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Blog: FCAR
Speakout
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Trapped and labeled by one test -- a Pasco teacher's story
Last year, I had an amazing 8th grade student--straight A, hard-working,
eager, motivated...all around wonderful student and person. She was placed in
the intensive reading class at school based on her 7th grade stores, much to the
chagrin of her mother but at the strong suggestion of the reading specialist.
Mallory (the student) was one of those rare gems that really LEARNS. I always
awed and admired seeing her really apply the strategies taught in Language Arts
and Intensive Reading. She was a thinker--would ask and ponder some really meaty
questions. She implemented even some of the most challenging vocabulary words
into her everyday speech and writing (even with friends!). She studied for an
aced every vocabulary quiz and literature test put in front of her.
But then FCAT's came around. These tests make Mallory nervous, but because she'd
been so successful all year, she felt confident. When scores came back, I did a
double-triple-quadruple take. She didn't pass. And when I showed her the score
on the score report, it broke my heart. And then she cried.
At the end of the year and over summer, I was in contact with her mother and the
high school. I had recommended Mallory for English I Honors--and we were all
afraid she would be withdrawn from the honors because of the score (according to
policy). Luckily, the principal assured me he would not take her out of the
course based on her score. Mallory was crushed and her mother was equally
distraught. We all know this kid is just amazing and so incredibly capable, but
she's trapped and labeled because she can't pass one stupid test.
Situations like this make it so clear how one single measure at only one moment
in time can't offer the same beauty as REAL education and honest assessment over
time.
I'm lucky to come from a school that isn't 100% FCAT driven, but if the test
were removed, I'd have more time to teach what REALLY matters. -- August 2005
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