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Blog: FCAR
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WMFE In-Depth - FCAT Under the Microscope
Beginning Monday, June 5, the 90.7 WMFE-FM news team will provide a five-day
FCAT Under the Microscope series, which includes interviews, commentaries and
news reports. Following is a current schedule. If you are outside the broadcast
area, you can listen online from the station's website:
http://www.wmfe.org. (Click on "Listen Live"
in upper right of the web site.)
Monday, June 5 – Judith Smelser, reporter for 90.7 WMFE-FM, introduces
the In-Depth series by examining the debate over high-stakes testing in Florida
and of the FCAT in particular. She speaks with a veteran Orange County teacher
who left her job in protest against the tests. She also interviews people who
feel just as strongly that the FCAT helps elevate Florida’s public education.
The report is scheduled to air at 6:33 a.m. and repeat at 8:33 a.m. and 5:44
p.m.
At 7:33 a.m., John Curtis, president of IOD, Inc., will discuss how the FCAT
impacts education and the workforce available for local businesses.
Tuesday, June 6 – David Pitman, 90.7 FM’s Morning Edition host, explores
how entrepreneurs, locally and nationally, are profiting from “FCAT mania” by
providing goods and services to nervous parents and students anxious about
taking the comprehensive test. Listen for the report at 6:33 a.m. and again at
8:33 a.m. and 5:44 p.m.
At 7:33 a.m., Economist Dr. Hank Fishkind with Fishkind & Associates addresses
the economic issues of the FCAT in Central Florida.
Wednesday, June 7 – Dick Batchelor of Dick Batchelor Management Group,
Lou Frey of Lowndes, Drostick, Doster, Kantor and Reed and Pat Duggins, news
director for 90.7 FM will speak on the government’s involvement in implementing
comprehensive testing to assure children are learning what they need to in order
to graduate. The commentary will air at 7:33 a.m.
Pat Duggins reports on the issue of the language standardized tests are
administered in and a solution one community has developed. In Florida, the FCAT
is given in English. Immigrant students, close to graduation, who do not speak
English fluently, are exempted from the test. In Quebec, Canada, the
comprehensive tests are administered in French. Immigrant children who do not
know French are required to take a controversial language immersion program.
Even critics of the system admit it works. Duggins traveled to Montreal for the
report. The story will air at 6:33 a.m. and again at 8:33 a.m. and 5:44 p.m.
Judith Smelser hosts the On the Line call-in program at 6:30 p.m. Click here to
submit questions on the Web or call in to 866-338-5252. The hour-long program
will feature guests who will discuss the pros and cons of the FCAT and will
address the comments and questions of the callers.
Thursday, June 8 – Pat Duggins investigates the controversy of merit pay,
where teachers are given bonuses based on their students’ performance on the
FCAT. The story will air at 7:33 a.m. and will repeat at 5:44 p.m.
David Pitman reports on a little known exemption: learning-disabled students are
not required to take the FCAT. The report is slated to air at 6:33 a.m. and
again at 8:33 a.m.
Friday, June 9 – Judith Smelser reports on the development of a
standardized test for music students. As the state’s emphasis on assessment
testing grows, the Florida Music Educators Association is leading the charge to
assist music teachers in quantifying their student’s achievements in this highly
subjective discipline. The story will air at 7:33 a.m. and again at 5:44 p.m.
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