FCAT
Testing Frenzy
Dr. Felicia's View of Its Impact on Kids
March is FCAT
madness month in Florida public schools. No doubt you have heard
the word before if you have school age children. But what does
this mean to the parent of school-age child? It means you may
witness your child under extreme pressure knowing he or she must
pass FCAT in order to graduate.
While the
most pressure is on middle school and high school students, earlier
grade students also suffer because they may face retention if
they do not pass the test. Thus, FCAT is known as a 'high-stakes'
test, meaning that decisions will be made about that can seriously
affect students and their school status.
School
Rewards & Penalties
The testing
continues until March 14th, but then all wait with tension as
the tests are sent out to independent scorers and schools, staff,
and students alike will be affected by the results. Grades three
to 10 take reading and math tests; grades five, eight, and 10
take science, and makeups are offered for 11th and 12 graders
who have yet to receive passing scores. Pressure to perform well
on this test starts early in the school year, with more intense
pressure rising during February in preparation for the test. So
if your school child has acted cranky, nervous, or almost paranoid
about taking this test, the truth is so is the whole school system.
Teachers and administrators are accountable to oversee student
advancement, and rewards and penalties are disseminated to each
of Florida's 67 county school districts based on results.
Schools are
also graded from A to double F for lack of student grade level
improvement, based on FCAT results. "A" rated schools
indicate that the schools have improved at least one performance
grade category are eligible for recognition, which translates
to dollar rewards. How much you ask? The 2002 legislature earmarked
$306, 925,000 to be disbursed to high grade schools based on $100.00
per full-time student. Over 1,300 schools received award in 2002,
who in turn disburse the funds based on local advisory councils.
Allocations may be used for general expenses or for teacher bonuses,
thus even teachers are graded and accountable for student success
on the FCAT.
While the
underlying theory for implementing FCAT procedures may be worthy,
the truth is, school districts always received ratings based on
student achievement without the expense of giving the FCAT. Standardized
tests were traditionally given to students throughout the country,
with published norms, or average results, for national and local
districts.
The truth
is the same statistics and ratings could have been developed using
the traditional commercial tests such as the Stanford Achievement
test or Iowa Achievement test. High stakes decisions were also
tied to results on these exams, but now expenses and pressures
are escalated to provide the elaborate FCAT process with sparse
results focused on the individual student improvement.
Raising
a School's Score
After all,
aren't all students expected to achieve? The truth is, there are
many tricks to raising a school's scores or lowering them based
on each and every student taking the exam. Low functioning students,
academically challenged students, or typical class clown are often
encouraged to not attend the day of the testing so that the district
can attain higher scores. The proof in the pudding lies in the
following questions. Have drop out rates changed for each school
in correlation with the grades they receive on this test? Are
specific schools penalized because greater numbers of economically
disadvantaged students compose the student body and may not share
the same study habits as others regardless of teacher efforts?
Or perhaps we should ask, 'are a greater number of students are
college-bound because of the FCAT procedures? The truth is, these
same indexes could be achieved without the expense and pressure
of the FCAT test if the emphasis is truly placed on student welfare.
The bottom line is, the FCAT procedures are only valid if individual
student learning has improved, not individual school averages,
which can be easily distorted with a few adjustments.
Kids Will
Be Extra Tired & Tense
Valid or not,
FCAT procedures, testing is under way. The truth is, your child
during this month will be under pressure to perform. Poor test
takers, anxious children, and lower self-esteemed students will
suffer more this month than other students who easily perform
on tests. So, if you child comes home extra tired and upset, have
the cookies and tea ready. The process is an exhausting one.
For high school
students, the 10th grade exam could make or break graduation expectations.
And for those who fail, makeup tests in 11th or 12th grades are
extremely painful. So, if your child is acting different or may
not want to go to school, realize it may be tied to the pressures
of the day. As always, listen closely to your child's words. Attempt
to alleviate fears and anxieties by simply encouraging him or
her to do the best job they can do, after all, isn't that what
it is all about?
If further
information is desired concerning FCAT exams, search the FCAT
website www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat.htm.
Dr. Felicia, the ParentCoach
F. Felicia Ferrara, Ph.D.
Psychology Services
The Consultation and Evaluation Center
813-259-0303
