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FCAT Writing Time Is Here
February 12, 2008
Tuesday began the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test for Escambia students in grades four, eight and ten. Principals at schools across North Escambia say they were not worried that the big day has finally arrived because their students are ready.
“The teachers at EWMS have done an excellent job preparing the students for the FCAT,” said Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. “The students have worked hard preparing for this FCAT and I know our students will do their very best. ”
Ernest Ward was rated an “A” school by the Florida Department of Education last year. At Ernest Ward, 93 percent of students made high standards in writing last year. About 15 miles away at Carver/Century K-8 it is a different story. Just 61 percent of students made high standards in writing last year. Carver/Center was rated as a “F” school by the state last year.
“I feel confident that we are going to show some improvement from last year, Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite said.
“The more you learn, the more you earn” has become a common slogan among Garthwaite and his Carver students. The school recently held a “cash grab” awarding cold hard cash to students that show improvements on practice FCATS given late last calender year.
“We have taken the two practice FCATs, and all indications show that our students are improving,” he said. “We done as much tutoring as possible. We have held ‘FCAT chats’ one on one with students to explain their scores.”
“We have worked to give the students the confidence they need to do their best and to motivate them,” Garthwaite said. “And we will continue to do that right up to the time of the testing.”
At Northview High School, Principal Gayle Weaver says her tenth graders were ready for the writing FCAT.
“Our people have been working really, really hard,” she said. “We think we should be ready.”
Northview scored a “C” with the state last year, and Weaver said the students and faculty have been hard at work to improve that grade this year.
“Out continuous improvement model has all of our teachers involved for improvement,” she said. “They have looked at each student’s report and worked on ways to improve their scores.”
At Byrneville Elementary School, fourth grade students have been hard at work preparing for the writing FCAT. Byrneville scored a “B” with the state last year, with 72% of students meeting high standards in writing.
“We have been working hard to motivate the students,” Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan said. Last Friday, Byrneville fourth graders learned more about writing from Kent and Gloria Fox and their puppet Sally. Mr. Fox was an MCA Recording artist and is a songwriter and videographer. Mrs. Fox is children’s author and illustrator, and is a nationally recognized puppeteer. They travel to elementary and middle schools motivating students to learn writing and other skills. They also recently appeared at Bratt Elementary School.
At Ernest Ward and Carver, good FCAT grades will not go unrewarded.
“EWMS will be giving away prizes for the top score in math, reading, science, and writing in each grade level,” Gindl-Perry said. The top score for the entire school in each subject area will receive a grand prize. “After FCAT is over EWMS will celebrate with grade level field days to reward all students for their hard work and dedication.”
Carver/Century plans to hold another cash giveaway following the FCATs, Garthwaite said.
At Ernest Ward, there are other reasons for doing well on the FCAT, Gindl-Perry said, with a direct message to her students.
“The FCAT is your turn to show how good you are as students,” she said to EW students. “Students please remember – your FCAT scores will determine your placement in classes next year…double block, all year, or a semester of reading and electives.”
Students in grades six, seven and nine will take the Escambia Writes! test, a district test similar to the FCAT this week.
Round two of FCAT testing, which will include reading, math and science, will begin March 11.
Pictured above: Fourth grade students at Byrneville Elementary raise their hands to answer questions last Friday morning. Click to enlarge.
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