From the bradenton Times, by Christine Sket
Imagine being a 10-year-old in Florida. No longer are your worries about playing sports, riding your bike, minding your manners, getting decent grades and behaving at school.
Today, your worries are: getting a 3 or higher on the FCAT, getting enough rest for the FCAT, not doing anything during FCAT week and, if you don't pass the FCAT, you will be retained. Welcome to high-stakes testing.
The testing is administered under high pressure for performance. Students from third grade to 12th are now responsible for the following: teacher's performance, principal's performance, school district's performance, school grades, property values and other economical factors.
Last year the Manatee County school district earned a B grade, above average. The Florida Legislature and FLDOE decided that too many students in Florida were making gains and our schools were looking a little "too good."
This was bad for their well known and publicized commitment to privatize education. So a harder test was created using the same testing company, Pearson. A harder scoring system was put in place as insurance that students would not perform as well no matter how hard the teachers and students worked.
Little League was cancelled this week along with other programs kids participate in due to FCAT high-stakes testing. Imagine being a kid.
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/18/4002640/floridas-tougher-fcat-heightens.html#storylink=cpy
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