“It’s quite a bit,” said Thach, 20, who is considering teaching social studies. The higher fees, which take effect Sept. 1, made her pause.
Meeting in Tampa at Hillsborough Community College, the eight-member board unanimously passed a proposal Tuesday to increase the total cost of the three tests required to teach in Florida public schools.
Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow said he would have preferred an increase in the sales tax or some other comprehensive solution to the many financial issues facing Florida’s education system.
“Teacher salaries in the state of Florida are about $6,000 below the national average, and the cost of living is high,” he said. “This just increases the burden on them.”
The increase was made to meet costs, and it puts Florida’s test fees at or slightly above what other states charge.
Before 2009, each of the three required tests cost only $25 each. That increased in January to $50 each.
The increase will generate about $9 million each year, according to the proposal. The testing programs cost about $16.5 million each year.
The jump in fees is “one more stumbling block” deterring prospective teachers from coming to Florida, said Yvonne Lyons, executive director of the Hillsborough Classroom Teacher’s Association.
She said she understands the state must cover its costs, especially during tough times, but she said she’d like to see some kind of scholarship or special consideration for those who can’t afford it.
“For those coming out of college, unless mom and dad are footing the bill, that’s a lot of money,” she said.
An adviser warned USF education senior Sarah Mallah of the potential spike in costs, so she signed up early and paid $150 to take the tests in April.
“A lot of us do internships at the end of our education, working for free, and we don’t have time to have jobs,” she said. “So $480 for the exams seems a little excessive.”
But while it’s a burden, several students said they’d find a way to pay. After years of hard work, they said they wouldn’t let $480 keep them from their goal.
“Paying extra for a test is kind of one of those necessary evils,” said USF senior Jill Robinson.
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