Blog: FCAR Speakout

By Chris Peters

Parent, Brevard County

February 1st, 2007

My name is Chris Peters. I am a parent of two children in Brevard County, 4th and 2nd grades. I am looking for ways to protest the stress being placed on my children by the inordinate emphasis placed
on the FCAT.

My 4th grader is in the GSP program and I am learning recently that they are spending a good amount of time preparing for the FCAT writes. While my 4th grader is brilliant in some areas, writing is not one of them. He was reduced to tears last night while we discussed his behavior in class with respect to writing assignments. When I mentioned the FCAT writing test, he almost had a break down. He has developed a nervous tick of picking sores on his arms, which I believe is directly tied to the stress of the upcoming FCAT written test. He is terrified. Something is terribly wrong when a child is reduced to tears at the very mention of a test.

I'd like to echo something mentioned by (another parent), "Also, my son is in the gifted program and he is bored to death." I also think my 4th grader feels this way. The GSP class was supposed to be an outlet for his unique abilities. A way to challenge him in the areas he excels in. Right now it appears to be an FACT writing prep class.

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Last modified: 06/15/08