It is that time of year again, I can't believe how fast time has flown by! On the school board schedule, FCATs will be held March 11-24. Different schools will have different schedules. Just giving you a heads up to check to see what your child's school is doing so you can help prepare them with plenty of sleep, good meals, and support.
~Mother to Brandon, Austin, Ethan, Ryan and Lillian~
Posts: 2924 | Location: Bartow | Registered: 13 February 2008
My daughter has been worried about FCAT since kindergarten! It's so sad that from the day they enter school that every other word they hear is FCAT and I don't blame the teachers for that but isn't this getting out of control? I don't think a student (or a teacher) should be measured based upon one test! Some people are very intelligent but are not good test takers. OK, stepping off my soap box now.... lol
I don't have a name anymore, I've simply become "Alyssa's mom" or "Alexis' mom"
Posts: 299 | Location: L.A. | Registered: 07 March 2008
Jen, That is great to let us know your feelings, That is what PolkMoms is all about. Do you mind sharing what school your daughter goes too? I think this can make a great debate. I have heard of children making straight a's in school and fail the FCAT. I do think it is stressful on them. My son Austin has been in private school his whole life until this year. He is a 6th grader in Union Academy this year and they will have a FCAT. He is so worried. I know there are some schools that just live and breath FCAT, some worse than others.
~Mother to Brandon, Austin, Ethan, Ryan and Lillian~
Posts: 2924 | Location: Bartow | Registered: 13 February 2008
I am one of those mom's whose daughter brings home straight A's and is a senior and just had to take the FCAT AGAIN because she can not pass it. She is a horrible test taker, she takes all the intensive classes to help prepare for the FCAT, and she says the class prep is not what is actually on the test. She will have 30 credits at the end of the semester, but if she doesnt pass the FCAT this time, she will not graduate, she can walk with her class and receive a certificate of completion but will not get the diploma until she passes the FCAT. She will have to return to school next year and take one course so she can take the FCAT again next year, and if she passes then the school will hand her her diploma. I think it is ridiculous to with hold the diploma, especially when they have done everything and then some to graduate, but because of that test she can move forward. We have paid for her announcements for the graduation but we dont know if she will get to use them, if she doesnt graduate, we get half of the payment back. How sweet. Sorry, but I am very aggravated with the FCAT!
Wow, Opinionated and proud, this has to be tough! It sounds like your aggravation is well deserved and I appreciate you sharing your story with other moms. I wasn't aware of the protocol of not passing.
I think if enough people really pulled together to rally against current FCAT standards, changes could be made. Our voices do matter.
~Mother to Brandon, Austin, Ethan, Ryan and Lillian~
Posts: 2924 | Location: Bartow | Registered: 13 February 2008
Originally posted by oppinionated and proud: I am one of those mom's whose daughter brings home straight A's and is a senior and just had to take the FCAT AGAIN because she can not pass it. She is a horrible test taker, she takes all the intensive classes to help prepare for the FCAT, and she says the class prep is not what is actually on the test. She will have 30 credits at the end of the semester, but if she doesnt pass the FCAT this time, she will not graduate, she can walk with her class and receive a certificate of completion but will not get the diploma until she passes the FCAT. She will have to return to school next year and take one course so she can take the FCAT again next year, and if she passes then the school will hand her her diploma. I think it is ridiculous to with hold the diploma, especially when they have done everything and then some to graduate, but because of that test she can move forward. We have paid for her announcements for the graduation but we dont know if she will get to use them, if she doesnt graduate, we get half of the payment back. How sweet. Sorry, but I am very aggravated with the FCAT!
I just had to post on this topic,go to the florida dept of education website to see alternatives for your senior,she can substitute a passing grade on ACT test if she has attempted the FCAT a certain number of times and get her diploma. I think the schools hold back on this because they want Fcat scores for every student instead of helping them graduate
You need Flash Player 8 (or higher) and JavaScript enabled to view this content
About PolkMoms.com
We know you are a busy mom and that's why we've created this site to make
your life as a parent a bit easier - as well as more fun. PolkMoms.com moderator Shawn Arnold is the mother of five children ranging from 18 months to 17 years. Her experiences include being a divorced mom, single mom, working mom, dating mom, remarried mom, stay-at-home mom, and a stepmom.
More about us and our editor
We know you are a busy mom and that's why we've created this site to make
your life as a parent a bit easier - as well as more fun. PolkMoms.com moderator Shawn Arnold is the mother of five children ranging from 18 months to 17 years. Her experiences include being a divorced mom, single mom, working mom, dating mom, remarried mom, stay-at-home mom, and a stepmom.
More about us and our editor