Reply #102: The biggest problem which I have as a FL parent

[Dappleganger]

with four children in the system (one having just graduated two weeks ago) is that the FCAT plays too heavy a role in guiding which classes a student should be in (how advanced or remedial) or whether or not a student shall receive a diploma. Not enough credit is given to seasoned teachers and principals in making these decisions when not every student falls within the expected norm. Our oldest daughter received nearly straight-A's in English and literature classes all through middle and high school, yet because she didn't 'test well' on one section of her FCAT was forced to take a remedial reading class in 9th grade, which of course ended up being a complete waste of time. We fought it as high as we could go, but neither the teachers nor the dept. head could change the state's absolute requirement that any child not testing above a certain percentage in that section was forced to take a remedial class. Our daughter was the only student enrolled in a remedial reading class as well as honors English in that grade--absolutely ridiculous! Just one small example of how assinine the state is in making the FCAT the 'be all, end all' in judging student ability, progress and mastery. BTW, that was four years ago and I can only imagine that it's that much worse now. There isn't a seasoned public school teacher I know in our area who likes anything about the FCAT's.