State sets FCAT trap

Palm Beach Post Editorial
Thursday, August 21, 2008

In 1999, the Legislature pointed to the FCAT and told students and teachers that the test was the most important thing in their lives. True enough. Everything from teacher bonuses to student graduation depended on the FCAT.

So, schools treated the FCAT like the most important thing. Students had to do FCAT workbooks. Schools cut back on electives. When Test Day got close, teachers ditched the regular curriculum and conducted intensive FCAT reviews. Which caused parents to complain about student stress and teaching to the test and losing sight of the importance of a well-rounded education, all in the name of a high-stakes test that has limited value.

This year, legislators finally responded to the complaints. How? Not by ending the silly school grading system and over-emphasis on the FCAT. Aside from minor tweaks to high school grades, the FCAT is as big a bear as before. Instead, legislators told schools that they can't go out of their way to prepare for the FCAT. ...

But, hey, if there are fewer complaints, the Legislature has solved the problem - until next spring, when parents complain about lower FCAT grades. At which point, legislators can solve the new problem - by requiring more FCAT prep.
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