No K-12 testing this year but online learning will continue through coronavirus crisis

WLRN 91.3 FM | By Emily Mahoney

Published March 17, 2020 at 7:24 PM EDT

Florida is scrapping testing for its K-12 schools, the cornerstone of the state’s schools accountability system, because of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus, said Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday.

Also, the state is extending the time students aren’t on campus, at least until April 15.

Students in the majority of school districts will start distance learning through online school or paper assignments delivered home on March 30. Miami-Dade schools already have pivoted to online learning. Most students are currently on an extended spring break that was announced last week.

However, four districts — Duval, Collier, Union and Sumter — started their spring breaks earlier and will start distance learning on March 23. Those districts are already experimenting with having school bus drivers deliver paper assignments to some of the students younger than sixth grade who may not be able to learn electronically as some of the older students, said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran at Tuesday evening’s announcement.