Cant Keep Quiet!

If you live in the Orlando area you probably saw the article in the Orlando Sentinel about FCAT scores rising across the state. Schools got the scores yesterday and parents will be able to access the scores via the web tomorrow.

Yesterday at my schools end of the year luncheon my principal came around long enough to tell that based on the results my soon to be former school should be an A. I wasn’t the only one that said “Gee, didn’t he say that last year?” Our grade based on last year’s FCAT results was a C.

Since I’m leaving the school I wouldn’t get any of the “bonus” money that would be paid out if the school actually did improve to an A or even a B. Even if I was, though, I wouldn’t hold my breath that this man is anywhere close to accurate on what grade the school will receive. Not just because he was wrong last year, but also because the state grading scale has been toughened.

According to the Orlando Sentinel

Florida used to grade its schools on a 600-point scale that considered math, reading and writing scores, learning gains and growth by the lowest-scoring students in reading.

This year, the state bulked up the formula with science scores and the growth made by the lowest-scoring math students. It also widened the scale to 800 points.

Also in the Sentinel today was a story about last years 3rd grade FCAT test. Apparently it was “too easy” and as a result the test will be regraded. School and district scores will also be recalculated but the state says that schools will be allowed to keep their grades. Of course, the fact that school grades are based on 4th grade reading results and 5th grade math results means that 3rd grade results weren’t used to determine school grades. 3rd grade results do affect the determination of Adequate Yearly Progress for that year and learning gains for the following year.

Of course state officials and Jeb Bush insist that this latest “oopsie” with the FCAT doesn’t mean that there is a problem with the test. I don’t agree and I’m not the only one.

But Luis Barroso, a Deltona father of three, said the news added to his unease about FCAT and the use of those scores to grade schools, hold back students and dish out teacher bonuses.

He fears schools waste time focusing on standardized tests rather than helping students truly master academics.

“I think the FCAT is a little bit of an unfair barometer of how a child is doing,” Barroso said. “I think it’s tremendous pressure on third- and fourth-graders.”

Maybe one day sensible heads will take over and realize that this parent and those that agree with him are right.