My DS's friend didn't pass the FCAT

[RitaZ.]

His mom called today to talk to me about it. The thing that doesn't make any sense to us is that he is earning A's in reading and math, yet he didn't pass the FCAT. It makes no sense... How can a student earn high grades, yet not score at least in the 25% percentile on the FCAT?

I know that in order to be promoted to the next grade, a student must pass the FCAT. His parents are confused to say the least, and have already set up a conference to speak to his teachers.

 

[mommyseven]

This is all too common and one of the major flaws with the FCAT. Some children do not test well. Many often select random answers due to the boredom of the testing. Florida students are tested excessively, and while the FCAT scores are getting better, their overall education has not improved. Teachers spend the year "teaching the test", which is not their fault; it is the fault of the system.

More than likely this child will be retained. At some points they do retest. If this is an opportunity, I would suggest that the child does indeed retest.

 

[Miss Cleo]

Miss Cleo has made an error. It doesn't happen often.

 

[MosMom]

I actually saw a documentary about how there is a big problem with tests being graded wrong. There are so many tests now and not enough test grading companies to keep up with demand. It is resulting in many mistakes.

They talked to families where the parents demanded to see the key and they found the key didn't match the correct answers. I would suggest his parents talk with the school and ask to see the key.

 

[RitaZ.]

"Miss Cleo", you are too funny!

I just read up on the promotion criteria for grades 6-9 and passing the FCAT is definitely part of the equation. I'm sure that his parents will ask for further proof, in case any mistakes were made. As it stands right now, it's not looking positive for DS's friend.

 

[JDY]

Standardized Tests are inherently unfair.

 

[RitaZ.]

I wonder if any teachers can share their experiences about this type of problem. Are the students really retained?

I ask this because my best friend in a neighboring county (Palm Beach) told me that her DS's middle school has a class for students that didn't pass the FCAT. She said that it's not widely publicized, but the class is there specifically for this purpose. According to what she said, it's definitely not tutoring for those specific parts of the test that the students didn't pass or earned a low score.

 

[mommyseven]

A local newspaper reported that 18 percent of third graders taking the FCAT for the first time (32,500) may not get promoted. Last year it was 43000. In Pensacola, Fl., 767 third graders failed last year. Approximately 280 were allowed to go on to fourth grade based on other standardized test scores or summer school. This means that about 487 were retained.

 

[RitaZ.]

Mommyseven, then there is a possibility that he may be promoted on to 7th grade. I guess it's not as "black and white" as it's made out to be. I really hope it works out for him.

 

[TEENEE]

It's my understanding that if the child doesn't pass but is in a certain range ( I don't know what that range is) the child can be promoted based on class work.

I can't stand these tests. As it was mentioned before, the teachers spend most of the year "teaching the test". It's not fair to the kids or the teachers.

 

[Gwene65]

Do all states have some sort of standerdized testing?
I grew up in Cali and we took a test there but it was in NO way as fanatical as the FCAT is in Florida.

I think this form of testing is unfair and isn't helping our kids learn anything. My cousin is in high school and she has a whole class of FCAT Prep. She says she does nothing all period long AND since they already took the FCAT, the rest of the year is watching movies.

Give me a freaking break!

 

[piglet too]

If he is a good student otherwise, I think it would be unfair to keep him back just for the low FCAT. My son is so bored in class, everything is easy for him. However due to his standardized tests, he does not qualify for the "advanced" classes. Some kids just do not test well, no matter how smart they are. Maybe he can re-test, as he could have been feeling ill that day.

 

[Robinrs]

My son is an example of the kind of kid who doesn't test well. He freezes up during standardized testing while getting As and Bs in school!

This year in Georgia the CRCT was the test that decided if 3rd Graders were to be promoted. They must grade better than "meets expectations" to go to the 4th grade. Holding something like that over the heads of 8 to 9yo children is so unbelievably cruel. My son told me that some of the kids were so nervous they started crying during the test! Thank God Michael is not in the 3rd grade because it would've just driven him crazy!

Something has got to be done about these tests. I grew up with the Regents in NY and we were constantly told they were a test for the "teachers" to make sure we were learning the cirriculum. It seems the only ones who are being graded now are the schools and the kids, with the kids coming in dead last.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I also live in FL and we take the FCATs here. There are three grades where retention is mandatory for failing the FCAT. I know for sure that 3rd & 10thare the retention grades(and I know for sure that 4th and 5th are not). But I don't know if there is a mandatory retention in middle school. Maybe 8th grade?

Our school has had the distinction for 2 years in a row of having every single child pass the 3rd grade FCAT. We're the only one in our district who can say that! DS will be in 3rd grade next year and I must admit that it is worrisome.

A friends DS has just repeated the 3rd grade this year because he failed the FCAT last year. He's failed it again this year and they want to retain him again which I didn't think was allowed but I guess it is. His mom is fighting it this time. He gets As and Bs on his report card so it's very frustrating for her.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

http://www.firn.edu/doe/faq/promotion.htm

DD is in 3rd grade so I know that 3rd graders had to have a level 2 or above in reading to be promoted. If they had a level 1 they can take summer school and SAT9 to retest their reading skills and determine promotion. A level 3 is average so level one kids really are not reading well and should get extra help, IMHO. I think at the other grade levels if kids score below 35% (?) they can take a remedial class in the next grade level. DS is in middle school and I have heard of such a thing. I am not certain the criteria, but FCAT is not a sole indicator for retention in MS. Other indicators are looked at too. There is also the HS test they must pass to graduate.

My DD's class spent about 4 weeks preparing for FCAT in addition to their normal studies. It was no big deal and her school scored well on the FCAT. DS's 7th grade class did no real prep in Language arts and minimal in math.

No, I don't like all the aspects of FCAT. There are positives and negatives to testing, but hey-they will be taking standardized test until college.

 

[mt2]

Here in TX we have something similiar called TASK (Tx assessment of Skills and Knowledge).
my DD's (9, and 3rd grade) had to take the math portion in April and the reading in March. It is the same with FL that if you don't pass you don't go to the 4th grade. We are still waiting for the results on the reading portion.

The students are given three times to pass each section. If they don't pass it on the first try then they will go to summer school to pass the last try in July.

So far I'm glad that my DD's haven't inherited my gift of freezing on tests. I was a straight A student until I took a test. I would almost always fail. I would probably still be in the 3rd grade now with my daughters if the criteria was the same.

happy Thoughts to all

mt2

 

[pkasbohm]

I'm sorry if this sounds like a dumb question but what is FCAT testing? Here in Nebraska they do some standard testing but it does not affect if they get to move on to the next grade level.
Here it is more of the teachers choice if they think the child is ready to move on. Just kinda curious as to what kind of testing that is?
Thanks,
Pam

 

[RitaZ.]

Pam,

Here is a link if you'd like to read more about it.

http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat.htm

 

[jeleebeene]

That is really weird!! When I was in school, if we got good grades, we passed to the next grade level, we didn't have to take a test that determined that.

I grew up in Northern Indiana, and while I haven't heard if that changed, it just seems cruel. If a child is getting good grades, then they should automatically go on to the next grade.

I am not a good test taker, and may never be, but if I had to rely on a test to determine if I would go on to the next grade level, I would have failed being under that stress.

I hope that something is worked out and he is not held back - that would just not be right - but that is my opinion.

 

[Poohbear123]

My BF had to cancel her Disney Vacation due to her DD not passing the FCAT! Now, she MIGHT be able to pass if she takes a reading/math course for the Month of June. She does real well in class, but did not do well on the FCAT!