If the district fails to comply with the state order, the state may withhold funds from the district. While state officials have long envisioned standards and assessments at the heart of Florida's accountability system, only in the past three years have standards with adequate content been developed. By 1999, the state expects to have in place a first set of tests aligned with the standards. The tests are designed to measure math and reading achievement at elementary, middle, and high school levels against absolute standards. Students will be required to provide explanations and complete tasks, as well as answer multiple-choice questions.
Many educators welcome the changes as good for students.