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Open up FCAT
Orlando Sentinel editorial
May 31, 2005
Our position: It's foolish for Florida to continue to keep the test's details
from the public.
Texas, Maine and Ohio all release the questions and answers to assessment tests
that students have taken. That's so the public can learn which areas need
improvement. Indeed, at least 28 states open up all or part of their high-stakes
tests to the public and share results with parents.
Incredibly, the Sunshine State continues to keep the public in the dark.
The questions and answers to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test remain a
big secret. No wonder so many teachers, parents and students are frustrated.
Once again this year, neither teachers nor students nor their parents will be
able to assess precisely where each student's weaknesses lie. At least this fall
the state will explain the type of pattern scoring it uses, awarding different
values for correct FCAT answers depending on their complexity.
That's all well and good, but it's not enough.
Gov. Jeb Bush maintains that it would be too costly to give away all the
questions and answers because it would force the state to come up with new tests
each year. That's a cop-out, particularly in a state that's flush with cash --
with an extra $2.2 billion in revenue this year.
Besides, the state has pegged the cost of redoing the test at $10 million a
year. That's hardly an extraordinary expense.
The FCAT is a valuable evaluation tool, and it should hold schools and students
accountable. But the state needs to be accountable, too.
With so much at stake, Florida needs the public's buy-in on education reform.
Secrecy remains the FCAT's worst enemy.
Copyright © 2005, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped312053105may31,0,7929826.story?coll=orl-opinion-headlines
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