FCAT Warning For Students, Parents: No Cell Phones, No Cameras

April 11, 2011

It’s FCAT 2.0 week in Florida. There are several important things for students and parents to remember prior to the FCAT test, according to Gayle Hanks, guidance counselor at Ernest Ward Middle School, including the importance of a good night’s sleep tonight.

Also, students must not have a cell phone or any other electronic device “within arm’s reach” even if the device is not visible, according to Hanks. Students should not have cell phones in their pockets, clipped to their belts, at their desks, or anywhere they can be easily accessed during testing. If they do, their entire FCAT test will be invalidated.

Students can leave their cell phones or other electronic devices in the office at their school or with their teacher prior to the test, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said.

Some other important FCAT points on this day before the big writing test, according to Hanks:

  • 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

6 Responses to “FCAT Warning For Students, Parents: No Cell Phones, No Cameras”

  1. ProudArmyParent on April 13th, 2011 7:16 pm

    art, that is the rule. Cell phone must stay out of sight otherwise they get taken. I will however stand by students having them, especially athletes. My daughter ran track and went to Tallahassee for the state finals. When they returned at 3 am the coach at the time would not open the school for my daughter to call us for her pick up. The coach actually made her take a ride from a parent she did not know and we didn’t know (a male parent at that who drop his own daughter off first before bring mine home!). I had to go up to the school the next day to show my tail (it was not pretty!) So yeah if a student is an athlete and does not drive yet a cell is a smart move.

  2. Jay Parent on April 12th, 2011 11:02 am

    My daughter, who is a senior, was told that the seniors could come in at 10:45 but the school would not provide transportation. The school would “excuse” the days missed. They said it was because there is nothing for them to do -FOR THREE DAYS!!!! Come On!

  3. mary on April 12th, 2011 5:48 am

    My son came home yesterday & told me he finished a test in 15 min & had nothing to do while waiting for the test to be over. I asked why he didnt bring a book to read..he told me he was not allowed…It’s a book & he would be READING…can he bring a book or not?

  4. art on April 12th, 2011 5:23 am

    Terri Sanders,
    i read you loud and clear! cell phones have no use in a classroom other than being a distraction. if the kiddos insist on taking them to school, they should stay in the lockers until after school. if they come out during class, they need to be taken by the teacher and returned after school. if it happens a second time, the parents have to come and retrieve it. ridiculous!

  5. tired on April 11th, 2011 2:38 pm

    Perhaps it’s time for Ms. Sanders to go on another long walk….

  6. Terri Sanders on April 11th, 2011 1:30 pm

    I have never figured out why they are allowed to even have cell phones in the class.they can text all day without disrupting the class,and not pay attention to what is being taught