“I've come to really hate the FCAT. Not just because it creates unnecessary anxiety at too young an age. Not just because it reduces learning to filling in the multiple-choice bubbles on a standardized test. And not just because it hijacks lesson plans and class time. No. I really, really hate the FCAT because it provides political cover. It allows state lawmakers and bureaucrats to pretend this state has high educational expectations of its children. When, in fact, Tallahassee treats the education of our kids like a teen treats a pimple. They focus obsessively on the problem areas. And then squeeze and pinch until it bleeds. Hey, just put a little FCAT on that zit and it'll get better.”

-- South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Ralph De La Cruz.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/schools/s...,2807976.column