Itâs time we take back our schools in the State of Florida.
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) has had drastic negative effects on Floridaâs schools and students. Rather than serving as sanctuaries of learning and creativity in a democratic society, over the past few decades, schools have degraded into âtesting factoriesâ disconnected from the needs of students. Though assessments and tests can serve a vital purpose in public education as a diagnostic tool, our State places far too much emphasis on their importance.
Unfortunately, schools in the State of Florida no longer think of success on standardized tests as the byproduct of a good education. Instead, a good education is perceived as the byproduct of success on standardized test. In other words, schools now work for the FCAT; rather than vice versa.
As a State, we spend so much time judging our students that we forget the true meaning of education and learning. For any student who has completed the public education system in the State of Florida, you can attest to this testing culture. Very rarely do schools in our state attempt to innovate. And very rarely do students have a voice or a choice in the education they consume.
Today, I ask the following questions to any student who has recently graduated from a public school in the State of Florida:
Did the FCAT inspire you?
Did the FCAT promote creativity?
Did the FCAT introduce you to new ideas or concepts?
Did the FCAT enhance your education?
Did the FCAT measure your âcreativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrityâ?
Did the FCAT measure your ability to dance, to sing, to write poetry, to paint, to build?
Did the FCAT help you learn?
If the answer to these questions is âNoâ, please help us take back our schools in the State of Florida and demand that the State Legislature drastically reform the FCAT or remove State wide standardized testing entirely from the Stateâs public schools.
