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The Florida Standards Assessments tests got off to a rocky start and still face plenty of criticism. As Matt Galka tells us, one lawmaker wants to use national tests in their place.

There wasn’t much of a honeymoon phase for the Florida standards assessments. A rocky start filled with technology glitches combined with calls to reduce the amount of testing didn’t win many people over. Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) wants an alternative.

Gaetz proposed allowing schools to say goodbye to the FSA in favor of national tests like the SAT or ACT.

“We’d have less time testing, more time teaching, more validated assessment, nationally respected tests, and a way, frankly, for students to be able to use those results for college and career readiness that I think is advantageous,” he said.

Anti-testing critics weren’t satisfied. The Florida Citizens alliance said the proposal doesn’t fix the main problems facing students.

“In our view, this bill just puts a new caboose on the same runaway freight train called common core and its high stakes testing and its curriculum,” said Keith Flaugh.

Gaetz said he still wanted to ensure accountability.

“If you want to repeal the FSA, not your bill. If you don’t like tests that have consequences, measurements that have results. This is not your bill I’m not your sponsor,” said Gaetz.

The bill cleared its first senate committee unanimously.

Gaetz says he’s talked to colleagues in the Florida House about filing a bill, but nothing was filed before session began.