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FCAT Writing Test Begins Today, A Look At North Escambia Schools
February 10, 2009
Today is big day for fourth, eighth and 10th-graders in North Escambia — it is the first day of the annual FCAT writing test for students in those grades.
The stakes are high at Bratt Elementary, Carver/Century K-8 School, Molino Park Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle School and Northview High School.
The FCAT scores are factored into a school’s grade assigned by the Florida Department of Education.
Many opponents to FCAT testing have cited poor socio-economic status as a reason for low for scores in schools. Details for each North Escambia school are below, along with the percentage of student that qualify for free or reduced price lunches and the percentage of minority students in the school.
Bratt Elementary has been an “A” rated school since 2001-2002 and was last year’s highest performing school in Escambia County. That was a drastic improvement from 1998-1999 when Bratt was ranked as a “D” school. At Bratt, 62 percent of the students take part in the free or reduced price lunch program, and 21 percent are classified as minority.
Carver/Century K-8 improved to a “B” last school year after being ranked as an “F” school in 2006-2007 and a “D” school three years prior. At Carver/Century, 93 percent recieve free or reduced price lunches, and 84 percent of the students are minority.
Byrneville Elementary has been ranked as an “A” school each year since 2002-2003, except for 2006-2007 when they slipped to a “B” ranking. At Bryneville, 56 percent receive free or reduced price meals, and 12 percent are minority.
Molino Park Elementary has been ranked as an “A” school by the state since 2003-2004. At Molino Park, 53 percent recieve free or reduced price meals, and 16 percent of the students are minority.
At Ernest Ward Middle School, the school has been rated as an “A” school for the past three school years, having improved from a “B” rating in 2004-2005 and a “C” rating in 2003-2004. At Ernest Ward, 50 percent of the students receive free or reduced price lunches, and 17 percent of the students are minority.
Northview High School improved to a “B” school last year school. Northview was ranked as a “C” school nine years prior. At Northview, 44 percent of the students receive free or reduced price lunches, and 22 percent of the students are classified as minority.
Comments
7 Responses to “FCAT Writing Test Begins Today, A Look At North Escambia Schools”
Surprised, honestly, do you even read what you write before you write it? In what point in anyone’s life will the need to know Author’s Purpose. I completely disagree with FCAT. TD has the right idea. To many times have seventh grade children had flawless report cards make a fluke on FCAT and been forced to repeat the grade they had worked so hard to pass. As for life being all about pressure: WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! Whatever “reality” you live in is twisted. Children are already pressured enough trying to keep up with regular lessons. All the hear is FCAT, FCAT, FCAT, and by the time it gets here, the kids are ready to blow their brains out. While I believe that FCAT makes a nice “review” of the passing year, but not all topics that may be on the FCAT are always covered, and then what? Just guess and hope you don’t screw up? How is that learning? I completely agree with TD. The emphasis and and pressure associated with FCAT need to be done away with.
I live in the world of reality. Just by reading the comments on this topic, I rest my case about the necessity of knowing how to write correctly–using proper grammar and punctuation skills as well as writing coherently. And yes, I am also aware of testing in other areas.
TD you are right about theemphasis on this test. There have been students that where honor students at schools that did not get the coorect score on this test and were in jeporady of not graduating. This happened in Santa rosa county. The score that a school gets is also a reflection on how much funding they get from the state. This is one reason the schools push it so hard.
Yes I am very serious!!!!!!!!!! They get enough testing in the classroom on a daily and weekly basis, that this FCAT is rediculous. And no, life is not all about pressure. I myself try not to be under any pressure, and I certainly don’t want my children to have to be under any. Don’t know what its like in your world. Also its not just the writing ,as you put it. Its the whole FCAT testing… math, reading, science,etc.
I think the FCAT is a little extreme, but I do like the fact that not only does it require the students to focus more on their academics it helps the teacher remain focused also. When there are checks and balances in place we all seem to pay attention a little more and this test is one of those checks and balances. We have wonderful teachers in the Northend and that is why the Alabama parents want to send their children to our schools. I can’t blame them and am proud of our district.
TD, surely you can’t be serious. Life is all about pressure. Knowing how to put words together coherently will always be beneficial. I cannot think of any profession that does not require writing. Practice is necessary in writing–and in using correct grammar. That is why the test is given at certain grade levels. I would hope that all parents would teach their children the importance of writing well. Certainly, the improved “grades” of the aforementioned schools is proof enough.
I feel like they put way too much emphasis on this test (FCAT). You can be a straight A student in every subject, but make the wrong score on the FCAT and you could possibly be repeating the same grade. This test puts too much pressure on a child. Some kids may not take tests well (test anxiety). All year long they hear FCAT, got to get ready for the FCAT, going to practice for the FCAT. I think this is too much.