It must be that time of year

MARCH 05, 2008

You know that FCAT season has rolled around when Jeb Bush's Foundation for Florida's Future sends out its annual defense of the exam, which engenders so much disdain among parents and educators.

As folks bemoan kids' test anxiety and schools' teaching to the test (which the foundation assures cannot happen), the foundation goes to bat for the FCAT by pointing out things like the fact that Florida had exams before the FCAT and that, contrary to public belief, Jeb Bush didn't create the test.

The group also points out something that has to make you wonder if it's good or bad, especially if the goal is high standards: "Students must only get approximately 20 questions correct on the 10th grade math FCAT in order to receive a high school diploma. Students also get 5 opportunities to take the grade 10 FCAT in order to pass it."

That's 20 out of 50, by the way, or just 40 percent.

Don't visit schools next week. They'll be giving the FCAT.

Posted by Times Editor at 4:04:57 pm on March 05, 2008 in

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

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