Former teacher says she was fired for standing up to Granite District


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SALT LAKE CITY — The firing of a teacher in the Granite School District has energized debate about student testing.

Ann Florence taught English at Wasatch Junior High School for more than a decade before being fired on March 31. District administrators say several issues led to her termination, but Florence’s supporters say this highlights a larger problem affecting all students.

The Granite School District recently implemented quarterly assessment tests for its students.

“This is simply a data tool for teachers to know what their kids know,” said Ben Horsley, spokesman for the Granite School District. “We expect our teachers to be able to know what their kids know.”

But Florence says the tests were overwhelming and too time-consuming for teachers and students. When she refused to grade the tests, she says she was fired for insubordination.

Florence agreed to do an interview with KSL News Monday morning. When we asked her to show us her termination letter, she declined and then changed her mind about the interview.

Horsley wouldn’t go into detail but said Florence has had disciplinary issues in recent years. “There (was) some other conduct that was considered unprofessional by teaching standards,” he said.

Florence admitted she's had disciplinary write-ups she never appealed, and she has been an outspoken opponent of what she calls “excessive” student testing.

Last year, Florence wrote an opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune about intimidation tactics and the "avalanche of mandates from the state and district" in regards to testing.

She has support from opponents of the Common Core math and English guidelines adopted in 44 states. The Granite School District tests are not part of Common Core, but the Utahns Against the Common Core's Facebook page urges people to send letters to state and district officials in support of Florence.

Elizabeth Weight, president of the American Federation of Teachers in the Granite School District, said this is part of a larger issue. "I really would like to see the public become more informed and aware of testing situations their students are facing because of legislative actions," she said.

Meanwhile, Florence has 15 working days to appeal her termination — an action she hasn’t decided whether to pursue.

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