FCAT IS NO JOKE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

[williamjackson]

FCAT IS NO JOKE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

The realization that FCAT is finally here has students
understanding that this assessment is challenging and
requires them to use the strategies teachers have been
teaching not just this school year, but in previous
academic years.

Thus this blog is a reminder that for all parents:
FCAT IS NO JOKE PARENTS TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
this assessment is not for punishment, nor a projection of
future failures or drop out rates, but a gauging where added
remedial work needs to be done.

To help parents understand the importance if they have
not realized it as of yet, the Florida Comprehensive
Assessment Test or FCAT 2.0 is an evolving assessment.
It is a more meticulous test with greater expectations of student
growth and knowledge across all grade levels. Parents may still
be thinking of the past FCAT, but last year the State Board of
Education (SBE) raised FCAT cut scores for each passing levels:
thus raising the achievement bar.

Parents must take a more active role in helping their children
in their accountability and responsibility for academic success and
growth. Any time high academic standards are expected, parents
cannot (not that they are) sit on the sidelines and expect teachers
to do everything. The first educator in a child’s life is their parents.
Even parents that do not think they have the educational background
to help with homework, class projects, etc, parents should attend
PTO/PTA meetings, arrange for and attend parent/teacher meetings,
visit their child’s classroom, checking academic folders, participate
not just when field trips or special occasions happen and arrange for
tutoring which is FREE in DCPS at many schools. Additional resources
are the Parent Involvement Centers at schools that hold workshops just
for parents. The goal for DCPS Title I Parent Involvement mission
is to empower parents and families to support their children's
cognitive and social-emotional development.

More information can be found at:
http://www.duvalschools.org/static/aboutdcps/departments/special/titleone/Parent_Centers/index.asp

The changes in FCAT 2.0 can be seen in the potential for passing scores
to dip. As an example, students that have consistently scored Level 3
(passing rate) their entire school career could easily score below the
passing level with the new imposed standards. The biggest change
likely be in grades 3, 4, and 10.

What will this mean in terms of student performance on the
newer FCAT 2.0?

There will be an increase in the number of students failing to pass
FCAT 2.0.
There will be an increase in the number of students having to take
remediation classes for the portions of FCAT 2.0 that they failed.
Secondary impact: the student's ability to take elective courses
(i.e. band, art, drama, music, etc.) will likely be limited due to the
addition of remediation courses.
This information was obtained from Duval County Public Schools;
there are also media reports of further information that the public
should be aware.

The important information is that lower FCAT test scores do
not mean students learn less.  The indication is students have
work to do to master new curriculums to be successfully. Parental
support is increasingly needed to help manage student learning,
student behavior, student motivation and make sure the mindset
on education is paramount.


Parents there are several more days of testing for FCAT, be sure
to get your child or children to school on time and prepared.
Provide positive reinforcement, uplifting advice and inspirational
words. All students need support during this assessment time.

More information to help parents can be found at:
FCAT Scores Impact Scheduling
http://mayportmirror.jacksonville.com/military/mayport-mirror/
2012-03-14/story/fcat-scores-can-impact-student-s-schedule

FCAT 2.0
http://www.duvalschools.org/fcat2/index.html

FCAT Explorer
http://www.fcatexplorer.com/

Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals discusses FCAT 2.0 scoring changes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFsSSEuQ9KA

[mtraininjax]

Wonder how many A and B schools fall this year. Teachers to get bonuses based on student's performance.

[Garden guy]

I wonder if our council will vote a tax increase to fund our schools better so our students can be better prepared. They voted year after year to lower this and that which eventually means less money for kids. How low do we go to learn?

[wsansewjs]

I have taken FCAT myself personally. It is a fucking JOKE. There are so many flaws with the FCAT testing standards. It is not a TRUE measure of merits and intelligence of the students.

What it is really sad is that schools has to compete for money by justifying their students and their FCAT performance.

This is a NOT GOOD mix at all.

-Josh

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I have taken FCAT myself personally. It is a fucking JOKE. There are so many flaws with the FCAT testing standards. It is not a TRUE measure of merits and intelligence of the students.

What it is really sad is that schools has to compete for money by justifying their students and their FCAT performance.

This is a NOT GOOD mix at all.

-Josh

{Insert Smart Assed Font}  If you're going to say a Standardized Test is, "...a fucking JOKE...", you should probably proof read your post. 

[Tacachale]

Standardized tests are meant to be, well, tests, but the FCAT is treated as a bar that has to be passed or students don't get move up or graduate and schools receive less funding. However, considering how much stake the state puts into the things, it should not be taken lightly.

[BridgeTroll]

It is not a TRUE measure of merits and intelligence of the students.

It was never meant to be that.  it measures how well the students learning standards in Math, Reading, Writing, and Science.

[Tacachale]

It is not a TRUE measure of merits and intelligence of the students.

It was never meant to be that.  it measures how well the students learning standards in Math, Reading, Writing, and Science.

And then passes furious judgment upon them and their school based on that.

[BridgeTroll]

It is not a TRUE measure of merits and intelligence of the students.

It was never meant to be that.  it measures how well the students learning standards in Math, Reading, Writing, and Science.

And then passes furious judgment upon them and their school based on that.

Furious?  Not sure the test passes judgement at at all.  Standards are set, curriculum devised, lesson plan taught, student tested.  If students fail to achieve the standards set there is a problem... if too many students at a particular school fail to meet standards then there is a problem at the school and remediation is required.  What is the issue?

[Doctor_K]

There will be an increase in the number of students failing to pass
FCAT 2.0.
There will be an increase in the number of students having to take
remediation classes for the portions of FCAT 2.0 that they failed.
Secondary impact: the student's ability to take elective courses
(i.e. band, art, drama, music, etc.) will likely be limited due to the
addition of remediation courses.

Once again, the arts take a back seat and get pushed a little bit closer to irrelevance. 

IMO, the issue, BridgeTroll, is

a) students are taught to pass the test and not to think critically or analytically.  This sets them up for future failures; and
b) with even less emphasis on the arts (aren't there a number schools already with either very limited or no music or art programs?) which leads to a mass-production of more drones taught the test with no encouragement of creative pursuits or outlets.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Furious?  Not sure the test passes judgement at at all.  Standards are set, curriculum devised, lesson plan taught, student tested.  If students fail to achieve the standards set there is a problem... if too many students at a particular school fail to meet standards then there is a problem at the school and remediation is required.  What is the issue?

The only issue that I would have, real or percieved, is that the lower scoring schools recieve less funding. 

I don't claim to know how the system works, but I do know that my son, being in a magnet school, is taking advanced classes and earning high school credits while in the 6th grade which will help him later, but his true purpose there is to help raise the schools FCAT average.  The teachers should get paid more if their classes are scoring higher than average on the test.  Those teachers should also be dispersed around the school system, after, say, 4 years of bringing in a 4-5 average, in order to bring help other schools bring their grades up - while keeping their higher rate of pay based on past performance.  IE, the teacher should be rewarded for above average performance for a period of time.  That teacher should then be challenged by being reassigned to a lower scoring school.  That teacher should not be punished (lose their incentive pay) because the test grades aren't up to standard.  Although they should be allowed a window for another transfer.  [sorry, rambling]

I don't feel that the school's funding should be determined based on scores, because it would seem to me that the lower scoring schools probably need the most help.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

a) students are taught to pass the test and not to think critically or analytically.  This sets them up for future failures; and

Did you think less criticallyor analytically when you took the SAT / ACT?  I'm finding it's the same thing, just done on a yearly basis.  They are taught the concepts in class and are having to use those concepts to pass the test.  It's no different.

b) with even less emphasis on the arts (aren't there a number schools already with either very limited or no music or art programs?) which leads to a mass-production of more drones taught the test with no encouragement of creative pursuits or outlets.

I tend to believe the bigger problem with this is the financing.  If kids show a musical or artistic ability and have the grades, there are several immersion programs that they can apply to via the magnet program.  Unfortunately, you are correct in the fact that the less fortunate kids [read:  low scoring students] and maybe the one's that could use it the most, are left out due to the money crunch. 

[BridgeTroll]

There will be an increase in the number of students failing to pass
FCAT 2.0.
There will be an increase in the number of students having to take
remediation classes for the portions of FCAT 2.0 that they failed.
Secondary impact: the student's ability to take elective courses
(i.e. band, art, drama, music, etc.) will likely be limited due to the
addition of remediation courses.

Once again, the arts take a back seat and get pushed a little bit closer to irrelevance. 

IMO, the issue, BridgeTroll, is

a) students are taught to pass the test and not to think critically or analytically.  This sets them up for future failures; and
b) with even less emphasis on the arts (aren't there a number schools already with either very limited or no music or art programs?) which leads to a mass-production of more drones taught the test with no encouragement of creative pursuits or outlets.

In responce to a)  Not really sure what "taught to the test" or "taught to pass the test means.  If standards are set, and curriculum's are devised based on the standards, and the lessons are taught... the next step is to test to see that the students meet the standards set. 

As to b)  FCAT was designed to test the 4 basic core skills.  Most would think that once those are mastered arts and music and sports are highly desireable...

[wsansewjs]

When was the last time ANY of you guys have taken the FCAT?

-Josh

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

When was the last time ANY of you guys have taken the FCAT?

-Josh

I was helping study for it last week, why?