider Pearson. The agency says the problem was not statewide, but doesn't know how many students were affected. Pearson says the problem was a contractor which hosts the exams online.Pearson says at least 200,000 students still completed the exam.
State education officials say students who could not finish or submit the exam will be able to do so later. But Education Commissioner Pam Stewart says the interruption was inexcusable. She expects an explanation and a solution.
Stewart also plans to seek damages from Pearson. The state fined the company $14 million in 2010 because FCAT results were late.
