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It’s FCAT Week
March 8, 2010
FCAT testing begins Tuesday morning in schools across North Escambia. Students in grades three through 10 will take the reading and math portions this week, while grades five, eight, and 10 will also take the science portion.
The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to measure what they know and are able to accomplish in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The test is part of Florida’s plan to improve student achievement. It measures challenging content standards, called the Sunshine State Standards.
The Sunshine State Standards are broad statements that describe what a child should know and be able to do at every grade level. These standards cover seven content areas: social studies, science, language arts, health/physical education, the arts, foreign language, and mathematics. The standards are divided into smaller units called “benchmarks,” which outline the specific content, knowledge, and skills that students are expected to learn in school. Each student’s performance on FCAT Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science tests indicates his or her progress in reaching these benchmarks.
In a recent newsletter sent home to parents, Bratt Elementary offered several tips for parents and students for the all important FCAT test:
- Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Staying up late at night increases anxiety, which interferes with clear thinking
- Eat for Success. A hearty breakfast with seven to ten grams of fiber will keep your child from getting jittery from a sugar high, or later bottoming out when the insulin goes up.
- Relax. If your child is too nervous he/she may forget what he/she knows. Stretching and/or breathing deeply helps to focus the mind.
- Wear comfortable clothes. If your child is comfortable, he/she will be less distracted and better able to focus on the tasks given.
- Drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water will help keep the body hydrated and alert.
- Don’t forget to give your child a big hug on test days. This will increase his/her sense of well-being and energy.
Students are not permitted to have any electronic device on their person or within reach during the test that reproduces, transmits, calculates or records. Prohibited items include cellphones. Any student who violates this policy will have his FCAT test invalidated.
If a student starts a test and leaves without finishing (for an appointment, illness, etc.), he/she will NOT be allowed to complete the test. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made once the student leaves the school’s campus.
If a student arrives at school after the test begins, he/she will not be admitted to the testing site. The student will be required to sit in the office until testing is finished for the day.
Comments
5 Responses to “It’s FCAT Week”
I think many people would be thrilled if they got rid of the FCAT. I have noticed that it seems the teachers have to “jump around” covering many subjects in too short of a short period of time. Seems to me that before the kids even get a good grasp on one concept, they have to move on to another subject in order to cover all the materials in time for the test.
I do want to say that I think the way Bratt preps the students as far as getting enough sleep, what to eat and wear and how to deal with the stress of test taking is carried out really well. Thanks to the Principal, teachers and all the staff for that!
I saw on the news a few weeks ago, that the Fcat may be fazed out. It had to go before the Florida House or Senate for a final vote. Does anyone know if it passed?
I think we would all do well to get rid of it. Right now my kids attend a private school and they have to take a standardized test. The school does not make a big deal about it. To the kids it;s just another day at shcool and another test.
To much pressure is being put on kids for the fcat. My nephew had to take part of the test while he was sick. Not to mention, I called one of the schools today to ask some general information, and I was told to call back next week when Fcat was over.
The schools have to follow the rules as they are set up for the administration of this test. If your child is sick and you think they are too sick be able to sit and finish the test, it would be better to keep them at home and let them make the test up on the make up days. That is allowed. But if they have to leave during the test, they don’t get to finish it later. Some things in life can’t be planned for though and there’s no use worrying about it what you can’t change. Encourage them to do well, don’t pressure them and parents need to relax too. Just do the best you can and most things will work out in the end.
I agree whitepunknotondope, it’s alot to also do with the schools making more money as well; more than educating our children the way they need to be educated.
STATEMENT: If a student starts a test and leaves without finishing (for an appointment, illness, etc.), he/she will NOT be allowed to complete the test. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made once the student leaves the school’s campus
OPINION: I really feel that this is taking it way out of proportion here!!! I guess all of us parents better start praying to god that our children do not get sick, start throwing up, having diahrea, running high fever, having asthma attacks, having a seizer etc… and have to be rushed to a doctor, because they want to take the rights away from our children for being able to take this test, if they have to leave the school campus…
I feel sorry for educators, having to tow the line with this standardized testing crap. Teachers these days spend way too much time teaching for test-taking and not enough time giving quality education. Thank your state and Federal government for this travesty.