2/28/2003
FCAT Fever
It's FCAT time again. The Bradenton Herald runs a good editorial on high-stakes testing -- I suspect written by a parent.
"Symptoms of FCAT Fever include upset stomachs, headaches, nail-biting, crying jags, furrowed brows and resistance to go to school. It's usually accompanied by fretful parents."
Here, the Volusia County school system, to its credit, is going all out to grant a diploma to a dyslexic honor student despite the FCAT. (I wrote about this awhile back and so did Martin Dykeman of the St. Pete Times.) He's a very smart kid. He can do the work, he just can't do the test. The SAT and even state bar exam would accommodate him. The FCAT still can't. (Sentinel reports this with other FCAT complaints -- (perishable link) )
In Pinellas Co. a school board member refuses to go along with it. (Earlier story here.)
"Symptoms of FCAT Fever include upset stomachs, headaches, nail-biting, crying jags, furrowed brows and resistance to go to school. It's usually accompanied by fretful parents."
Here, the Volusia County school system, to its credit, is going all out to grant a diploma to a dyslexic honor student despite the FCAT. (I wrote about this awhile back and so did Martin Dykeman of the St. Pete Times.) He's a very smart kid. He can do the work, he just can't do the test. The SAT and even state bar exam would accommodate him. The FCAT still can't. (Sentinel reports this with other FCAT complaints -- (perishable link) )
In Pinellas Co. a school board member refuses to go along with it. (Earlier story here.)
