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Test scores from this spring will count says the State Department of Education after a new report ordered by lawmakers has been released. But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, school superintendents say the report points out too many problems to ignore.

After thousands of students were unable to take standardized tests this past spring, state lawmakers ordered a study to see if the Florida Assessment Test was valid. With report in hand, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart says scores from the spring tests will count.

“The first thing I would say is there were eight conclusions, and I think that it came back positively in all eight areas” Stewart told reporters.

As a group, Florida’s school Superintendents has a completely different interpretation of this report. They’re calling foul.

The report shows one of every three questions asked of third graders on the test designed in Utah does not cover standards taught in Florida. On Algebra one, the report says one in five questions is beyond Florida Standards.

Sen. Bill Montford says  the Department needs to rethink its use of the test.

Q:”So you thin that their conclusions that everything is fine for the most part, are erroneous?”

“I think they’re not accurate. That’s correct. And when you look at the report itself says it did not meet the normal rigor expected of high stakes assessment. And that in itself should draw some serious questions.

Q:”:And the line before that said  the problem is so big we’re not sure how big it is?”

“That’s Correct” says Montford.

One of the reports conclusions is that tests given with paper and pencil were accurate, but tests taken via computer were suspect.

The Department says decisions on using the scores for advancement, graduation or placement will be left up to local districts.

While standing behind the test results, the Department of Education did say it would pursue monetary penalties against test contractor AIR for delays in administering the test.

Florida Supreme Court Justices asked tough questions today about the intent of a proposed constitutional amendment that would let businesses install large solar arrays on their roof tops and then sell extra power to their neighbors. The measure is opposed by all of the states big power generators, and after the hearing Steven Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said utilities will stop at nothing to defeat the amendment.

“We’re trying to speak on behalf of the people. We’re trying to speak on opening up the Sunshine State to allow the sun to shine, to give people choice. And the big monopoly utilities have an unlimited budget and they’re going to do everything they can to hold people back, They’re going to roll out all kinds of dirty tricks, they’re going to roll out all kinds of fat cat attorneys, and all these other kinds of things” says Smith.

So far the group has collected about one tenth of the signature it needs to get on the ballot…but first the court must decide if the ballot summary seen by voters is accurate.

A 35 year old man is in custody in the state Capitol tonight. Antoine Warren was driving on the FSU Campus late Monday when he approached a young woman and asked if she was waiting for an Uber driver. The woman got into his car, but after driving aimlessly, the man tried to assault the woman. She escaped and he was later arrested. FSU Police Chief David Perry isn’t sure if Warren is responsible for at least a half dozen near campus abduction attempts in as many months.

“Warren was taken into custody and transported to the Leon County Jail and charged with kidnapping with the intent to commit a felony. There is no evidence at this time that Warren has ever worked for Uber or representative of Uber. At this time, warren has not been linked to ongoing attempted abductions in the area” says the FSU Police Chief.

Police say the are checking with other victims and running evidence at the Department of Law Enforcement to see if Warren was involved in other attempted abductions.