Just how tough is the FCAT? [Take these sample tests, Grades 3-10, from the FL Dept of Education!]

The Sun Sentinel ^ | Feb. 2003 | Sun-Sentinel

[summer]

Just how tough is the FCAT?

Sun-Sentinel

Ever wonder just how tough the dreaded FCAT really is? To give you a glimpse of what your child needs to know, the Florida Department of Education has assembled a collection of sample tests that you can browse -- or take, if you dare....

To see the sample FCAT questions and answer links for reading, math and science in grades 3-10, scroll down to the end of the article after clicking here.

[summer]

RE your post #55 -- Interesting comments, Claire. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, I too have noticed that cooking keeps certain facts in the mind. I've taught kids in the past in classes who tell me they hate math -- and especially fractions -- but bring in a crockpot and a recipe, and suddenly fractions are in vogue. :)

[Bob J]

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[summer]

RE your post #55 -- Interesting comments, Claire. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, I too have noticed that cooking keeps certain facts in the mind. In the past I've taught kids who tell me they hate math -- and especially fractions -- but bring in a crockpot and a recipe, and suddenly fractions are in vogue. :)

[summer]

Hi Amore, Yes, I agree with you on that. I wrote an editorial awhile back show three FL newspapers agreeing with you as well. I'll try to post a link for you.

[summer]

Hi Amore, Yes, I agree with you on that. I wrote an editorial awhile back showing three FL newspapers agreeing with you as well. I'll try to post a link for you.

[summer]

Here it is:

FL Newspapers Finding It Tougher To Criticize Jeb on Education

And, from above link -- here's the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Thomas, a liberal-turned-FL swing voter, as he voted for Jeb (the first time Mike ever voted for a GOP candidate!):

"In fact, as much as he appears to be the Great White Republican Governor, Bush's education program primarily benefits poor minorities."

[Future Snake Eater]

It's good to see this stuff. Truthfully, though, I'm not too surprised. I was homeschooled for the majority of my grade-school life, except for a brief stint in four separate public schools in fourth grade. Alabama and Tennessee were absolute cakewalks, California was OK (loved the scheduled recess times, though), but Florida...Florida was by far the most difficult public school I ever went to. Loads of homework in math and social studies. They take it pretty seriously over there, I can truly attest to that.

[summer]

Thanks for your thoughtful post, Future Snake Eater. Yes, FL very much supports homeschooling, but, it IS tough.

I was at a Barnes and Noble awhile ago and outside, a little boy was talking to his dad and his dad's adult friends, and one friend asked the boy:

"SO, which state has harder schools? Florida or New York?"
At that point, the other adults stopped whatever they were doing for a moment and looked at this boy who kept eating his brownie. After tihs very noticable pause from the entire adult group, one guy then said to the boy, "WHAT?? FLorida is harder? Are you sure? In what way?"

And the little kid started to tell him: "Here you have to do more math, and explain it..."

I realized this little kid was trying to explain to these people the FCAT type of math questions, which are not answered by: close your eyes and bubble something in. You have to show the work. You have to be ABLE to demonstrate what you claim.

Well, suffice to say: these adult guys were aghast that the little boy had no difficulty in choosing FL as the place with higher standards.

Finally, this is a true story. It was very entertaining for me, a FL teacher, to watch this episode and overhear what was being said by the little boy and then see the shocked looks of the adults, as if the little boy had said a dirty word or something. Truly, it was very amusing. :)

[summer]

I meant: Thanks for your thoughtful post, Future Snake Eater. Yes, FL very much supports homeschooling, and, it IS tough in FL public schools.

I was at a Barnes and Noble awhile ago and outside, a little boy was talking to his dad and his dad's adult friends, and one friend asked the boy:

"SO, which state has harder schools? Florida or New York?"
At that point, the other adults stopped whatever they were doing for a moment and looked at this boy who kept eating his brownie. After tihs very noticable pause from the entire adult group, one guy then said to the boy, "WHAT?? FLorida is harder? Are you sure? In what way?"

And the little kid started to tell him: "Here you have to do more math, and explain it..."

I realized this little kid was trying to explain to these people the FCAT type of math questions, which are not answered by: close your eyes and bubble something in. You have to show the work. You have to be ABLE to demonstrate what you claim.

Well, suffice to say: these adult guys were aghast that the little boy had no difficulty in choosing FL as the place with higher standards.

Finally, this is a true story. It was very entertaining for me, a FL teacher, to watch this episode and overhear what was being said by the little boy and then see the shocked looks of the adults, as if the little boy had said a dirty word or something. Truly, it was very amusing. :)

[summer]

I meant: Thanks for your thoughtful post, Future Snake Eater. Yes, FL very much supports homeschooling, and, it IS tough in FL public schools.

I was at a Barnes and Noble awhile ago and outside, a little boy was talking to his dad and his dad's adult friends, and one friend asked the boy:

"SO, which state has harder schools? Florida or New York?"

And the little boy said: "Oh, Florida is MUCH harder."

At that point, the other adults stopped whatever they were doing for a moment and looked at this boy who kept eating his brownie. After tihs very noticable pause from the entire adult group, one guy then said to the boy, "WHAT?? FLorida is harder? Are you sure? In what way?"

And the little kid started to tell him: "Here you have to do more math, and explain it..."

I realized this little kid was trying to explain to these people the FCAT type of math questions, which are not answered by: close your eyes and bubble something in. You have to show the work. You have to be ABLE to demonstrate what you claim.

Well, suffice to say: these adult guys were aghast that the little boy had no difficulty in choosing FL as the place with higher standards.

Finally, this is a true story. It was very entertaining for me, a FL teacher, to watch this episode and overhear what was being said by the little boy and then see the shocked looks of the adults, as if the little boy had said a dirty word or something. Truly, it was very amusing. :)

[summer]

Sorry about the triple post there. I finally got it right on the 3rd post. :)

[Future Snake Eater]

I remember being given a sheet of multiplication tables from 0x0 to 12x12. The other kids at my table were aghast that I could finish it in about 2 minutes flat...except for one girl...I could never freakin' beat her! Thus began my competitive spirit, I guess.

I can honestly say that I wouldn't have as much of a problem putting one of my kids in a Florida public school as I would just about anywhere else (I still prefer homeschooling though).

[summer]

BTTT. :)

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Pinging this to myself for tomorrow :)

Thanks Summer.

[bfree]

What the hell, they give them a formula sheet. We had to know those formulas and theorem before the test.

[summer]

My pleasure. :)

[Kj4real]

i am a tenth grade student in Florida and i think that the scores should be a reference not a passing decision my Little sister in 3rd grade was held back she became severely depressed. i think that i did well on the fcat today the first day of testing but theres math so any just email me at kjkj1397@go.com for a reference that test is super stress full:(