A parent who refuses to let her child take a standardized test says school administrators in Seminole County have notified her that her daughter will have to repeat the third grade.

  • Seminole County mom says her daughter will repeat 3rd grade
  • Mother opted daughter out of FSA
  • Says she will take legal action against the school district

Gabi Weaver says her daughter Camryn’s reading ability is well-above her grade level.

“She entered third grade with a seventh grade reading level, and she’s leaving third grade with an eighth grade reading level,” said Weaver.

Weaver says she’ll get official notice on the last day for Seminole County schools on Thursday that her daughter will not be allowed to advance to the fourth grade.

Students have to score above a certain level on the FSA Language Arts test to pass third grade. Florida Department of Education officials say there are other tests a student can take.  But Weaver says none of those accurately assess her daughter’s ability to read.

“It’s not fair to say to our third graders, 'It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in 180 days, that’s not going to pass you,'” said Weaver. “The only thing that will pass you is one test.”

Weaver is one of hundreds of parents in Central Florida, and across the state, who’ve decided to opt their children out of any standardized testing.

We reached out to the Seminole County School district. 

SCPS district spokesperson Michael Lawrence released a statement that said, in part:

“We cannot comment on confidential matters regarding individual students.  However, generally speaking, Florida law requires SCPS and all SCPS students to participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program.  Specifically, Section 1008.22(3), F.S., states, 'Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools...except as otherwise provided by law.'  Florida law does not include an opt-out clause or process for students or for parents to opt their children out of the mandatory assessment program - neither does SCPS.”

Another option state education officials say students who opt of testing have is to do a portfolio review of their work. But Weaver says the review still includes questions that are formatted similar to FSA testing.

Weaver said she doesn’t want to back down on her stance against standardized testing, but she also doesn’t want her daughter to have to repeat third grade, either. She says she plans to take legal action against the school district – and maybe eventually state education officials – to keep her daughter Camryn from having to repeat a grade.