TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Rick Scott is petitioning U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan for a hearing on Florida’s denied request for flexibility on testing students still learning English.
Florida was granted an extension from No Child Left Behind in August, but federal officials declined the state’s request regarding English language learner accountability.
The state asked that it be allowed to withhold Florida schools and teachers from accountability for English language learner achievement on state tests until after two years of instruction.
Education leaders including Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho are backing the state’s request.
In his letter to Duncan, Scott said he wants an administrative law judge hearing on the matter.
Florida has more than 265,000 students who are learning English as a second or even third language.
