Some FCAT results thrown out at Caloosa Middle School

by Dave Breitenstein

Cape Coral's Caloosa Middle School is throwing out results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test for 14 eighth-graders, the second time in four years that a Caloosa teacher has violated testing protocol.

“The teacher started to read the passages to students, but realized she made an error,” said Joe Donzelli, director of communications for the Lee County School District. “Unfortunately, it forced us to invalidate the reading portion of the FCAT for these students.”

Testing protocol does not permit teachers to read directions or passages to students, or assist them in any way with the exam.

In 2005, math scores for 19 Caloosa sixth-graders were nullified because their teacher answered a student’s question. In 2004, test results from 10 to 15 Gulf Middle School students were wiped away because children admitted they knew details about the test beforehand, while several Cypress Lake High School students had their scores scrapped that year because their test responses were too similar.

For eighth-graders, FCAT scores help determine what courses they are eligible to take in high school. Donzelli said the 14 Caloosa students will not be adversely affected because the school will rely on their entire year’s worth of work, like schools did prior to the FCAT’s introduction a decade ago.

The school district has not yet determined what, if any, discipline the teacher will face.
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