The “dreaded” Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) began again on March 9th for students across the state, including those at Evans High School in Orlando. Administered to students in Grades 3-11, testing takes place in reading, mathematics and science for the next ten days and results will determine those that would head to fourth grade and those who will graduate.
Evans High School students have spent months preparing for the test and to help provide encouragement, faculty and staff create a Spirit Tunnel at the bus loop each morning of FCAT testing. As students arrive, they are cheered on as they begin their day of testing.
The school’s leadership has said that, Evans High students have made substantial gains over the past several years and it’s anticipated that 2010 FCAT performance will even be better.
But perhaps, students may have less to fear as Florida high schools could start phasing out the FCAT, under legislation approved by a panel of lawmakers last month.
There are several changes being introduced to the state’s educational structure which could see the elimination of the FCAT math exam for students in grades 9 and 10 and the FCAT high school science exam, while at the same time increasing the course requirements students need to graduate.
