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