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Call Him Herod: "That's what happens. . ."

FCAT looms large over graduation
A number of students around the state have yet to pass the exam. They get one more chance, in March, to qualify before commencement.

More than 1,200 high school seniors in the Tampa Bay area, and more than 12,000 statewide, are running out of chances to pass the state's FCAT test before graduation. In March, they will get their sixth and last crack at the FCAT before their class graduates.

The Class of 2003 is the first that must pass the math and reading sections of the FCAT in order to get a standard diploma. If students fail their shot in March, they can still keep trying, but they'll lose out on the chance to walk in commencement ceremonies.

As expected, students are having a tougher time passing the FCAT than they did passing the state's previous graduation test, the High School Competency Test.

"The FCAT is a more rigorous test, so we would expect students would have to work harder," said John Winn, deputy secretary of education. "That's not a bad thing. Maybe we haven't had as many rise to the challenge as we did with the HSCT -- at least at this point. But that's what happens when you raise standards."

The overall passing rate still is high.

Roughly 144,000 students took the test in March 2001 as 10th-graders. More than two-thirds passed the reading section and three-quarters passed the math. Those who passed both sections never had to take the test again. Those who failed one section, or both, got several chances to try again.

After last October's test, about 10,000 students still haven't passed the math section, compared with 36,000 two years ago. About 12,800 have yet to pass the reading section, compared with 46,000 two years ago. (The numbers are not completely comparable. Some students may have dropped out since 10th grade, and some students may be new to the state. And some students have failed both sections of the test.)

The struggles of thousands of students statewide underscore the tough side of accountability. Lawmakers, business people and educators who wanted to ensure that a high school diploma in Florida means something saw to it that the state eliminated the minimum skills graduation tests. And now the FCAT's higher standards are exacting a toll on students who want a standard diploma, but can't pass the test.

The tougher standards have resulted in one lawsuit that could lift the veil of secrecy from the state's FCAT test. A Pinellas County parent whose son failed the FCAT as a 10th-grader two years ago sued the Florida Department of Education when the department denied her request to see the student's FCAT test booklet and answer sheet. The parent wanted to see exactly what her son got right and wrong so he could pass the test the next time.

A Leon County judge ruled that the state must make the FCAT materials available. The judge's ruling was based in part on the importance of passing the test for graduation.

The case is now on appeal


— Stephen Hergarty
FCAT Looms Over Graduation
St Petersburg Times
Jan. 2, 2003
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/02/State/FCAT_looms_large_over.shtml

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