Florida needs to rethink portions of its school-accountability system.

From the Orlando Sentinel's editorial page

After steering Florida toward more rigorous standards, Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson suddenly abandoned ship.

Credit the State Board of Education with quick action. Public Schools Chancellor Pam Stewart took the helm. Her interim job: keep Florida's reform movement moving steady as she goes.

With some districts' new school years less than two weeks off, putting a decision-maker in place quickly makes sense. What also makes sense is to embrace Robinson's exit as a soul-searching moment — and take a hard look at whether Florida needs to rethink portions of its school-accountability system.

Recent criticism roiled Robinson's one-year stint and sparked a populist backlash — joined by local school boards. Critics decried underwhelming FCAT writing scores. And they pointed to the state Department of Education's embarrassing miscalculation of school grades as proof Florida's FCAT-based accountability system needs an overhaul.

Education demands accountability. Yet, of late, even Gov. Rick Scott — bullish on accountability and Robinson's hire — rightly has wondered whether Florida dishes out too much of a good thing. Something to keep in mind when considering Robinson's replacement — someone who's not only open-minded to accountability, but open-minded to testing's limits.

If the state's accountability system is to evolve into the rigorous, fair and sensible system that evaluates Florida students, and ensures they're ready to compete, Robinson's exit is the opportune time to start that conversation.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-03/opinion/os-ed-robinson-resignation-080312-20120802_1_gerard-robinson-accountability-florida-students