Concerns remain over FCAT discrepancies

TALLAHASSEE - State education officials say that a preliminary review of Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test results indicates that they are within historical ranges and are likely accurate.

State education officials met Thursday with seven superintendents and five testing specialists from all over Florida to go the results from two independent audits of the scores.

Hillsborough School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and six other school superintendents met with Education Commissioner Eric Smith Thursday morning.

She released a statement saying the investigation is ongoing, and questions are still unanswered.

"A thorough and independent review is absolutely necessary to bolster public confidence in the validity of the FCAT scores. In Hillsborough County we embrace school accountability and we will do everything we can to ensure that we have data that is fair and accurate," Elia said in the statement.

Elia said the Commissioner Smith told the group he had not yet reached any conclusions, and the investigation is ongoing.

A final audit of the scores could be ready by next week.