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FYI. BTW, I thought that recent article in the Orlando Sentinel, allegedly about what FL 4th graders are required to know, was nothing but a hit piece.

I read that story. I agree, a hit piece.

I'm glad to read some of the positive results with the F-CAT. I've always thought the F-CAT program was at least worth trying. Many of the parents in my neighborhood dislike it intensly. Their number one complaint? Their children spend too much time studying to pass that stupid test, instead of learning regular things, lol.

I'm afraid they just don't get it. The children are learning what every child should learn, READING, WRITING and ARITHMETIC. We are back to the basics (at least in the years the tests are required), which in turn will give the children a great base to build upon in the future. All of this is being accomplished without going through the NEA to get permission to change the curriculum to boot!

I'd like the program better if they were tested more often (less time spent on socialist gobbly gook). Maybe someday in the future we will be able to say that 90% of the children scored 5's or better. I think we are finally heading in the right direction.

I think we are finally heading in the right direction.

Thanks so much for your post, ladylurker. And, I agree with you -- I think we are heading in the right direction. I took tests as a kid. Every year. No big deal.

Also, as a FL certified teacher, I can tell you that students of ALL ages become INTENSELY interested inacquiring test-taking skills when you explain to them the following: you must take and pass a test to get your DRIVER'S LICENSE someday, to get your PILOT's license, your BOATING license, etc. Kids want to drive, fly, ride, everything! And, some of them are shocked that a TEST is required before you can do these things! Suddenly, they WANT to know all about how to ace a test. It is not tough getting kids interested.

Also, I think the F-CAT is a good test and getting better, in that students are required to EXPLAIN how they arrived at answers in the math portion of the test. It is not just "pick a or b or c" -- it is SHOW YOUR WORK AS PART OF THE TEST. That is a very different task than closing your eyes and choosing a letter!

With respect to parents, I think some parents are getting brainwashed by the same forces that often brainwash teachers -- however, I think anyone who has been trained as teacher and tells the truth, KNOWS that ASSESSMENT really IS part of teaching. End of story!!! :)