ORLANDO, Fla. – An FSA testing issue has been resolved after log-in problems halted testing statewide, including at several Central Florida schools, according to state officials.
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The Florida Department of Education said that the login issue was resolved around noon Monday and students were able to take the tests.
Officials said American Institutes for Research, or AIR, the company contracted to do the FSA testing, made an "unnecessary" technical change to the testing system over the weekend that was not approved by the department, and it resulted in students not being able to log into the system to take their tests.
"The company's failure to follow protocol is absolutely unacceptable and the Department will hold AIR accountable for the disruption they have caused to our state's students, teachers and school staff," DOE officials said in a statement.
Governor Rick Scott also said there would be consequences for AIR.
"We're going to hold the company accountable, they didn't follow the protocol, it was their login protocol," Gov. Scott told Local 6 Monday afternoon. "We're going to hold them accountable, the test is working. The Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart is working hard to make sure this works for our students."
Scott would not say exactly what the consequences would be.
"Anytime a vendor doesn't do the right thing we go through our contract to see what the opportunity is," said Scott.
AIR issued a statement about the glitch Monday afternoon.
"AIR experienced problems (Monday) morning providing log-in service for test proctors and students attempting to take their tests," AIR said. "The problem stemmed from human error, and AIR is reviewing its procedures in order to prevent future events of this kind. AIR takes full responsibility for this issue and apologizes for the disruptions."
Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman Shari Bobinski said in an email, "We have suspended testing for the day. We will wait until the state assessment office gives us the clear to start again."
Seminole County Public Schools said they "will attempt to try again later (Monday) in hopes that some groups will be able to continue and complete."
Volusia County Schools said the district had suspended testing Monday morning, but with the issue resolved, "if appropriate, schools will resume testing (Monday)."